Preparation and Evaluation of Multifunctional Autofluorescent Magnetic Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery Systems Against Mammary Cancer

The Fe3O4@C@NaYF4:Yb,Er nanocarriers of multifunction were synthesized. The mitoxantrone was selected as model drug, and these nanoparticles have high drug loading (0.63 mg/mg). The temperature of Fe3O4@C@NaYF4:Yb,Er in water reached 60°C with 808 nm irritation (2.5 W/cm2). The cumulative release of these nano drug carriers significantly increased because of the increase in temperature, and the 4T1 cell growth inhibition rates were 59.15%, almost 2.25-fold higher than mitoxantrone group (p <0.05). Because the nanoparticles had autofluorescence under 808 nm irritation, the nanocarriers could be traced in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Based on magnetic field, the fluorescence signal of these nano drug carriers could be observed at tumor region during 2-9 h in vivo study. The nanocarriers with magnetic and 808 nm laser group, tumor growth inhibition rate achieved almost 83.14%. These nanoparticles are an outstanding potential carrier for antitumor drugs, which can improve curative effect for tumor while reducing toxicity.