The Theragnostic Potential of Polyaniline-Decorated Magnetic Nanoparticles: A Sorafenib Carrier for Chemo-Photothermal Therapy and Imaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Publisher



M Pourhossein MOHAMMAD ; F Pishbin FATEMEHSADAT ; A Ataie A ; M Akrami MOHAMMAD ; E Mostafavi EBRAHIM
Source: Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology Published:2025

Abstract

In recent years, researchers have extensively investigated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a prevalent cancer type worldwide. Its resistance to conventional treatments highlights the promise of theragnostic nanoparticles, offering multiple tools within a single platform for fighting HCC cells. In this research, using polyaniline (PANI)-coated cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CFO), an innovative nanocomposite system has been developed for drug delivery, photothermal therapy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of HCC. The composite nanoparticles were fabricated by a facile co-precipitation synthesis, and PANI chains were formed on the surface through the chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline monomer. Physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles were evaluated using FESEM, HRTEM, FTIR, XRD, TGA, VSM, DLS, and Zeta potential analyses. PANI acted as a pH-sensitive component for the controlled release of sorafenib (SB) chemo-drug with a loading capacity of 6.21 %. In response to NIR radiation, the nanocomposite raised its medium temperature to 55 °C. Further, the nanoplatform's relaxivity was 32.61 mM−1 S−1, enabling it to be used for MRI contrast. Meanwhile, hemolysis tests indicated acceptable hemocompatibility of 680 g/ml. While in vitro flow cytometry tests revealed no detrimental effects on the viability of HepG2 cancer cells by the nanocomposite, the SB-loaded nanocomposite exhibited significant toxicity toward these cells. This suggests that the nanocarrier enhances SB's therapeutic efficacy. Overall, the developed nanoplatform demonstrates strong photothermal conversion, effective MRI contrast properties, and good drug-loading capacity, making it a promising candidate for cancer theragnostic. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.