Novel dual responsive alginate-based magnetic nanogels for onco-theranostics.

The aim of this work was to obtain a novel onco-theranostic system for early diagnosis and improved chemotherapeutic outcome. Hybrid nanogels with magnetic and dual responsive properties were fabricated by covalently attaching superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) with a disulfide-modified alginate derivative, while simultaneously encapsulating the anticancer drug doxorubicin. The resulting nanogels exhibited magnetic-targeted characteristics, high drug loading content, co-triggered release behavior, high toxicity to tumor cells, low side effects to normal cells, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) functions. These findings proved that the hybrid nanogels have great potential as novel tumor-targeting nano-theranostic agents for simultaneous MRI imaging and efficient anti-tumor treatment.