Iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals (ferrofluids) are investigated for application in the treatment of cystic fibrosis lung infections, the leading cause of mortality in cystic fibrosis patients. We investigate the use of iron oxide nanocrystals to increase the effectiveness of inhalation aerosol antibiotics therapy through two mechanisms: directed particle movement in the presence of a static external magnetic field and magnetic hyperthermia. Magnetic hyperthermia is an effective method for decreasing the viscosity of the mucus and biofilm thereby increasing drug, immune cell, and antibody penetration to the affected area. Iron oxide nanocrystals of various sizes and morphologies were synthesized and tested for specific losses (heating power) using frequencies of 111.1 kHz and 629.2 kHz, and corresponding magnetic field strengths of 9 and 25 mT. Nanocrystals in the superparamagnetic to ferromagnetic size range exhibited excellent heating power. Additionally, iron oxide-zinc selenide core-shell nanoparticles were prepared in parallel in order to allow imaging of the iron oxide nanoparticles.

Date Published: 2 March 2012
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 8232, Colloidal Nanocrystals for Biomedical Applications VII, 82320M (2 March 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.913577

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8232:
Colloidal Nanocrystals for Biomedical Applications VII
Wolfgang J. Parak; Kenji Yamamoto M.D.; Marek Osinski, Editor(s)