Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for delivery of therapeutic agents: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

One of the major success determinants in targeted in vivo drug delivery using SPIONs is the adequacy of magnetic gradient. This can be partially achieved by using superconducting magnets, local implantation of magnets and application of magnetic stents. Other issues that must be considered include the pharmacokinetics and in vivo fate of SPIONs, their biodegradability, biocompatibility, potential side effects and the crucial impact of protein corona on either drug release profile or mistargeting. Surface modification of SPIONs can open up the possibility of drug delivery to intracellular organelles, drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier, modifying metabolic diseases and a variety of other multimodal and/or theranostic applications.

Magnetic Nanocarriers Enhance Drug Delivery Selectively to Human Leukemic Cells

“…Such unique properties of MNPs enabled their use as MRI contrast agents, hyperthermia agents, magnetic field guided localization vectors, and/or drug delivery vehicles [17]. Hence, MNPs are excellent candidates for targeted drug delivery and image-guided therapeutics with a great potential in clinical cancer theranostics [18,19]. Although there are many reports on the utilization of drug-loaded MNPs for cancer imaging and therapy [20][21][22][23][24], very few reports have focused on human leukemic cancer [9][10][11][12][25][26][27][28][29].…”

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Design of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Theranostic Applications

“…Generally carboxylates, phosphates, and phosphonates are preferred due to their high affinity for iron oxide surfaces. [308] Adsorption of carboxylic acid on metal oxide surfaces occurs due to their nucleophilic character through strong anionic and physical interaction with hydroxyl groups present on the electrophilic surfaces. [309] Among carboxylic acids, citric and dimercaptosuccinic acids have been used commercially for stabilizing iron oxide MNPs.…”

“…[312] However, this method suffers from labile carboxylic functions which can be easily broken by due to elevation of temperature or presence of carboxylic compounds with higher affinities to the surface. [308] Organophosphorus molecules, such as phosphonic acid, alkylphosphoric acid, and their salts, phosphates and phosphonates have been investigated as promising stabilizing Figure 25. Transmission electron micrographs of magnetite nanoparticles synthesized using a) fungus Fusarium oxysporum, b) fungus Verticillium sp.…”

Lightening up Ruthenium Complexes to Fight Cancer?

“…This behavior is very favorable, since normally Gram-(-) bacteria are more resistant to treatment. Interestingly, 3 was active against S. aureus (>6log 10 ), but not harmful for E. coli.…”

“…This unpredictable behavior can lead to undesired side effects. On the contrary, the unwanted activation of the prodrug can be overcome when an external stimulus such as light irradiation, [6][7][8] variation of the temperature, [8,9] ultrasound or magnetic field [10] is employed. Using such an approach, the medical doctor has a complete spatial and temporal control on the formation of the actual toxic species.…”