Multifunctional Nanocarpets for Cancer Theranostics: Remotely Controlled Graphene Nanoheaters for Thermo-Chemosensitisation and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Sci Rep. 2016 Feb 4:6:20543. doi: 10.1038/srep20543.

Abstract

A new paradigm in cancer theranostics is enabled by safe multifunctional nanoplatform that can be applied for therapeutic functions together with imaging capabilities. Herein, we develop a multifunctional nanocomposite consisting of Graphene Oxide-Iron Oxide -Doxorubicin (GO-IO-DOX) as a theranostic cancer platform. The smart magnetic nanoplatform acts both as a hyperthermic agent that delivers heat when an alternating magnetic field is applied and a chemotherapeutic agent in a cancer environment by providing a pH-dependent drug release to administer a synergistic anticancer treatment with an enhanced T2 contrast for MRI. The novel GO-IO-DOX nanocomposites were tested in vitro and were observed to exhibit an enhanced tumoricidal effect through both hyperthermia and cancer cell-specific DOX release along with an excellent MRI performance, enabling a versatile theranostic platform for cancer. Moreover the localized antitumor effects of GO-IO-DOX increased substantially as a result of the drug sensitization through repeated application of hyperthermia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Doxorubicin / chemistry
  • Doxorubicin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Synergism
  • Ferric Compounds / chemistry*
  • Ferric Compounds / pharmacology
  • Graphite / chemistry*
  • Hyperthermia, Induced / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / chemistry
  • Mice
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Theranostic Nanomedicine

Substances

  • Ferric Compounds
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • ferric oxide
  • Graphite
  • Doxorubicin