Fe3O4 Nanoparticles in Targeted Drug/Gene Delivery Systems

Abstract

Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs), the most traditional magnetic nanoparticles, have received a great deal of attention in the biomedical field, especially for targeted drug/gene delivery systems, due to their outstanding magnetism, biocompatibility, lower toxicity, biodegradability, and other features. Naked Fe3O4 NPs are easy to aggregate and oxidize, and thus are often made with various coatings to realize superior properties for targeted drug/gene delivery. In this review, we first list the three commonly utilized synthesis methods of Fe3O4 NPs, and their advantages and disadvantages. In the second part, we describe coating materials that exhibit noticeable features that allow functionalization of Fe3O4 NPs and summarize their methods of drug targeting/gene delivery. Then our efforts will be devoted to the research status and progress of several different functionalized Fe3O4 NP delivery systems loaded with chemotherapeutic agents, and we present targeted gene transitive carriers in detail. In the following section, we illuminate the most effective treatment systems of the combined drug and gene therapy. Finally, we propose opportunities and challenges of the clinical transformation of Fe3O4 NPs targeting drug/gene delivery systems.

Gene Therapy in Cancer Treatment: Why Go Nano?

“…Traditionally these nanosystems are used as contrast agents to improve magnetic resonance imaging [181]. Nevertheless, their possible application as carriers in gene therapy is increasing [182,183]. To improve internalization and lysosomal release, functionalization with PEI has been used [184].…”

NIR‐responsive Fe3O4@PPy nanocomposite for efficient potential use in photothermal therapy

“…These properties make Fe 3 O 4 NPs valuable agents in medical applications. [21][22][23][24][25][26] Specifically designed core-shell nanocomposites are widely used in the fields of biosensors, catalysts, and energy storage systems. Generally, metals and metal oxides, like Fe 3 O 4 are preferred to use in core covered by a thin polymeric structure to protect the core and increase stability and biosafety.…”

Facile Approach to Prepare rGO@Fe3O4 Microspheres for the Magnetically Targeted and NIR-responsive Chemo-photothermal Combination Therapy

“…Although many reported drug delivery systems have exhibited superior drug loading ability and controlled drug release behavior, their preclinical research and applications are also limited due to an insufficient specificity to target tumor tissues [24]. Among various drug target delivery systems, Fe 3 O 4 , a magnetic-target material is wildly used in cancer therapy for its high magnetic responses, stable quality, and easy achievement [25][26][27][28][29]. Ni group has developed an Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 core-shell structure nanoparticles with superparamagnetic property for magnetic targeting of tumors [30].…”