Preparation of multi-functionalized Fe3O4/Au nanoparticles for medical purposes

In this work, we investigate a route towards the synthesis of multi-functionalized nanoparticles for medical purposes. The aim is to produce magnetite/gold (Fe3O4/Au) nanoparticles combining several complementary properties, specifically, being able to carry simultaneously an antitumor drug and a selected antibody chosen so as to improve specificity of the drug vehicle. The procedure included, firstly, the preparation of Fe3O4 cores coated with Au nanoparticles: this was achieved by using initially the layer-by-layer technique in order to coat the magnetite particles with a three polyelectrolyte (cationic-anionic-cationic) layer. With this, the particles became a good substrate for the growth of the gold layer in a well-defined core-shell structure. The resulting nanoparticles benefit from the magnetic properties of the magnetite and the robust chemistry and the biostability of gold surfaces. Subsequently, the Fe3O4/Au nanoparticles were functionalized with a humanized monoclonal antibody, bevacizumab, and a chemotherapy drug, doxorubicin. Taken together, bevacizumab enhances the therapeutic effect of chemotherapy agents on some kinds of tumors. In this work we first discuss the morphology of the particles and the electrical characteristics of their surface in the successive synthesis stages. Special attention is paid to the chemical stability of the final coating, and the physical stability of the suspensions of the nanoparticles in aqueous solutions and phosphate buffer. We describe how optical absorbance and electrokinetic data provide a follow up of the progress of the nanostructure formation. Additionally, the same techniques are employed to demonstrate that the composite nanoparticles are capable of loading/releasing doxorubicin and/or bevacizumab.