Au nanostars@PDA@Fe3O4-based multifunctional nanoprobe for integrated tumor diagnosis and photothermal therapy

•An Au nanostars@PDA@Fe3O4-based multifunctional nanoprobe was studied for integrated diagnosis and treatment of animal tumors.•The Au nanostars@PDA@Fe3O4 structure has low photothermal conversion threshold and improved photothermal efficiency, which is promising for MRI, FL positioning, and photothermal treatment.•The composite bioprobe has impressive tumor targeting and biocompatibility.•Photothermal ablation of bulky solid tumors in a xenograft mouse model was achieved.