Design of Iron oxide-based Nanoparticles for MRI and Magnetic Hyperthermia

Abstract

Iron oxide nanoparticles are widely used for biological applications thanks to their outstanding balance between magnetic properties, surface-to-volume ratio suitable for efficient functionalization and proven biocompatibility. Their development for MRI or magnetic particle hyperthermia concentrates much of the attention as these nanomaterials are already used within the health system as contrast agents and heating mediators. As such, the constant improvement and development for better and more reliable materials is of key importance. On this basis, this review aims to cover the rational design of iron oxide nanoparticles to be used as MRI contrast agents or heating mediators in magnetic hyperthermia, and reviews the state of the art of their use as nanomedicine tools.

Keywords:

• iron oxide
• magnetic hyperthermia
• MRI
• nanoparticles

Financial & competing interests disclosure

C. Blanco-Andujar thanks the Institut National du Cancer (INCa) for the financial support on her post-doctoral research position via the THERAMAG project. The Région Alsace, France, and the University of Mons, Belgium, are gratefully acknowledged for the doctoral fellowship to Catalina Bordeianu. The authors have no other 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 apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.