Magnetic nanoparticles: multifunctional tool for cancer therapy

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Cancer has one of the highest mortality rates globally. The traditional therapies used to treat cancer have harmful adverse effects. Considering these facts, researchers have explored new therapeutic possibilities with enhanced benefits. Nanoparticle development for cancer detection, in addition to therapy, has shown substantial progress over the past few years.

Area covered

Herein, the latest research regarding cancer treatment employing magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in chemo-, immuno-, gene-, and radiotherapy along with hyperthermia is summarized, in addition to their physio-chemical features, advantages, and limitations for clinical translation have also been discussed.

Expert opinion

MNPs are being extensively investigated and developed into effective modules for cancer therapy. They are highly functional tools aimed at cancer therapy owing to their excellent superparamagnetic, chemical, biocompatible, physical, and biodegradable properties.

KEYWORDS:

• Cancer
• chemotherapy
• gene therapy
• hyperthermia
• immunotherapy
• magnetic nanoparticles
• radiotherapy

Article highlights

• Among various nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as innovative treatment agents for modernizing therapeutic applications in cancer therapy.

• MNPs modified with various coatings are developed to improve physico-chemical features.

• Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are commonly used in tailored medicine for cancer theranostics.

• MNPs are being incorporated into immunotherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hyperthermia, and gene therapy to treat cancer effectively.

• Despite the benefits of consuming MNPs in cancer therapy, there is still room for improvement in engineering MNPs to target tumor cells more effectively.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.