The magnetite (Fe(3)O(4)) nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation of Fe(3+) and Fe(2+) with an aqueous NaOH solution. The Fe(3)O(4)/polyaniline (PANI) magnetic composite nanoparticles with a core-shell structure with a diameter of 30-50 nm were prepared via an in situ polymerization of aniline in an aqueous solution containing the Fe(3)O(4) magnetic fluid. The inductive heat property of Fe(3)O(4)/PANI composite nanoparticles in an alternating current (ac) magnetic field was investigated. The potential of Fe(3)O(4)/PANI nanoparticles was evaluated for localized hyperthermia treatment of cancers. The saturation magnetization, M(s), and coercivity, H(c), are 50.05 emu g(-1) and 137 Oe for Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles and 26.34 emu g(-1) and 0 Oe for Fe(3)O(4)/PANI composite nanoparticles, respectively. Exposed in the ac magnetic field for 29 min, the temperatures of physiological saline suspensions containing Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles or Fe(3)O(4)/PANI composite nanoparticles are 63.6 degrees C and 52.4 degrees C, respectively. The Fe(3)O(4)/PANI composite nanoparticles would be useful as good thermoseeds for localized hyperthermia treatment of cancers.