Synthesis and characterization of PEG-iron oxide core-shell composite nanoparticles for thermal therapy

In this study, core-shell nanoparticles were developed to achieve thermal therapy that can ablate cancer cells in a remotely controlled manner. The core-shell nanoparticles were prepared using atomic transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to coat iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based polymer shell. The iron oxide core allows for the remote heating of the particles in an alternating magnetic field (AMF). The coating of iron oxide with PEG was verified through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis. A thermoablation (55 °C) study was performed on A549 lung carcinoma cells exposed to nanoparticles and over a 10 min AMF exposure. The successful thermoablation of A549 demonstrates the potential use of polymer coated particles for thermal therapy. - Highlights: • Utilized atomic transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to coat iron oxide nanoparticles with PEG • Investigated the surface coating by surface characterization methods • Demonstrated the potential use of nanoparticles for cancer therapy applications