In vivo photodynamic therapy and magnetic resonance imaging of cancer by TSPP-coated Fe3O4 nanoconjugates

In this paper, we present the preparation and characterization of organic dye-coated magnetic particles and its application as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent. We have coated the surface of Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles by meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl) porphyrin dihydrochloride (TSPP), a photosensitive drug used in PDT, which is capable of generating singlet oxygen on the surface of paramagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles when irradiated at 400 nm. While the MRI was performed with in vivo mice experiment along with proper irradiation and therapeutic effect was followed by using in-situ MRI technology. The resulting conjugate is a single particle platform that can simultaneously be used as a PDT therapeutic and MRI contrasting agent.