Work

Advancing colon cancer therapy with folic acid-conjugated gold/magnetite heterodimer nanoparticles: Targeted drug delivery and dual thermo-radiosensitization

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background Reducing therapeutic radiation doses, achieving localized hyperthermia, and ensuring precise chemotherapeutic release remain major challenges in multimodal cancer therapy. Methods We developed folic acid–functionalized gold/magnetite heterodimer nanoparticles loaded with5-fluorouracil (5-FU@FA-Terp-HDNPs) to serve as targeted chemotherapeutic carriers, radiosensitizers, and mediators of alternating magnetic field (AMF)–induced hyperthermia. The nanoparticles were synthesized and extensively characterized, including assessment of hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H-NMR), drug loading capacity, and in-vitro drug release profiles. Results The characterization confirmed the formation of spherical heterodimer nanoparticles with efficient 5-FU loading and controlled release, which was markedly accelerated under hyperthermic conditions. In vitro assays on HT29 colorectal cancer cells demonstrated enhanced cellular uptake and cytotoxicity relative to normal HUVEC cells, consistent with folate receptor overexpression. Combined chemo-thermo-radiotherapy (5-FU@FA-Terp-HDNPs + AMF at 43 °C + X-ray at 2 Gy) produced significantly greater apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and inhibition of cell proliferation compared to chemotherapy, hyperthermia, or radiotherapy alone (P < 0.0001). Conclusion Folic acid–targeted 5-FU@FA-Terp-HDNPs function as multifunctional nanocarriers that enable precise drug delivery, radiosensitization, and localized hyperthermia. This integrated therapeutic platform enhances cancer-cell damage while reducing systemic toxicity, offering a promising strategy for advanced colorectal cancer treatment.

Source: Materials Today Communications

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2026.115353

Authors: Saba Nadi, Maryam Soleymani, Sakine Shirvalilou, Banafsheh Nikfar, Sepideh Khoee, Samideh Khoei

Institutions: Iran University of Medical Sciences, University of Tehran

Language: English

Topic: Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,830