Core-shell structure of Fe3O4@MTX-LDH/Au NPs for cancer therapy.

Nearly monodispersed magnetic Fe3O4@MTX-LDH/Au nanoparticles (NPs) containing the anticancer agent of methotrexate (MTX) were prepared via a coprecipitation-electrostatic interaction strategy. Firstly, layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials were deposited over the surface of Fe3O4 NPs by the coprecipitation method. Secondly, Au NPs were successfully conjugated onto the surface of LDH through electrostatic interaction. Herein, MTX was used both as the agent for surface modification and the anticancer drug for chemotherapy. These particles presented well-defined core-shell structure, strong magnetization and a high drug-loading capacity. Furthermore, the combined treatment of cancer cells by using Fe3O4@MTX-LDH/Au for synergistic hyperthermia ablation and chemotherapy was demonstrated to exhibit higher therapeutic efficacy than either single treatment alone, underscoring the great potential of the platform for cancer therapy.