Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Hybrid nanoparticles as theranostic tool: Photo-thermal treatment and MRI imaging

22^nd International Conference and Expo on Nanoscience and Molecular Nanotechnology

November 06-08, 2017 | Frankfurt, Germany

Nina Kostevsek, Samo Hudoklin, Mateja Erdani Kreft, Igor Sersa, Saso Šturm and Kristina Zuzek Rozman

Jozef Stefan Institute, Slovenia
University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nanomed Nanotechnol

Abstract:

We have produced an innovative, theranostic material based on FePt/SiO2/Au hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) for both, photo-thermal therapy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Furthermore, a new synthesis approach, i.e., Au double seeding, for the preparation of the Au nanoshells around the FePt/SiO2 cores, is proposed. The photo-thermal and the MRI response were first demonstrated on an aqueous suspension of hybrid FePt/SiO2/Au NPs. The cytotoxicity together with the internalization mechanism and the intracellular fate of the hybrid NPs were evaluated in vitro on normal (NPU) and a halfdifferentiated cancerous cell line (RT4). The control samples as well as the normal cell line incubated with the NPs showed no significant temperature increase during the in vitro photo-thermal treatment (�?T < 0.8°C) and thus the cell viability remained high (~90%). On the contrary, due to the high NPs uptake by the cancerous RT4 cell line, significant heating of the sample was observed (�?T = 4°C) and, consequently, after the laser irradiation cell viability dropped significantly to 60%. These results further confirm that the hybrid FePt/SiO2/Au NPs developed in the scope of this work were not only efficient but also highly selective photo-thermal agents. Furthermore, the improvement in the contrast and the easier distinction between the healthy and the cancerous tissues were clearly demonstrated with the in vitro MRI experiments, proving that hybrid NPs have an excellent potential to be used as the contrast agent.

Biography :

Nina Kostevšek has her expertise in preparation of multifunctional nanomaterials based on magnetic (FePt, different ferrites) and optically active components (Au) for bioapplications such as magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic hyperthermia, photo-thermal therapy and sensing. Her research involves as well formation of smart drug nanocarriers made of SiO2, biopolymers (chitosan, gelatine, etc.) and thermo-responsive liposomes. Reliable characterization is of vital importance for the optimization of new materials, therefore she uses advanced “state of the art” techniques such as liquid cell transmission electron microscopy for visualization of nucleation and growth of nanoparticles in their “natural” aqueous environment.