Functionalization of Magnetite (Fe_3O_4) Nanoparticles for Cancer Treatment

摘要

We have studied the synthesis of magnetite (Fe_3O_4) nanoparticles functionalized with crosslinked dextran for the application of magnetic fluid hyperthermia. The CaCo-2 cell model was employed as the biological system. X-Ray diffraction was used to characterize the structure of the synthesized nanoparticles, showing a crystallite size of 9.0 nm. FTIR spectroscopy indicated the presence of dextran in the magnetite samples. SQUID magnetometry was employed to measure the DC magnetization response of the samples, demonstrating superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, with a saturation magnetization of about 50 A/m, and a magnetic core diameter of about 7.0 nm. TEM measurements confirmed the average size of approximately 9.0 nm. Viability and apoptosis experiments in CaCo-2 cells in contact with 0.15 mg/ml of nanoparticles were determined at different contact times. No cytotoxic effects were observed. A decrease in cell viability of about 60% was found upon the application of an AC magnetic field of 3.0 kA/m and 1.0 kHz for about 45 min.