Improving the Theranostic Potential of Magnetic Nanoparticles by Coating with Natural Rubber Latex for Ultrasound, Photoacoustic Imaging, and Magnetic Hyperthermia: An In Vitro Study

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Vicente, Thiago T. ; Arsalani, Saeideh ; Quiel, Mateus S. ; Fernandes, Guilherme S. P. ; da Silva, Keteryne R. ; Fukada, Sandra Y. ; Gualdi, Alexandre J. ; Guidelli, Eder J. ; Baffa, Oswaldo ; Carneiro, Antonio A. O. ; Ramos, Ana Paula ; Pavan, Theo Z.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHARMACEUTICS; v. 16, n. 11, p. 22-pg., 2024-11-01.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have gained attention in theranostics for their ability to combine diagnostic imaging and therapeutic capabilities in a single platform, enhancing targeted treatment and monitoring. Surface coatings are essential for stabilizing MNPs, improving biocompatibility, and preventing oxidation that could compromise their functionality. Natural rubber latex (NRL) offers a promising coating alternative due to its biocompatibility and stability-enhancing properties. While NRL-coated MNPs have shown potential in applications such as magnetic resonance imaging, their effectiveness in theranostics, particularly magnetic hyperthermia (MH) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI), remains underexplored. Methods: In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized via coprecipitation, using NRL as the coating agent. The samples were labeled by NRL amount used during synthesis: NRL-100 for 100 mu L and NRL-400 for 400 mu L. Results: Characterization results showed that NRL-100 and NRL-400 samples exhibited improved stability with zeta potentials of -27 mV and -30 mV, respectively and higher saturation magnetization values of 79 emu/g and 88 emu/g of Fe3O4. Building on these findings, we evaluated the performance of these nanoparticles in biomedical applications, including magnetomotive ultrasound (MMUS), PAI, and MH. NRL-100 and NRL-400 samples showed greater displacements and higher contrast in MMUS than uncoated samples (5, 8, and 9 mu m) at 0.5 wt%. In addition, NRL-coated samples demonstrated an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in PAI. SNR values were 24.72 (0.51), 31.44 (0.44), and 33.81 (0.46) dB for the phantoms containing uncoated MNPs, NRL-100, and NRL-400, respectively. Calorimetric measurements for MH confirmed the potential of NRL-coated MNPs as efficient heat-generating agents, showing values of 43 and 40 W/g for NRL-100 and NRL-400, respectively. Conclusions: Overall, NRL-coated MNPs showed great promise as contrast agents in MMUS and PAI imaging, as well as in MH applications. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/16939-8 - Development and implementation of novel acoustic, magnetic and optical techniques for diagnostic and therapeutic applications
• Grantee: Antonio Adilton Oliveira Carneiro
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/06728-2 - Photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging for theranostic purposes
• Grantee: Theo Zeferino Pavan
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
• FAPESP's process: 13/18854-6 - Photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging applied to tissue characterization
• Grantee: Theo Zeferino Pavan
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/14482-8 - Artifacts reduction on dual mode ultrasound/photoacoustic images
• Grantee: Guilherme Santos Pilotto Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 13/07699-0 - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics - NeuroMat
• Grantee: Oswaldo Baffa Filho
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC