Designed poly(ethylene glycol) conjugate-erbium-doped magnetic nanoparticle hybrid carrier: enhanced activity of anticancer drug

Magnetic drug carriers are aimed at transporting the loaded drugs to the target site with the application of an external field. To realize this, a clever design of magnetic nanoparticles and their surface modification have to be achieved. Herein, we report the synthesis of ErFeO3 nanoparticles and their magnetic characteristics. In addition, we report a beta-cyclodextrin-polyethylene glycol-folate conjugate and utilize it for coating the magnetic nanoparticles. The crystallinity and grain size of the nanoparticles are characterized using X-ray diffraction. The elemental composition of the nanoparticles and their orbital states are determined using XPS spectroscopy. The polymer-coated nanoparticles are soft ferromagnetic. The anticancer drug, camptothecin, is loaded on the polymer-coated nanoparticles with a loading percentage of about 88%. The efficacy of camptothecin gets enhanced when loaded on the magnetic nanocarrier and released in a sustained manner. Compared to the free form, the drug loaded on the nanocarrier shows an enhanced anticancer activity. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

The study discusses the synthesis of a novel magnetic drug carrier and its application in enhancing anticancer activity. By synthesizing nanoparticles and coating drugs with polymers, the drug loading percentage can be improved and the anticancer activity enhanced.