Evaluation of infrared thermography combined with drug-loaded superparamagnetic nanoparticles for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignant tumor that threatens both the physical and mental health of women worldwide, the incidence of BC is increasing each year. Early detection and prompt diagnosis are key for prevention of BC and will promote reductions in morbidity and mortality. As such, we present here an integrated diagnostic and treatment strategy for BC that is based on infrared thermal imaging (IRTI) combined with superparamagnetic iron tetroxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles. In this work, a doxorubicin (DOX) anticancer drug platform was generated using polyethylene-coated paramagnetic nano-iron tetroxide particles, and IRTI technology was used to implement an integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment. The therapeutic efficacy of the DOX anticancer drug system utilizing nano-iron tetroxide superparamagnetic particles was examined. DOX anticancer drug composite nanomaterials based on superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles (PEG-Fe3O4@DOX). The size distribution of NPs was 14.5 ± 0.53 nm, and the drug encapsulation rate (80.1%) and drug loading rate (35.3%) were higher PEG-Fe3O4@DOX. The results showed that the acidic medium was beneficial to the release of DOX PEG-Fe3O4@DOX. It is beneficial to release DOX from NPs PEG-Fe3O4@DOX NPs can accurately reach the cancerous site for release and achieve the purpose of precise treatment.