Clinical applications of magnetic nanoparticles for hyperthermia

TLDR

Magnetic fluids are increasingly used clinically for drug delivery, MRI, and hyperthermia, where nanoparticles injected into tumors are heated by an alternating magnetic field to kill cells or sensitize them to therapy, but only one approach has reached clinical trials. The authors aim to summarize the clinical data obtained from studies of magnetic fluid hyperthermia. They review and synthesize the clinical trial results on magnetic fluid hyperthermia.

Abstract

Magnetic fluids are increasingly used for clinical applications such as drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic fluid hyperthermia. The latter technique that has been developed as a cancer treatment for several decades comprises the injection of magnetic nanoparticles into tumors and their subsequent heating in an alternating magnetic field. Depending on the applied temperature and the duration of heating this treatment either results in direct tumor cell killing or makes the cells more susceptible to concomitant radio- or chemotherapy. Numerous groups are working in this field worldwide, but only one approach has been tested in clinical trials so far. Here, we summarize the clinical data gained in these studies on magnetic fluid induced hyperthermia.