Optimization of cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticle as a theranostic agent: MRI and hyperthermia.

Objective: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are considered a theranostic agent in MR imaging, playing an effective role in inducing magnetic hyperthermia. Since, high-performance magnetic theranostic agents are characterized by superparamagnetic behavior and high anisotropy, in this study, cobalt ferrite MNPs were optimized and investigated as a theranostic agent. Methods: CoFe₂O₄@Au@dextran particles were synthesized and characterized by DLS, HRTEM, SEM, XRD, FTIR, and VSM methods. After cytotoxicity evaluation, MR imaging parameters (r₁, r₂ and r₂ / r₁) were calculated for these nanostructures. Afterward, magnetic hyperthermia at the frequency of 425 kHz was applied to calculate specific loss power (SLP). Results: Formation of CoFe₂O₄@Au@dextran was confirmed by UV–Visible spectrophotometry. On the basis of the relaxometric and hyperthermia induction findings of nanostructures in all stages of synthesis, the CoFe₂O₄@Au@dextran could produce the highest parameters of r₂ and r₂/r₁ and SLP with values ​​of 389.7, 51.2 mM⁻¹ s⁻¹, and 2449 W/g, respectively. Conclusion: The formation of multi-core MNPs by dextran coating is expected to improve the magnetic properties of the nanostructure, leading to optimization of theranostic parameters, so that CoFe₂O₄@Au@dextran NPs can create contrast-enhanced images more than three times the clinical use and require less contrast agent, reducing side effects. Accordingly, CoFe2O4@Au@dextran can be introduced as a suitable theranostic nanostructure with optimal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]