Protein-passivated Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles: low toxicity and rapid heating for thermal therapy.

Thermotherapy is a promising technique for the minimally invasive elimination of solid tumors. Here we report the fabrication of protein-coated iron oxide NPs (12 nm core) for use as thermal therapeutic agents. These albumin-passivated NPs are stable under physiological conditions, with rapid heating and cell killing capacity upon alternating magnetic field (AMF) exposure. The mode of action is specific: no measurable cytotoxicity was observed for the particle without AMF or for AMF exposure without the particle.