Curcumin modified Fe3O4 with efficient SDT for the treatment of breast cancer

• The Fe 3 O 4 /Cur nanomaterial is prepared by a simple hydrothermal method . • The Fe 3 O 4 /Cur can generate large amounts of ROS at US irradiation . • The Fe 3 O 4 /Cur can kill breast cancer cells rapidly at US irradiation. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a non-invasive anti-tumor strategy with good efficacy, strong penetration and few side effects. However, the microenvironment of tumor hypoxia and high expression of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) limits the efficiency of SDT. In this work, we have prepared a ultrasound-enhanced anti-tumor material by hydrothermal method , and the nanomaterials with optimal catalytic ability are identified by controlling the quality of curcumin (Fe 3 O 4 /Cur). The Fe 3 O 4 /Cur is not only capable of generating ROS by ultrasound excitation, but also generates ROS by the Fenton reaction with H 2 O 2 , and the SDT effect of Fe 3 O 4 /Cur is further enhanced. Under ultrasound stimulation, the Fe 3 O 4 /Cur can effectively kill the breast cancer cells within 15 min. This work provides a new idea for the treatment of breast cancer.