Three magneto-plasmonic nanohybrids were synthesized using Au- and Ag-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles
(NPs)-modified dual pH- and temperature-responsive triblock copolymer of poly (butyl methacrylate-co-
acrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) to serve as drug carriers with potential of using in both photothermal
and controlled/targeted chemotherapies. The internal superparamagnetic core gives the carriers
targeted-delivery characteristics, and surface plasmon resonanceebased noble metallic Au/Ag shells give
them on-demand photothermal and photo-triggering release properties. To investigate the effect of
coating method on the targeting property of synthesized carriers, Au NPs were attached to the magnetic
core by 2 different direct/indirect procedures and the properties of the synthesized carriers including
swelling ratio and thermal and optical sensitivity and switching were comprehensively investigated in 2
different buffer solutions with pH 5.5 and 7.4 at 37C. Letrozolewas used as a model anticancer drug and
its loading and release properties were evaluated for the four nanocarriers. The cytotoxicity of drug-free
and letrozole-loaded nanocarriers on normal L929 fibroblast and MDAMB 231 breast cancer cell lines
was evaluated in absence/presence of laser radiation. The results revealed that the carriers have the
potential of serving as switchable trimodal light/temperature/pH-triggered and targeted/controlled drug
delivery platforms for chemophotothermal therapy.