Engineering magnetite/poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles for dual-mode hyperthermia and photothermal cancer therapy

Magnetic nanoparticles gained interest in cancer therapy given their unique ability to serve as multifunctional agents for targeted treatment and imaging. Hybrid nanoparticles composed of magnetite and poly(butylcyanoacrylate) were developed and characterized for applications in hyperthermia and photothermal cancer therapy. Emulsion polymerization and single organic phase techniques were optimized to achieve hybrid particles with uniform size distribution and high production yields. Characterization through electron microscopy, FTIR, and electrokinetic analysis confirmed the encapsulation of magnetite cores within a poly(butylcyanoacrylate) shell, with formulation F 6, produced by the single organic phase, exhibiting the most efficient coating and optimal colloidal stability (size ≈ 240 nm; PdI ≈ 0.16; ζ potential ≈ -20 mV). The nanohybrids demonstrated superparamagnetic behavior with enhanced magnetic properties, including a saturation magnetization of ≈ 70 kA/m. Power absorption measurements of heating efficiency analysis revealed efficient heat generation with a temperature increase ( Δ T) of ≈ 10 °C and a specific absorption rate, SAR, of ≈ 66 W/g under an alternating magnetic field. In addition, photothermal evaluations confirmed the NPs’ capability to achieve localized heating, with temperature increases proportional to laser power, reaching Δ T ≈ 12 °C at 55% power. Biocompatibility assessments showed excellent hemocompatibility, minimal cytotoxicity, and negligible immune activation, confirming their apparent safety for biomedical use. These findings position these nanocomposites as promising candidates for precision cancer therapies which could be activated by location-specific signal sources. Future work may include enhancing long-term stability, validating therapeutic efficacy in vivo , and integrating diagnostic functionalities to establish them as versatile theranostic platforms. • To our knowledge, this is the first investigation defining the potential applications in magnetic and photo induced hyperthermia-based cancer therapies of a (maghemite/poly(butylcyanoacrylate)) (core/shell) nanohybrid. • The reproducible procedure used to prepare the composite nanostructured particles was optimized. The comprehensive characterization of these nanohybrids validated the efficiency and reproducibility of the formulation process, and the optimal preparation conditions generating superior results in terms of uniformity, colloidal stability, and production yield. • Colloidal stability analysis revealed the critical role of storage conditions in preserving the physicochemical properties of core/shell nanoparticles. • Appropriate biocompatibility of the nanoparticles and safety for biomedical use is hypothesized, considering the results from: i ) ex vivo blood compatibility tests, defining their negligible effect on platelet activation, complement system activation, haemolysis, and plasma clotting time; and, ii ) in vitro tests, demonstrating almost null toxicity in CCD-18 (colon fibroblast) and T-84 (colon carcinoma) human cell lines. • Magnetic properties of the nanocomposite are analyzed to identify their superparamagnetic responsiveness, and their heating properties under the influence of an oscillating electromagnetic gradient (hyperthermia effect) and under a laser device emitting light in the infrared spectrum ( λ = 850 nm).