Multifunctional Fe3O4-TiO2 nanocomposites for magnetic resonance imaging and potential photodynamic therapy

Nanoscale. 2013 Mar 7;5(5):2107-13. doi: 10.1039/c3nr33978e. Epub 2013 Feb 5.

Abstract

Multifunctional Fe(3)O(4)-TiO(2) nanocomposites with Janus structure for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and potential photodynamic therapy (PDT) were synthesized, in which Fe(3)O(4) was used as a MRI contrast agent and TiO(2) as an inorganic photosensitizer for PDT. Their morphology, structure, and MRI and PDT performance were characterized, respectively. Moreover, the location of Fe(3)O(4)-TiO(2) nanocomposites in MCF-7 cells was also investigated by the staining of Prussian blue and alizarin red, respectively. The results showed that the as-prepared Fe(3)O(4)-TiO(2) nanocomposites had good T(2)-weighted MRI performance, and the MCF-7 cells incubated with nanocomposites could be killed under the irradiation of UV light. Compared with traditional organic photosensitizers, TiO(2) inorganic photosensitizers could have more stable PDT performance due to their nanoscale size and anti-photodegradable stability. Therefore, the as-prepared Fe(3)O(4)-TiO(2) nanocomposites could have potential applications as a new kind of multifunctional agent for both MRI and PDT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Female
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Nanocomposites / chemistry*
  • Nanocomposites / therapeutic use
  • Nanocomposites / toxicity
  • Photochemotherapy
  • Photosensitizing Agents / chemistry*
  • Photosensitizing Agents / therapeutic use
  • Photosensitizing Agents / toxicity
  • Radiography
  • Titanium / chemistry*
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Photosensitizing Agents
  • titanium dioxide
  • Titanium
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide