Abstract
High-quality, 25 nm octahedral-shaped Fe3O4 magnetite nanocrystals are epitaxially grown on 9 nm Au seed nanoparticles using a modified wet-chemical synthesis. These Fe3O4-Au Janus nanoparticles exhibit bulk-like magnetic properties. Due to their high magnetization and octahedral shape, the hybrids show superior in vitro and in vivo T2 relaxivity for magnetic resonance imaging as compared to other types of Fe3O4-Au hybrids and commercial contrast agents. The nanoparticles provide two functional surfaces for theranostic applications. For the first time, Fe3O4-Au hybrids are conjugated with two fluorescent dyes or the combination of drug and dye allowing the simultaneous tracking of the nanoparticle vehicle and the drug cargo in vitro and in vivo. The delivery to tumors and payload release are demonstrated in real time by intravital microscopy. Replacing the dyes by cell-specific molecules and drugs makes the Fe3O4-Au hybrids a unique all-in-one platform for theranostics.
Highlights
Recent advances in nanotechnology suggested new platforms for cancer diagnostics and treatment[1,2,3,4,5]
We present a unique combination of novel Fe3O4-Au hybrids synthesis and their full physical-chemical characterization revealing unusual fundamental properties
We start the synthesis of Fe3O4-Au hybrid NPs with oleylamine-stabilized
Summary
Recent advances in nanotechnology suggested new platforms for cancer diagnostics and treatment[1,2,3,4,5]. Its ability for steered guidance along strong field gradients, hyperthermia applications and magneto-mechanical actuation are outstanding and may lead to even more enhanced therapies[7,51,52,53,54,55,56,57] Due to these properties, targeted delivery based on magnetic NPs to malignant tissues is a promising concept in cancer biology[28,57,58,59]. Several highlights have been demonstrated in this field using Fe3O4-Au hybrid structures[60,61,62,63,64,65], including the combination of therapeutic species and targeting molecules for drug delivery[66], the synergistic effect of magnetic hyperthermia and photo-thermal/photodynamic therapy[67,68] as well as dual-mode contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and computer tomography[69,70]. Due to the overall complexity of the hybrid systems it is extremely important to show the full «journey» of Fe3O4-Au NPs from the first steps of synthesis, subsequent characterization and primary functionalization to the final in vivo application
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
