Self-assembled multifunctional Fe/MgO nanospheres for magnetic resonance imaging and hyperthermia.
A one-step process for the production of nanoparticles presenting advanced magnetic properties can be achieved using vapor condensation. In this article, we report on the fabrication of Fe particles covered by a uniform MgO epitaxial shell. MgO has a lower surface energy than Fe, which results in a core-shell crystal formation. The particles satisfy a few of technical requirements for the practical use in real clinics, such as a high biocompatibility in living cells in-vitro, an injection through blood vessels without any clothing problems in murine model, a high absorption rate for magnetic hyperthermia at small particle concentration, and the potential to be used as contrast agent in the field of diagnostic magnetic imaging. They are also able to be used in drug delivery and magnetic-activated cell sorting.


BACKGROUND
In this paper, the authors report on the synthesis of Fe particles covered by a uniform MgO epitaxial shell resulting in a core-shell crystal formation. The particles are proven to be useful as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging and have the potential to be useful as heating mediators for cancer therapy through hyperthermia. They also might be used in drug delivery and magnetic-activated cell sorting.
ICMAB-CSIC, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Spain. cboubeta@el.ub.es
Carlos
C
Martinez-Boubeta
Lluis
L
Balcells
Rosa
R
Cristòfol
Coral
C
Sanfeliu
Elisenda
E
Rodríguez
Ralph
R
Weissleder
Silvia
S
Lope-Piedrafita
Konstantinos
K
Simeonidis
Makis
M
Angelakeris
Felip
F
Sandiumenge
Alberto
A
Calleja
Lluis
L
Casas
Claude
C
Monty
Benjamin
B
Martínez
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry*; D008277:Magnesium Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D054118:Nanospheres / Q000737:chemistry*
D003287:Contrast Media; D008277:Magnesium Oxide; D007501:Iron