Photo-controlled aptamers delivery by dual surface gold-magnetic nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy

Dual surfaced dumbbell-like gold magnetic nanoparticles (Au-Fe₃O₄) were synthesized for targeted aptamers delivery. Their unique biological properties were characterized as a smart photo-controlled drug carrier. DNA aptamers targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assembled onto the surface of Au-Fe₃O₄ by electrostatic absorption. The binding capacity of the nanoparticles with VEGF aptamers was confirmed by gel electrophoresis. The targeted recognization of ovarian cancer cells by the aptamers-functionalized Au-Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Apt-Au-Fe₃O₄ NPs) was observed by confocal microscopy. Apt-Au-Fe₃O₄ was found to bind with SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells specifically, leading to marked intracellular release of aptamers upon plasmon-resonant light (605 nm) radiation, and to enhance the in vitro inhibition against tumor cell proliferation. The results show high potential of Apt-Au-Fe₃O₄as a targeted cancer hyperthermia carrier by remote control with high spatial/temporal resolution.