Iron Oxide-Based Nanostructures for MRI and Magnetic Hyperthermia

Abstract

Many different nanostructures have been developed for biomedical applications to date. Among them, iron oxide nanoparticles have been very prominent in MRI in diagnostic radiology. Nowadays, nanoparticle-based therapeutic applications have gained increased interest, leading to the development of a great variety of different and, in parts, sophisticated nanoparticle formulations. Whereas nanotherapy has been confined to the preclinical phase, magnetic hyperthermia has entered into the clinical phase via controlled studies in patients. Owing to the versatility of nanoparticles, researchers envision the combination of multiple modalities (e.g., targeting, diagnostics and therapy) to one carrier. Nevertheless, such approaches have been challenging due to the necessity of the adaptation of at least partially counteracting parameters between the different modalities, which will be analyzed in this review.

Keywords::

• imaging
• iron oxide nanoparticles
• magnetic hyperthermia
• MRI
• target affinity

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors hold patents on iron oxide formulations (DE 10 2006 041 495) as well as on the equipment for induction of magnetic fields (DE 102005062746). 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.

Additional information

Funding

The authors hold patents on iron oxide formulations (DE 10 2006 041 495) as well as on the equipment for induction of magnetic fields (DE 102005062746). 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.