Magneto-Plasmonic Nanocapsules for Multimodal-Imaging and Magnetically Guided Combination Cancer Therapy

Integrating multiple discrete functionalities into hollow-mesoporous architecture with distinctive electronic/magnetic property is of particular interest for building multifunctional drug carriers with complementary theranostic modalities. In this article, the “non-contact” incorporation of gold nanorod (GNR) into porous magnetic nanoshell is achieved via yolk–shell structure, which was intrinsically different from previous direct chemical or heterogeneous conjugation of the two components. The highly preserved plasmonic feature of GNRs enabled photothermal induced photoacoustic imaging and hyperthermia capabilities. The magnetic shell consisted of stacked primary iron oxide nanocrystals yields strong superparamagnetic response with excellent permeability for magnetically targeted drug delivery. Interestingly, the special coordination between doxorubicin and iron species enabled pH/local heating dual-responsive drug release with minor leakage at neutral pH. Under the guidance of magnetic resonance/photoacoustic dual-modal imaging and magnetically tumor targeting using the nanoagents, the photothermal-chemo synergistic therapy was conducted via near-infrared laser for highly efficient tumor eradication.