Development of Folate‐Superparamagnetic Nanoconjugates for Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation

Abstract

AbstractHere, a versatile strategy to engineer smart theranostic nanocarriers is reported. The core/shell nanosystem is composed of a superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe3−δO4) nanoparticle (NP) core bearing the biocompatible thermo‐responsive poly(2‐(2‐methoxy)ethyl methacrylate‐oligo(ethylene glycol methacrylate), P(MEO2MAx‐OEGMA100−x) copolymer (where x and 100‐x represent the molar fractions of MEO2MA and OEGMA, respectively). Folic acid (FA) is end‐conjugated to the P(MEO2MAx‐OEGMA100−x) copolymer, leading to Fe3−δO4@P(MEO2MAx‐OEGMA100−x)‐FA, to facilitate active targeting of NPs to cancer cells. A highly potent hydrophobic anticancer agent doxorubicin (DOX) is incorporated in the thermo‐responsive P(MEO2MAx‐OEGMAy) brushes via supramolecular interactions to increase its solubility and the assessment of therapeutic potentials. These experiments confirm the magnetic hyperthermia properties of nanocarrier and reveal that only a small amount (10% ± 4%) of DOX is diffused at room temperature, while almost full drug (100%) is released after 52 h at 41 °C. Interestingly, it is found that P(MEO2MA60‐OEGMA40) polymers offer to NPs a promising stealth behavior against Human Serum Albumin and Fibrinogen model proteins.