Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels for photothermal therapy of cancer cells

Abstract

Introduction: Non-invasive photothermal therapy (PTT) is a competitive treatment for solid tumors, while the efficacy is largely dependent on the effective retention of photothermal converters in tumor tissues.Methods: Herein, the development of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticle-loaded alginate (ALG) hydrogel platform for PTT of colorectal cancer cells is reported. Fe3O4 nanoparticles synthesized via coprecipitation method after reaction of 30 min have a small size (61.3 nm) and more suitable surface potential, and can mediate PTT under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation. The premix of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and ALG hydrogel precursors can be gelatinized by Ca2+-mediated cross-linking to form this therapeutic hydrogel platform.Results: The formed Fe3O4 nanoparticles can be effectively taken up by CT26 cancer cells and induce the death of CT26 cells in vitro under NIR laser irradiation because of their excellent photothermal property. In addition, Fe3O4 nanoparticle-loaded ALG hydrogels show negligible cytotoxicity at the studied concentration range, but can significantly kill cancer cells after PTT effect.Conclusion: This ALG-based hydrogel platform provides a valuable reference for subsequent in vivo studies and other related studies on Fe3O4 nanoparticle-loaded hydrogels.

Key Insights on the Classification and Theranostic Applications of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast Agents

“…Considering the useful magnetic and imaging properties of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and the PTT effect, the developed Fe 3 O 4-ALG-based hydrogel platform may be used as an attractive candidate for MRI and combinational therapy of cancer. [104] Xia and co-workers have developed oxidized dopamine nanoparticles (ODNPs) as promising MRI theranostics with remarkable MRI contrasting capability and photothermal ther- apy (PTT) efficacy. The above theranostic NPs were synthesized via oxidization of dopamine-DTPA-Gd conjugates and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-dopamine conjugates in a one-pot method.…”

“…The above data indicated that the developed Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticle‐loaded hydrogels can be effectively taken up by CT26 cancer cells and can cause significant inhibition in the growth of colorectal cancer cells thereby validating their potential role in therapy of colorectal tumors. Considering the useful magnetic and imaging properties of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and the PTT effect, the developed Fe 3 O 4‐ ALG‐based hydrogel platform may be used as an attractive candidate for MRI and combinational therapy of cancer [104] …”

Research progress of inorganic metal nanomaterials in biological imaging and photothermal therapy

“…[128] 用共沉淀法合成出小粒径Fe 3 O 4 纳米粒 子, 然后在Fe 3 O 4 纳米粒子上负载ALG (alginate, 海藻 酸盐)水凝胶. 其中, 水凝胶包裹的纳米粒子可以更好 地聚集在肿瘤组织中, 并具有相对较长的停留时间以 发挥更好的治疗效果[129] …”