Complex of TNF-α and Modified Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Suppresses Tumor Growth by Magnetic Induction Hyperthermia

Abstract Background: Magnetic nanoparticles are increasingly applied in clinical area for drug delivery, also in magnetic induction hyperthermia (MIH), and so on. The present research would prepare appropriately modified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) to conduct MIH and transfect the anticancer cytokine TNF-α into cells. Materials and Methods: The SPIONs were surface-modified by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) and/or protamine sulfate (PRO). The combined MIH using SPIONs and gene therapy were applied to treat Hep G2 cells and tumor model transplanted in nude mice. Results: The PRO-SPIONs (the surfaces were sequentially modified by APTS and PRO) showed high transfection efficiency for TNF-α gene with no obvious cytotoxicity. It also exhibited great temperature rising performance under alternating current magnetic field. The combined MIH and gene therapy using PRO-SPIONs/TNF-α complex could reduce cell variability of Hep G2 cells and tumor size transplanted in nude mice. Conclusions...