Abstract: A magnetic microparticle drug carrier comprising mesoporous iron oxide is described. The drug carrier has an average diameter in a range of 0.5-1.2 ?m, a BET surface area ranging from 50-300 m2/g, and a pore volume ranging from 0.15-0.65 cm3/g. The drug carrier is made using a hard mesoporous silica template which is completely removed from the deposited iron oxide. The drug carrier may be loaded with high amounts of hydrophilic anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs and/or hydrophobic hormonal anticancer drugs, and released in a pH-controlled manner inside cancerous cells. Compared to free drugs, the drug microparticle carrier displays enhanced drug accumulation inside tumor tissues, deeply penetrates into a tumor region and kills the tumor cells inside. The designed carriers described here entrap and release different kinds of anticancer drugs in a controlled manner for synergistic combinatorial chemo/hormonal cancer therapy.

Abstract: A magnetic microparticle drug carrier comprising mesoporous iron oxide is described. The drug carrier has an average diameter in a range of 0.5-1.2 ?m, a BET surface area ranging from 50-300 m2/g, and a pore volume ranging from 0.15-0.65 cm3/g. The drug carrier is made using a hard mesoporous silica template which is completely removed from the deposited iron oxide. The drug carrier may be loaded with high amounts of hydrophilic anticancer chemotherapeutic drugs and/or hydrophobic hormonal anticancer drugs, and released in a pH-controlled manner inside cancerous cells. Compared to free drugs, the drug microparticle carrier displays enhanced drug accumulation inside tumor tissues, deeply penetrates into a tumor region and kills the tumor cells inside. The designed carriers described here entrap and release different kinds of anticancer drugs in a controlled manner for synergistic combinatorial chemo/hormonal cancer therapy.

Abstract: Size-controlled ultra-small iron-based metal oxide nanoparticles, nanocolloids comprising the nanoparticles, and methods of making the nanoparticles. The method for making the iron-based nanoparticles include sequential mixing of an iron(III) salt, a metal (II) salt, a carboxylic acid, an amine, and an inorganic base in water at temperatures ranging from 25-80° C. Nanoparticles in the size ranging from 2 nm to 10 nm with a narrow size distribution are obtained with the method. The nanoparticles have an iron-based core surrounded by molecules such as a panel of different carboxylates, polycarboxylates, and amines. Depending on the hydrophilicity of the carboxylates used, the functional nanoparticulate colloid can be dispersed in either organic or aqueous solvents. The nanocolloids comprise the nanoparticles in a concentration ranging from 1-10 mg/ml, and are stable for at least several months.

Abstract: Size-controlled ultra-small iron-based metal oxide nanoparticles, nanocolloids comprising the nanoparticles, and methods of making the nanoparticles. The method for making the iron-based nanoparticles include sequential mixing of an iron(III) salt, a metal (II) salt, a carboxylic acid, an amine, and an inorganic base in water at temperatures ranging from 25-80° C. Nanoparticles in the size ranging from 2 nm to 10 nm with a narrow size distribution are obtained with the method. The nanoparticles have an iron-based core surrounded by molecules such as a panel of different carboxylates, polycarboxylates, and amines. Depending on the hydrophilicity of the carboxylates used, the functional nanoparticulate colloid can be dispersed in either organic or aqueous solvents. The nanocolloids comprise the nanoparticles in a concentration ranging from 1-10 mg/ml, and are stable for at least several months.