Sensitive MnFe(2)O(4)–Ag hybrid nanoparticles with photothermal and magnetothermal properties for hyperthermia applications

In this study, we present an experiment showing that designing multifunctional MnFe(2)O(4)–Ag nanoparticles to act as a dual hyperthermia agent is an efficient route for enhancing their heating ability. Interestingly, the specific absorption rate of the heteromeric MnFe(2)O(4)–Ag nanoparticles increased 2.7 times under simultaneous irradiation of a 100 Oe magnetic field and 0.14 W cm(−2) laser compared to the action by the magnetic field alone, and more interestingly, is 30% higher than the sum of the two individual actions. The synergistic benefit of the magneto- and photo-thermal properties of the heteromeric structure can reduce the strengths of the magnetic field and laser intensities as well as their irradiation time to levels lower than those required in their hyperthermia applications individually. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis performed on HepG2 liver cancer and Hela cervical cancer cell lines showed that IC(50) values were 83 ± 5.6 μg mL(−1) (for HepG2) and 122.6 ± 19.8 μg mL(−1) (for Hela cells) after 48 h of incubation, therefore, the nanoparticles are moderately cytotoxic and nontoxic to HepG2 and Hela cells, respectively; which offers the potential of safe therapy.