Development of Folate‐Superparamagnetic Nanoconjugates for Inhibition of Cancer Cell Proliferation

Here, a versatile strategy to engineer smart theranostic nanocarriers is reported. The core/shell nanosystem is composed of a superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe 3− δ O 4 ) nanoparticle (NP) core bearing the biocompatible thermo‐responsive poly(2‐(2‐methoxy)ethyl methacrylate‐oligo(ethylene glycol methacrylate), P(MEO 2 MA x ‐OEGMA 100− x ) copolymer (where x and 100‐ x represent the molar fractions of MEO 2 MA and OEGMA, respectively). Folic acid (FA) is end‐conjugated to the P(MEO 2 MA x ‐OEGMA 100− x ) copolymer, leading to Fe 3 − δ O 4 @P(MEO 2 MA x ‐OEGMA 100− x )‐FA, to facilitate active targeting of NPs to cancer cells. A highly potent hydrophobic anticancer agent doxorubicin (DOX) is incorporated in the thermo‐responsive P(MEO 2 MA x ‐OEGMA y ) brushes via supramolecular interactions to increase its solubility and the assessment of therapeutic potentials. These experiments confirm the magnetic hyperthermia properties of nanocarrier and reveal that only a small amount (10% ± 4%) of DOX is diffused at room temperature, while almost full drug (100%) is released after 52 h at 41 °C. Interestingly, it is found that P(MEO 2 MA 60 ‐OEGMA 40 ) polymers offer to NPs a promising stealth behavior against Human Serum Albumin and Fibrinogen model proteins.