# Construction of Multifunctional Fe3O4@MSN@PDA-HA-FA Nanocarriers and Research on Synergistic Tumor Therapy

**Authors:** Lijie Liu, Yunxia Hu, Xinyuan Zhang, Guoying Huang, Xiayu Liang, Shige Wang, Lei Tian, Chengzheng Jia

PMC · DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics18020195 · 2026-02-02

## TL;DR

Researchers created a multifunctional nanoparticle that combines photothermal and chemodynamic therapies to improve cancer treatment effectiveness.

## Contribution

A novel Fe3O4@MSN@PDA-HA-FA nanocarrier is developed for synergistic tumor therapy combining PTT, CDT, and chemotherapy.

## Key findings

- The nanocarrier shows high photothermal conversion and heat transfer efficiency under near-infrared light.
- It enhances hydroxyl radical generation via Fenton reaction for chemodynamic therapy.
- In vitro experiments confirm the synergistic antitumor efficacy of combined therapies.

## Abstract

Background: Chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) based on nanomaterials have garnered widespread attention in cancer treatment. However, most single-modal nanotherapeutics suffer from limited therapeutic efficacy. Methods: Herein, a magnetic mesoporous composite nanoparticle, Fe3O4@MSN@PDA-HA-FA, is successfully fabricated, with Fe3O4 nanoparticles as the magnetic core; mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as the mesoporous shell; and dopamine hydrochloride (DA·HCl), hyaluronic acid (HA), and folic acid (FA) as the functional ligands. Results: Notably, this composite serves as both an efficient photothermal converter and a chemodynamic promoter, enhancing hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation and improving PTT efficacy. Under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, Fe3O4@MSN@PDA-HA-FA exhibits high photothermal conversion and heat transfer efficiencies. The Fe2+ ions in Fe3O4 enable a Fenton reaction-mediated conversion of endogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into ·OH for CDT. Additionally, the MSNs provide a substantial drug-loading capacity, while the HA and FA provide additional surface functionalities that can modulate the nano-bio interactions and improve colloidal stability. Conclusions: In vitro experiments validate the synergistic therapeutic efficacy of PTT, CDT, and chemotherapy. This study demonstrates that Fe3O4@MSN@PDA-HA-FA exhibits antitumor efficacy, laying a promising foundation for its potential clinical translation in cancer treatment.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** dopamine hydrochloride (PubChem CID 65340), folic acid (PubChem CID 135398658), hydrogen peroxide (PubChem CID 784), hydroxyl radical (PubChem CID 157350)
- **Diseases:** cancer (MONDO:0004992)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** metastasis (MESH:D009362), weight loss (MESH:D015431), cytotoxicity (MESH:D064420), CDT (MESH:D016609), injury to (MESH:D014947), Cancer (MESH:D009369), hemolysis (MESH:D006461), hyperthermia (MESH:D005334)
- **Chemicals:** penicillin (MESH:D010406), SiO2 (MESH:D012822), DOX (MESH:D004317), graphene (MESH:D006108), H2O2 (MESH:D006861), propidium iodide (MESH:D011419), Si (MESH:D012825), Fe2+ (-), indocyanine green (MESH:D007208), OH (MESH:C031356), melanin (MESH:D008543), CO2 (MESH:D002245), Co (MESH:D003035), FA (MESH:D005492), Mn (MESH:D008345), H+ (MESH:D006859), sodium acetate (MESH:D019346), DA HCl (MESH:D004298), gold (MESH:D006046), TEOS (MESH:C040733), Calcein AM (MESH:C085925), metal (MESH:D008670), streptomycin (MESH:D013307), C (MESH:D002244), Iron(III) chloride hexahydrate (MESH:C024555), N2 (MESH:D009584), EG (MESH:D019855), polypyrrole (MESH:C067635), NaF (MESH:D012969), CaF2 (MESH:D002124), Fe (MESH:D007501), CCK-8 (MESH:D012844), copper sulfide (MESH:C017846), water (MESH:D014867), hydroxyl radical (MESH:D017665), HA (MESH:D006820), TEA (MESH:C009546), EtOH (MESH:D000431), Cu (MESH:D003300), HCl (MESH:D006851), PDA (MESH:C568283)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]
- **Mutations:** 200  C, F200X
- **Cell lines:** HT29 — Homo sapiens (Human), Colon adenocarcinoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0320), L929 — Mus musculus (Mouse), Spontaneously immortalized cell line (CVCL_AR58)

## Figures

8 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944197/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944197