Development of novel magnetoliposomes containing nickel ferrite nanoparticles covered with gold for applications in thermotherapy

• Main Author: Rio, Irina S. R.
• Publication Date: 2020
• Other Authors: Rodrigues, Ana Rita O., Rodrigues, Carolina P., Almeida, B. G., Pires, A., Pereira, A. M., Araújo, J. P., Castanheira, Elisabete M. S., Coutinho, Paulo J. G.
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/64495
• topic: magnetic; plasmonic nanoparticles; nickel ferrite; gold; magnetoliposomes; thermotherapy; Magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles; Science & Technology

Multifunctional nanosystems combining magnetic and plasmonic properties are a promising approach for cancer therapy, allowing magnetic guidance and a local temperature increase. This capability can provide a triggered drug release and synergistic cytotoxic effect in cancer cells. In this work, nickel ferrite/gold nanoparticles were developed, including nickel ferrite magnetic nanoparticles decorated with plasmonic gold nanoparticles and core/shell nanostructures (with a nickel ferrite core and a gold shell). These nanoparticles were covered with a surfactant/lipid bilayer, originating liposome-like structures with diameters below 160 nm. The heating capacity of these systems, upon excitation with light above 600 nm wavelength, was assessed through the emission quenching of rhodamine B located in the lipid layer. The developed nanosystems show promising results for future applications in thermotherapy.