How Magnetic Composites are Effective Anticancer Therapeutics? A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Abstract

Chemotherapy is the most prominent route in cancer therapy for prolonging the lifespan of cancer patients. However, its non-target specificity and the resulting off-target cytotoxicities have been reported. Recent in vitro and in vivo studies using magnetic nanocomposites (MNCs) for magnetothermal chemotherapy may potentially improve the therapeutic outcome by increasing the target selectivity. In this review, magnetic hyperthermia therapy and magnetic targeting using drug-loaded MNCs are revisited, focusing on magnetism, the fabrication and structures of magnetic nanoparticles, surface modifications, biocompatible coating, shape, size, and other important physicochemical properties of MNCs, along with the parameters of the hyperthermia therapy and external magnetic field. Due to the limited drug-loading capacity and low biocompatibility, the use of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as drug delivery system has lost traction. In contrast, MNCs show higher biocompatibility, multifunctional physicochemical properties, high drug encapsulation, and multi-stages of controlled release for localized synergistic chemo-thermotherapy. Further, combining various forms of magnetic cores and pH-sensitive coating agents can generate a more robust pH, magneto, and thermo-responsive drug delivery system. Thus, MNCs are ideal candidate as smart and remotely guided drug delivery system due to a) their magneto effects and guideability by the external magnetic fields, b) on-demand drug release performance, and c) thermo-chemosensitization under an applied alternating magnetic field where the tumor is selectively incinerated without harming surrounding non-tumor tissues. Given the important effects of synthesis methods, surface modifications, and coating of MNCs on their anticancer properties, we reviewed the most recent studies on magnetic hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery systems in cancer therapy, and magnetothermal chemotherapy to provide insights on the current development of MNC-based anticancer nanocarrier.

Advancements in Stimulus-Responsive Co-Delivery Nanocarriers for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy

“…133 The nanoparticles can selectively attach onto functional molecules and allow transportation to target locations under an external magnetic field induced by an electromagnet or permanent magnet. [134][135][136] Magnetothermal therapy (MHT) refers to the induction of tumor cytotoxicity by a magnetic thermal agent. This agent is capable of generating a large amount of heat when exposed to an applied alternating magnetic field (AMF).…”

Magnetic Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles in Regenerative Medicine and Nanomedicine

“…This therapeutic approach only removes tumor cells by using heat radiation, while ensuring that there are no adverse impacts on healthy microorganisms. In this approach, magnetic compounds are required to target cancer tissues by applying an external magnetic field [ 297 ]. Mondal et al successfully proved the potential benefits of magnetic hydroxyapatite for magnetic hyperthermia cancer treatment by the fabrication of a magnetic composite with desirable characteristics.…”

Recent progress of iron-based nanomaterials in gene delivery and tumor gene therapy

“…When iron oxide NPs are accumulated at the tumor site, MH can only occur in the tumor area without damaging normal tissue. MHT has the advantages of high selectivity, high biocompatibility, and deep tissue penetration [90,91]. Yin et al [86] synthesized mesoporous magnetic NPs as a gene carrier to deliver and activate heat-inducible therapeutic plasmid (Fig.…”