Fabrication of a Nanomagnetic Smart Polymer Carrier as a Potential Candidate for a Drug Delivery System

We developed an intelligent device capable of controlled release of anti-cancer drugs. The nano-carrier consists of two key components: firstly, magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized through co-precipitation and then functionalized for attaching anti-cancer drugs; secondly, a polymer (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)) sensitive to pH and temperature was synthesized and employed to encapsulate the drug-loaded magnetic nanoparticles. This responsive polymer exhibits a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 38.5 °C, indicating a phase transition behavior. Numerous techniques and analyses, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, zeta potentials, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy, were employed to confirm the successful execution of the aforementioned process. In vitro release assessments of the anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin, were conducted across various media (pH 5–8 and temperatures ranging from 20 to 40 °C). The outcomes revealed higher drug releases at temperatures exceeding the LCST (40 °C) and at slightly acidic pH levels (5–5.3). Notably, compared to the effectiveness of the unloaded drug, the magnetic smart polymer loaded with DOX exhibited a more potent cytotoxic effect. Considering these results, this nano-carrier emerges as a promising candidate for targeted therapeutic delivery to cancerous tissues.