Artificially controlled degradable inorganic nanomaterial for cancer theranostics

Multifunctional nanomaterials for cancer diagnosis and therapy have recently prompted widespread concern. To avoid nanotoxicity, the development of novel degradable functional materials must be our main focus. In this study, we firstly developed ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid calcium disodium salt (EDTA)- and bovine serum albumin (BSA)-capped Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles (MONPs-BSA-EDTA) as a novel inorganic nanomaterials for multifunctional imaging-guided photothermal therapy, which can be degraded in a progress-controlled way by artificially introduced ascorbic acid. The degradation products can also be captured and their excretion accelerated. Careful studies suggested that the toxicity of the MONPs-BSA-EDTA and its degradation products is low. The degradation mechanism also suggests a new method of controlled drug release. The development of artificially controlled degradable inorganic nanomaterials also provides a new way to degrade nanomaterials and minimize ion release, which may have potential applications in cancer theranostics without nanotoxicity.