Stimuli-responsive nanocomposites for magnetic targeting synergistic multimodal therapy and T1/T2-weighted dual-mode imaging

Anticancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX)-loaded photothermal nanocomposite MnFe2O4@ mSiO(2) with magnetic targeting and T-1/T-2-weighted dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging of MnFe2O4 core and NIR/pH-coupling sensitive mesoporous silica shell nanocarriers was designed and synthesized successfully. The anticancer drug DOX can be absorbed into mesoporous layer of MnFe(2)O4@ mSiO(2) nanocomposite, which shows obvious photothermal/chemo dual-modal synergistic therapies triggered by NIR/pH. Under 808 nm irradiation, MnFe2O4 can transform light into thermo, which can not only ablate tumor cells directly but also promote chemotherapy drugs releasing from mesoporous layer to kill tumor cells. The lower pH can also promote DOX releasing from mesoporous layer to enhance tumor inhibitory effect. It is confirmed that biocompatible DOX-MnFe2O4@ mSiO(2) nanocomposites can act as a potential multifunctional platform for effective magnetic targeting photothermal/chemo dual-modal synergistic therapies with enhanced anti-tumor efficacy and T-1/T(2)weighted dual-mode magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications in vivo. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.