Synthesis of hollow mesoporous HAp-Au/MTX and its application in drug delivery

Abstract A hollow mesoporous microspheres of hydroxyapatite-Au containing the anticancer agent of methotrexate (hmHAp-Au/MTX) were prepared here. Firstly, biocompatible hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (NPs) with a hollow core and mesoporous shell structure (hmHAp) were synthesized by a template method. Secondly, Au NPs were successfully conjugated onto the surface of hmHAp through the electrostatic attraction. The synthesized hmHAp-Au/MTX had high biocompatibility and pH responsive features. Moreover, the drug release of hmHAp-Au/MTX was pH-dependent because of the dissolution of HAp under acidic conditions. Furthermore, the combined treatment on the cancer cells by using hmHAp-Au/MTX for synergistic hyperthermia ablation and chemotherapy was demonstrated to exhibit higher therapeutic efficacy, presenting the great potential of the platform for cancer therapy.