Facile assembling of novel polypyrrole nanocomposites theranostic agent for magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging guided efficient photothermal ablation of tumors.

Multifunctional nanocomposites for image-guided cancer therapy are highly desired in clinical application. Herein, a novel theranostic agent based on gold and ferroferric oxide nanoparticles coating polypyrrole particles (PPy@Fe3O4/Au nanocomposites) for computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging guided photothermal therapy was successfully assembled by a very facile electrostatic adsorption method. PPy@Fe3O4/Au nanocomposites exhibit good biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. Because of high r2 relaxivity of Fe3O4 and high X-ray attenuation ability of Au, the PPy@Fe3O4/Au nanocomposites exhibited desirable CT and MR imaging performance, which provide more comprehensive and accurate diagnostic information. Moreover, PPy@Fe3O4/Au nanocomposites can efficiently kill cancer cells by hyperthermia with the guiding of CT and MR imaging, even completely ablate tumours. Hence, the electrostatic adsorption assembled PPy@Fe3O4/Au nanocomposites have great potential in clinical application for diagnosing and treating tumour in the future.