Potential use of SERS-assisted theranostic strategy based on Fe3O4/Au cluster/shell nanocomposites for bio-detection, MRI, and magnetic hyperthermia

Abstract A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-assisted theranostic strategy was designed based on a synthesized multifunctional Fe 3 O 4 /Au cluster/shell nanocomposite. This theranostic strategy was used for free prostate specific antigen (free-PSA) detection, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic hyperthermia. The lowest protein concentration detected was 1 ng mL − 1 , and the limit of detection (LOD) of the calculated PSA was 0.75 ng mL − 1 . Then, MRI was carried out to visualize the tumor cell. Lastly, magnetic hyperthermia was employed and revealed a favorable killing effect for the tumor cells. Thus, this SERS-assisted strategy based on a Fe 3 O 4 /Au cluster/shell nanocomposite showed great advantages in theranostic treatment.