Tearable and fillable composite sponges capable of heat generation and drug release in response to alternating magnetic field

Tearable and fillable implants are used to facilitate surgery. The use of implants that can generate heat and release a drug in response to an exogenous trigger, such as an alternating magnetic field (AMF), can facilitate on-demand combined thermal treatment and chemotherapy via remote operation. In this study, we fabricated tearable sponges composed of collagen, magnetite nanoparticles, and anticancer drugs. Crosslinking of the sponges by heating for 6 h completely suppressed undesirable drug release in saline at 37 °C but allowed drug release at 45 °C. The sponges generated heat immediately after AMF application and raised the cell culture medium temperature from 37 to 45 °C within 15 min. Heat generation was controlled by switching the AMF on and off. Furthermore, in response to heat generation, drug release from the sponges could be induced and moderated. Thus, remote-controlled heat generation and drug release were achieved by switching the AMF on and off. The sponges destroyed tumor cells when AMF was applied for 15 min but not when AMF was absent. The tearing and filling properties of the sponges may be useful for the surgical repair of bone and tissue defects. Moreover, these sponges, along with AMF application, can facilitate combined thermal therapy and chemotherapy.