Magnetic nanoparticles in hyperthermia therapy: a mini-review

Abstract

The activation of MNPs for hyperthermia therapy via an external alternating magnetic field is an interesting method in targeted cancer therapy. This mini-review explains new developments and implications of magnetic nanofluids mediated magnetic hyperthermia for their potential use in future clinical settings. The external alternating magnetic field generates heat in the tumor area to eliminate cancer cells. Depending on the tumor type and targeted area, several kinds of MNPs with different coating agents of various morphology and surface charge have been developed. The tunable physiochemical characteristics of MNPs enhance their heating capability. In addition, heating efficiency is strongly associated with the amount of the applied magnetic field and frequency. The great efforts have offered promising preclinical trials of magnetic hyperthermia via MNPs as a smart nanoagent. MNPs are very appropriate to be considered as a heating source in MHT and prospective research in this field will lead to tackle the problems from chemotherapy and introduce promising therapeutic techniques and nanodrug formulations for remotely controlled drug release and anticancer effects. This mini-review aims to pinpoint synthesis and structural analysis of various magnetic nanoparticles examined for magnetic hyperthermia therapy and controlled drug release in cancer treatment.