DOX-Conjugated Fe3O4@PDA@BSA Multifunctional Nanocompositesfor cancer combination therapy

Aim and Background: We designed Azo (4,4-azobis (4-cyanovaleric acid))-functionalized multifunctional nanoparticles with polydopamine (PDA) and Bovine serum albumin (BSA) coating, to obtain near-infrared (NIR) laser-responsive drug (Doxorubicin) release and combined chemo-photothermal cancer therapy. Methods: NPs of Fe3O4, Fe3O4@PDA, Fe3O4@ PDA@BSA, Fe3O4@ PDA@BSA -Azo-DOX were synthesized. In vitro DOX release, Cytotoxicity assay, and in vivo MRI assay were performed. For characterization FT-IR, DLS, Zeta, TGA, Bradford assay, VSM, TEM, NIR laser-induced temperature elevation, UV, MTT assay and MRI techniques were done. Results and discussion: Based on the TEM images and DLS data, the NPs had average diameters of about 105 nm and 121.3 nm and a core-shell structure. The results of FTIR, TGA and VSM confirm the coating of polymers on iron NPs. The drug release was measured at 480 nm in the presence and absence of laser; in the presence of laser due to the breaking of temperature sensitive linker, release of DOX increased. MTT result showed that cell viability in the group treated with Fe3O4@PDA@BSA-DOX + Laser is lower than other groups, which indicates the effect of combination therapy. MRI images show the accumulation of NPs in the tumor in the presence of an external magnet, which confirm the efficient targeting in the present work. Conclusion: Successful synthesis of a nanosystem with theranostic properties and chemo-photothermal therapy effect. This nanosystem showed a good accumulation in the tumor tissue in the presence of an external magnet and increased tumoral cell ablation in compared chemo and photothermal therapy