Synthesis of monodispersed calcium ferrite (CaFe2O4) nanocubes with hydrophilic surface for pH-induced drug release and tongue squamous cell carcinoma treatment.

For the first time, cubic shape calcium ferrite (CaFe 2 O 4) nanoparticles were used for drug delivery. Specifically, CaFe 2 O 4 nanocubes with hydrophilic surface were synthesized by thermal decomposition and ligand exchange, and the surface was modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for drug loading. Finally, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) was loaded to the CaFe 2 O 4 /PVP composite. The DOX release from CaFe 2 O 4 /PVP/DOX was studied under various pH environments. The results indicated a lower pH could result in more DOX release due to enhanced DOX solubility in the more acidic environment. The cytotoxicity study showed that CaFe 2 O 4 /PVP had low toxicity to the cells, and the DOX released from the carriers could kill the tumor cells as effectively as the pure DOX, but has higher release selectivity at tumor sites. This research proposed a promising platform for delivering DOX to the tumor sites by pH-regulated drug release. • Monodispersed cubic shape calcium ferrite (CaFe 2 O 4) nanoparticles were synthesized. • The surface of CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles was converted from hydrophobic to hydrophilic. • DOX was loaded to CaFe 2 O 4 nanoparticle surface for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]