Effective magnetic hyperthermia induced by mitochondria‐targeted nanoparticles modified with triphenylphosphonium‐containing phospholipid polymers

Magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) is a promising cancer treatment because tumor tissue can be specifically damaged by utilizing the heat generated by nano‐heaters such as magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) under an alternating magnetic field. MNPs are taken up by cancer cells, enabling intracellular MHT. Subcellular localization of MNPs can affect the efficiency of intracellular MHT. In this study, we attempted to improve the therapeutic efficacy of MHT by using mitochondria‐targeting MNPs. Mitochondria‐targeting MNPs were prepared by the modification of carboxyl phospholipid polymers containing triphenylphosphonium (TPP) moieties that accumulate in mitochondria. The mitochondrial localization of polymer‐modified MNPs was supported by transmission electron microscopy observations of murine colon cancer CT26 cells treated with polymer‐modified MNPs. In vitro and in vivo MHT using polymer‐modified MNPs revealed that the therapeutic effects were enhanced by introducing TPP. Our results indicate the validity of mitochondria targeting in enhancing the therapeutic outcome of MHT. These findings will pave the way for developing a new strategy for the surface design of MNPs and therapeutic strategies for MHT.