Abstract
We describe a new type of ultra-small magneto-gold nanoparticle (MGN) with folic acid (FA)-based tumour targeting and multimodal imaging-guided photothermal therapy (PTT) properties that can be used as a theranostic nanoagent. The nanoagent integrates these MGNs-FA with surface modifications, and as expected, is monodisperse, and exhibits small size, strong NIR absorption, photothermal stability, good relaxivity and X-ray absorption coefficient, tumour targeting and excellent biocompatibility. Based on these properties, the nanoagent was successfully tested, both as a photothermal agent for high PTT efficacy and as a multimodality contrast agent for T 1- & T 2-MRI/CT/PA imaging in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the results of in vivo theranostic experiments with these MGNs-FA showed that they are highly effective and safe, indicating that they are efficient and promising theranostic agents that permit comprehensive imaging for diagnosis and therapy.