FePt Nanoparticles as an Fe Reservoir for Controlled Fe Release and Tumor Inhibition

Chemically disordered face centered cubic (fcc) FePt nanoparticles (NPs) show the controlled release of Fe in low pH solution. The released Fe catalyzes H2O2 decomposition into reactive oxygen species within cells, Causing fast oxidation and deterioration of cellular membranes. Functionalized with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) peptide via phospholipid, the fcc-FePt NPs can bind preferentially to the human ovarian cancer cell line (A2780) that overexpresses LHRH receptors and exhibit high toxicity to these tumor cells. In contrast, the fcc-FePt NPs pre-etched in the low pH (4.8) buffer solution show nonappreciable cytotoxicity. The work demonstrates that fcc-FePt NPs may function as a new type of agent for controlled cancer therapy.