Poly(ethylene glycol)-Based Hydrogel Nanocomposites with Iron Oxide and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Hyperthermia Cancer Therapy

Since nanocomposites have been shown to have remote heating capabilities and have demonstrated biocompatibility, a variety of applications in medicine are possible, particularly in hyperthermia cancer therapy. Hyperthermia is a type of treatment in which body tissue is exposed to moderate temperatures (up to 45ºC) for a period of time. In this research, hydrogel nanocomposites were demonstrated as potential candidates for remote heating using electromagnetic fields. Specifically, hydrogel nanocomposites based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and loaded with either iron oxide particles or single-walled carbon nanotubes, were fabricated via free-radical polymerization. Polymer-coated iron oxide nanoparticles were selected because of remote heating properties and biocompatibility within the body, while carbon nanotubes are of interest due to their ability to enhance the mechanical properties of composites. Heating studies were done to investigate the effects of composition of PEG and nanoparticles on heating properties. The nanocomposites were remotely heated via various electromagnetic fields to achieve surface temperatures in the hyperthermia range. Different particle loadings, combined with different electromagnetic field strengths, caused different heating results.