Engineering magnetite/poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles for dual-mode hyperthermia and photothermal cancer therapy

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles gained interest in cancer therapy given their unique ability to serve as multifunctional agents for targeted treatment and imaging. Hybrid nanoparticles composed of magnetite and poly(butylcyanoacrylate) were developed and characterized for applications in hyperthermia and photothermal cancer therapy. Emulsion polymerization and single organic phase techniques were optimized to achieve hybrid particles with uniform size distribution and high production yields. Characterization through electron microscopy, FTIR, and electrokinetic analysis confirmed the encapsulation of magnetite cores within a poly(butylcyanoacrylate) shell, with formulation F6, produced by the single organic phase, exhibiting the most efficient coating and optimal colloidal stability (size ≈ 240 nm; PdI ≈ 0.16; ζ potential ≈ −20 mV). The nanohybrids demonstrated superparamagnetic behavior with enhanced magnetic properties, including a saturation magnetization of ≈ 70 kA/m. Power absorption measurements of heating efficiency analysis revealed efficient heat generation with a temperature increase (ΔT) of ≈ 10 °C and a specific absorption rate, SAR, of ≈ 66 W/g under an alternating magnetic field. In addition, photothermal evaluations confirmed the NPs’ capability to achieve localized heating, with temperature increases proportional to laser power, reaching ΔT ≈ 12 °C at 55 % power. Biocompatibility assessments showed excellent hemocompatibility, minimal cytotoxicity, and negligible immune activation, confirming their apparent safety for biomedical use. These findings position these nanocomposites as promising candidates for precision cancer therapies which could be activated by location-specific signal sources. Future work may include enhancing long-term stability, validating therapeutic efficacy in vivo, and integrating diagnostic functionalities to establish them as versatile theranostic platforms.