DMSA-coated cubic iron oxide nanoparticles as potential therapeutic agents.

Aim: Superparamagnetic cubic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesized and functionalized with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) as a potential agent for cancer treatment.

Methods

Monodisperse cubic IONPs with a high value of saturation magnetization were synthesized by thermal decomposition method and functionalized with DMSA via ligand exchange reaction, and their cytotoxic effects on HeLa cells were investigated.

Results

DMSA functionalized cubic IONPs with an edge length of 24.5 ± 1.9 nm had a specific absorption rate value of 197.4 W/gFe (15.95 kA/m and 488 kHz) and showed slight cytotoxicity on HeLa cells when incubated with 3.3 × 1010, 6.6 × 1010 and 9.9 × 1010 NP/mL for 24, 48 and 72 h.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate both the cytotoxic effects of DMSA-coated cubic IONPs on HeLa cells and hyperthermia performance of these nanoparticles.