Iron oxide-carbon core-shell nanoparticles for dual-modal imaging-guided photothermal therapy

Abstract

Nanostructured materials that have low tissue toxicity, multi-modal imaging capability and high photothermal conversion efficiency have great potential to enable image-guided near infrared (NIR) photothermal therapy (PTT). Here, we report a bifunctional nanoparticle (BFNP, ~16 nm) comprised of a magnetic Fe3O4core (~9.1 nm) covered by a fluorescent carbon shell (~3.4 nm) and prepared via a one-pot solvothermal synthesis method using ferrocene as the sole source. The BFNP exhibits excitation wavelength-tunable, upconverted and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence property due to the presence of the carbon shell, and superparamagnetic behavior resulted from the Fe3O4 core. BFNPs demonstrate dual-modal imaging capacity both in vitro and in vivo with fluorescent imaging excited under a varying wavelength from 405 nm to 820 nm and with T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (r2 = 264.76 mM −1 s−1). More significantly, BFNPs absorb and convert NIR light to heat enabling photothermal therapy as demonstrated mice bearing C6 glioblastoma. These BFNPs show promise as an advanced nanoplatform to provide imaging guided photothermal therapy.

Optically responsive delivery platforms: from the design considerations to biomedical applications

“…Apart from MRI, the additional functionalisation of IONPs with carbon can provide fluorescence properties enabling dual-modal imaging. Wang et al [157] developed multifunctional carriers that comprised Fe 3 O 4 as a core material and carbon as a shell material. These carriers exhibited NIR, upconverted, and wavelength-tunable fluorescence properties.…”

“…These carriers exhibited NIR, upconverted, and wavelength-tunable fluorescence properties. The multimodal imaging and PTT were probed on mice bearing C6 glioblastoma and resulted in improved tumour therapy [157]. In another study, Wang et al [158] combined magnetic and upconversion properties in one particulate system for PDT.…”

“…This process is accomplished by the structural changes in the micellar structure upon light irradiation. The typical photoisomerisation molecules, which are used to design polymeric micelles, include AZO, SP, and dithienylethene [157]. Molla et al [170] fabricated AZO-containing photoisomerisation micelles using b-PEG-azoB-PLA.…”

Development of Novel Magnetoliposomes Containing Nickel Ferrite Nanoparticles Covered with Gold for Applications in Thermotherapy

“…Hereby, magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles afford a high therapeutic potentiality owing to the combination of different strategies, such as photothermia, photodynamic therapy, magnetic hyperthermia, and magnetic-guided drug delivery [19]. In this context, iron-oxide magnetic nanoparticles covered with gold or carbon were used [20][21][22]. Recently, manganese ferrite/gold core/shell nanoparticles entrapped in lipid bilayers were also developed as nanocarriers for antitumor drugs [23].Considering these advantages, in this work, both core/shell nickel ferrite/gold nanoparticles and gold-decorated nickel ferrite nanoparticles were prepared.…”

Advances in Applications of Metal Oxide Nanomaterials as Imaging Contrast Agents

“…Such development is extremely beneficial since it eliminates the need of multiple contrast agents and facilitate a more efficient theranostic process. Carbon‐encapsulated iron oxide‐based nanoparticles capable of optical fluorescence and MRI were produced by solvothermal reaction of ferrocene . The bifunctional nanoparticle (BFNP) presented smaller size compared to previous iron oxide‐carbon composites and quick removal from major organs within 96 h. They exhibited superior r 2 of 264.76 mM −1 s −1 (14.0 T) compared to Feridex (r 2 = 185.84 mM −1 s −1 at 14.0 T) and were capable of in vivo tumor imaging at 640 nm excitation.…”