Theranostic Angiopep-2-Conjugated FeTaO_x@Au Core-Shell Magnetic Nanoparticles for Glioma Treatment and Dual Medical...

In this work, iron-tantalum oxide nanoparticles (FeTaO_x NPs) with a gold coating modified by Angiopep-2 (FeTaO_x@Au-ANG) were developed to achieve dual-modality imaging and magnetically induced hyperthermia therapy for glioma. The 13.5 nm sized FeTaO_x@Au-ANG NPs' exhibited superparamagnetic behavior with excellent dual T₁/T₂-weighted MRI contrast of Fe existence and enhanced X-ray attenuation for computed tomography (CT) imaging, enabling accurate tumor localization through complementary imaging modalities. The incorporation of Ta and Au not only improved biocompatibility but also provided a high CT contrast effect. Upon magnetic stimulation, the NPs efficiently elevated the intratumoral temperature, leading to a significant (∼90%) reduction in glioma cell viability. ANG modification further enhanced the targeted uptake of NPs by glioma cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed extensive coagulative and glial necrosis, elevated GFAP expression, and a reduced Ki67 index, consistent with effective tumor ablation. In vivo, FeTaO_x@Au-ANG NPs treatment markedly suppressed tumor growth and extended survival by 18 days. Overall, this multifunctional nanoplatform demonstrates synergistic MRI/CT imaging-guided magnetic hyperthermia with high therapeutic efficacy and minimal side effects, offering strong potential for clinical cancer theranostics.