Here we report design of a smart nanoconstruct that can be used as a multimodal theranostic platform for imaging and therapy applications. Decorated with two sizes of magnetic nanostructures (MNS) on thermoresponsive nanosized hydrogel (NG), the NG-MNS nanoconstruct shows dual-mode contrast enhancement ability in MRI and thermo-chemo therapeutic ability under an RF field. Because of the unique design where all MNS are at the exterior of the nanoconstruct, no compromise in the physical properties of MNS and their effect on contrast enhancement and thermal activation has been observed. In a series of in vitro analyses in human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cells, we validate that NG-MNS show dual-mode MR imaging capability with a higher signal/noise ratio than in clinically approved dual-mode contrast agents as well as enhanced therapeutic efficacy compared to previously reported hydrogel-based nanocarriers and free drug systems.
Keywords: controlled drug release; dual-mode contrast agent; magnetic hydrogel; magnetic hyperthermia; multimodal theranostic.