EGFR-targeted delivery of DOX-loaded Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@polydopamine multifunctional nanocomposites for MRI and antitumor chemo-photothermal therapy

Abstract

Abstract: Multifunctional nanocomposites that have multiple therapeutic functions together with real-time imaging capabilities have attracted intensive concerns in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. This study developed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody-directed polydopamine-coated Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4 @PDA NPs) for magnetic resonance imaging and antitumor chemo-photothermal therapy. The synthesized Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-PEG-EGFR-DOX NPs revealed high storage capacity for doxorubicin (DOX) and high photothermal conversion efficiency. The cell viability assay of Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-PEG-EGFR NPs indicated that Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-PEG-EGFR NPs had no cell cytotoxicity. However, Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-PEG-EGFR-DOX NPs could significantly decrease cell viability (~5% of remaining cell viability) because of both photothermal ablation and near-infrared light-triggered DOX release. Meanwhile, the EGFR-targeted Fe 3 O 4 @PDA-PEG-EGFR-DOX NPs significantly inhibited the growth of tumors, showing a prominent in vivo synergistic antitumor effect. This study demonstrated the potential of using Fe 3 O 4 @PDA NPs for combined cancer chemo-photothermal therapy with increased efficacy. Keywords: Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles, polydopamine, chemo-photothermal therapy, multifunctional nanocomposites, DOX