Magnetic-field-assisted photothermal therapy of cancer cells using Fe-doped carbon nanoparticles

Photothermal therapy with assistance of nanoparticles offers a solution for the destruction of cancer cells without significant collateral damage to otherwise healthy cells. However, minimizing the required number of injected nanoparticles is a major challenge. Here, we introduce the use of magnetic carbon nanoparticles (MCNPs), localizing them in a desired region by applying an external magnetic-field, and irradiating the targeted cancer cells with a near-infrared laser beam. The MCNPs were prepared in benzene, using an electric plasma discharge, generated in the cavitation field of an ultrasonic horn. The CNPs were made ferromagnetic by use of Fe-electrodes to dope the CNPs, as confirmed by magnetometry. Transmission electron microscopy measurements showed the size distribution of these MCNPs to be in the range of 5 to 10 nm. For photothermal irradiation, a tunable continuous wave Ti: Sapphire laser beam was weakly focused on to the cell monolayer under an inverted fluorescence microscope. The response of different cell types to photothermal irradiation was investigated. Cell death in the presence of both MCNPs and laser beam was confirmed by morphological changes and propidium iodide fluorescence inclusion assay. The results of our study suggest that MCNP based photothermal therapy is a promising approach to remotely guide photothermal therapy.