Multifunctional Mn_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ Nanoparticle/PPy-PEG Structures for Synergistic Photo-Magnetic Hyperthermia Applications

Abstract

Photothermal therapy (PTT) and magnetic hyperthermia have emerged as promising techniques for augmenting conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, both treatments have their inherent drawbacks, such as PTT being limited by the depth of laser penetration while magnetothermal therapy being limited by the high concentration compensation brought by a low specific absorption rate. To address this challenge, we have successfully synthesized multifunctional nanohybrids comprising magnetic nanoparticles Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (MZF) with an average diameter of 8.5 nm coated with a light-absorbing polymer responsive to near-infrared radiation, polypyrrole (PPy). Subsequently, the nanocomposite was functionalized with poly­(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to obtain MZF/PPy-PEG nanoparticles with an average diameter of 190 nm. The core–shell MZF/PPy-PEG demonstrates an effective magnetic heating effect, a photothermal stability, and a photothermal conversion efficiency of 34.6%. In addition, the PPy shell, being an organic polymer, exhibits the capability to encapsulate anticancer drug (DOX), enabling synergistic magnetothermal–PTT and chemotherapy . Our findings offer a promising approach for synergistic magneto-PTT and chemotherapy, providing an efficient treatment for cancer.