Magnetic nanoparticle design for medical diagnosis and therapy

TLDR

Magnetic nanoparticles are promising as MRI contrast agents and as mediators for cancer hyperthermia. This review investigates the in vivo applications of magnetic nanoparticles, addressing current challenges and exploring future solutions. The authors analyze physical requirements such as relaxivity and SAR, biodistribution determinants like size and surface properties, and propose strategies to extend blood half‑life and target tumor cells.

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles have attracted attention because of their current and potential usefulness as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or colloidal mediators for cancer magnetic hyperthermia. This review examines these in vivo applications through an understanding of the involved problems and the current and future possibilities for resolving them. A special emphasis is made on magnetic nanoparticle requirements from a physical viewpoint (e.g. relaxivity for MRI and specific absorption rate for hyperthermia), the factors affecting their biodistribution (e.g. size, surface hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, etc.) and the solutions envisaged for enhancing their half-life in the blood compartment and targeting tumour cells.