Abstract
We report here the design of nano-objects (i.e., denoted as MIL/USPIO-cit) that consist of nanoparticles of mesoporous iron trimesate metal-organic framework MIL-100(Fe), whose surface is decorated by maghemite nanoparticles. Not only is this bimodal nanovector produced through a cost-effective and reliable green approach, but it also exhibits excellent colloidal stability under simulated intravenous conditions, and its ability to encapsulate and progressively release drugs (doxorubicin here) is preserved. According to vibrating sample magnetometry and 57Fe Mössbauer spectrometry, MIL-USPIO-cit presents a superparamagnetic behavior characterized by a high saturation magnetization at room temperature. More importantly, it combines low toxicity with high anti-tumoral activity and can be used in vivo as an efficient MRI contrast agent because of its excellent relaxivity properties. All these properties make this nano-object a potential candidate as a bimodal therapeutic nanovector coupling drug-delivery and MRI properties.