Smart Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery System for Cancer Thermo-Chemotherapy and Intracellular Imaging.

In this research, a thermoresponsive drug release system was synthesized, which encapsulated the magnetic nanoparticles Fe3O4 and the drug model 5-fluorouracil with thermosensitive polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). Mesoporous SiO2 was used as the channel of drug release, which could enhance the rate of drug loading and reduce drug loss. Chitosan (CHI) is a natural cationic linear polymer. The results showed successful coating of chitosan and rhodamine 6G (R6G) on the surface of the SiO2 sphere. The intermolecular interactions of the nanocomposites were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. R6G is a typical fluorochrome which could be applied for cell imaging. Fluorescent imaging studies by confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that the prepared nanocomposites Fe3O4/PNIPAM/5-Fu@mSiO2-CHI/R6G could specifically target tumor cells. Therefore, our work shows great potential in drug delivery and cancer therapy.