Optimized iron-carbon nanoparticles demonstrate superior; in vivo antitumor efficacy in magnetic hyperthermia treatment

This study aims to develop and evaluate iron-carbon (Fe/C) nanoparticles synthesized for magnetic hyperthermia-based cancer therapy, as a continuation of our previously published in vitro work on the same cell lines. The Fe/C nanoparticles were prepared using a co-precipitation method with optimized precursor ratios to enhance magnetic performance. Structural and magnetic characterization revealed improved properties, with a saturation magnetization of 148.6 emu/g. In vitro cytotoxicity assays in MCF-7 breast cancer cells showed significant cell death at lower nanoparticle doses, confirming effective hyperthermic activity. In vivo experiments were performed using DU145 prostate and MCF-7 breast cancer xenograft models, where intratumoral injections of SPINs at 50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL were followed by alternating magnetic field exposure. The 50 µg/mL dose led to gradual tumor reduction, while the 100 µg/mL dose induced rapid and uniform shrinkage, with near-complete regression in several cases. Thermal imaging verified temperature increase within the tumors. These findings indicate that Fe/C SPINs are promising agents for targeted and minimally invasive magnetic hyperthermia monotherapy in cancer treatment.