This Croatian Science Foundation project (IP-2022-10-3687) focuses on the development of a gamma-irradiation method for the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles, and the application of synthesized nanoparticles for hyperthermia treatment of cancer cells. Radiolytic synthesis (gamma-irradiation synthesis) is a relatively new method for nanoparticle synthesis. It is fast, efficient and it does not require the use of toxic/carcinogenic reducing agents, which gives her great advantages over classical methods of nanoparticle synthesis. By controlling irradiation parameters it allows good control of nanoparticle size, shape and phase composition.

In this project the anisotropic magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) of iron oxides and ferrites will be synthesized by γ-irradiation in the presence of suitable polymers. These nanoparticles exhibit high crystalline anisotropy and excellent magnetic properties and are nontoxic, making them suitable for magnetic hyperthermia (MF) treatment. Detailed microstructural characterization and magnetic and Mössbauer measurements will be performed to investigate the ferrimagnetic and/or superparamagnetic nature of the synthesized MNPs. These radiolytically synthesized MNPs will be used to kill cancer cells in the presence of an alternating magnetic field (AMF) by releasing heat resulting in temperature rise. It is expected that the synthesized anisotropic MNPs will have a much higher SAR (high specific absorption rate) than corresponding spherical MNPs. The magnetic heating efficiency of the samples will be analyzed to evaluate their potential for MH applications. These measurements will be performed using a commercial magnetic heating device to be purchased with funding from this project. The synthesized MNPs will be applied to cancer cells and their subcellular accumulation and the effect of magnetic hyperthermia on killing cancer cells will be measured. The cytotoxicity of MNPs will also be determined. Magnetic hyperthermia is thought to generate reactive oxygen species, leading to cancer cell death. We will specifically focus on elucidating the molecular mechanism of cell death.