A theranostic nanocomposite system based on iron oxide-drug nanocages for targeted magnetic field responsive chemotherapy

Abstract

In this work, a theranostic nanocage system was developed for the targeted delivery of the anti-cancer agents camptothecin (CPT) and luotonin A (LuA). The core of the nanocage system (Fe₃O₄@OA-AD-SP NCs) was formed by biogenically synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) decorated with a model anti-cancer drug (AD) and biosurfactant saponin (SP). The Fe₃O₄@OA-AD-SP NCs showed a high lipophilic AD loading efficiency (>80%) and a controlled pH-responsive drug release in stimulated cancerous cells in pH 6.4 media buffer. In addition, Fe₃O₄@OA-AD-SP NCs exhibited better serum protein binding efficacy at physiological pH values (7.4), furthering the important role of SP surface decoration. Particularly, these NCs showed better chemotherapeutic efficacy when examined in MCF-7 and HeLa cancer cell lines with a specific targeting capacity. Therefore, this study provides a new nano platform based on magnetic targeting and pH responsive lipophilic anticancer drug delivery to the cancer site.

Keywords: Anti-cancer drug delivery; Biosurfactant; Camptothecin and luotonin A; Iron oxide nanoparticles; Serum protein binding; Theranostic nanocages.