Enhanced Delivery of Chemotherapy to Tumors Using a Multicomponent Nanochain with Radio-Frequency-Tunable Drug Release

While nanoparticles maximize the amount of chemotherapeutic drug In tumors relative to normal tissues, nanoparticle-based drugs are not accessible to the majority of cancer cells because nanoparticles display patchy, near-perivascular accumulation in tumors. To overcome the limitations of current drugs In their molecular or nanoparticle form, we developed a nanoparticle based on multicomponent nanochains to deliver drug to the majority of cancer cells throughout a tumor while reducing off-target delivery. The nanoparticle Is composed of three magnetic nanospheres and one doxorubicin-loaded liposome assembled In a 100 nm long chain. These nanoparticles display prolonged blood circulation and significant intratumoral deposition in tumor models In rodents. Furthermore, the magnetic particles of the chains serve as a mechanical transducer to transfer radio frequency energy to the drug-loaded liposome. The defects on the liposomal walls trigger the release of free drug capable of spreading throughout the entire tumor, which results In a widespread anticancer effect.