Mesoporous biocompatible and acid-degradable magnetic colloidal nanocrystal clusters with sustainable stability and high hydrophobic drug loading capacity.

Fabrication of magnetic particles (MPs) with high magnetization and large surface area simultaneously is critical for the application of MPs in bioseparation and drug delivery but remains a challenge. In this article, we describe an unprecedented approach to synthesize mesoporous magnetic colloidal nanocrystal clusters (MCNCs) stabilized by poly(γ-glutamic acid) (PGA) with high magnetization, large surface area (136 m(2)/g) and pore volume (0.57 cm(3)/g), excellent colloidal stability, prominent biocompatibility, and acid degradability. This result provides the important step toward the construction of a new family of MCNCs and demonstrates its capacity in a "magnetic motor" drug delivery system. Here, as an example, we explore the applicability of as-prepared mesoporous MCNCs as hydrophobic drug delivery vehicles (paclitaxel as model drug), and the resultant loading capacity is as high as 35.0 wt %. The antitumor efficacy measured by MTT assay is significantly enhanced, compared with free drugs. Thus, combined with their inherent high magnetization, the mesoporous MCNCs pave the way for applying magnetic targeting drug carriers in antitumor therapeutics.