Magnetic and Gold Nanoparticles Optimized for Cancer Treatment via Cell Hitchhiking

To date, targeting cancer cells by nanoparticles has been limited due to physical and biological obstructions, including the mononuclear phagocyte system. A novel approach for prolongation of nanoparticle circulation is cellular `hitchhiking', or use of cells as vehicles to increase co-delivery of cancer therapeutics and particles to affected tissue. In this work, we studied the main characteristics of nanoagents based on magnetic and gold particles, to ensure optimal physicochemical characteristics. The developed agents hold promise to overcome the challenges that still hinder effective drug delivery for treatment of such complex diseases as cancer.