Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia Based on Magnetic Nanoparticles: Physical Characteristics, Historical Perspective, Clinical Trials, Technological Challenges, and Recent Advances

Abstract

Advances in nanotechnology have resulted in the introduction of magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH), a promising noninvasive therapeutic localized cancer treatment. Exposure of a fluid of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) operating at biologically benign conditions leads to heat dissipation within the tumor and ultimate apoptosis and/or necrosis. Despite use in a clinical setting, there are still impediments preventing widespread use of MFH. These include insufficient heat dissipation potency of IONP fluid, inadequate dose or concentration of deposited fluid to the tumor, inhomogeneous distribution of fluid inside the tumor, the lack of control of real‐time monitoring of temperature rises during treatment, and exposure of the patients to X‐ray radiation produced by computed tomography (CT) scans. Accordingly, massive efforts have been put forth to promote the successful clinical adoption of MFH. In this contribution, the technique of MFH is described, including the present state of clinical MFH. The physical mechanisms behind heat dissipation by magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) that instigate cell death pathways are discussed, as is recent technological progress in the field toward the advancement of MFH. Finally, an outlook on the future considerations required to accelerate the clinical adoption of MFH is presented.

Electromagnetically Stimuli-Responsive Nanoparticles-Based Systems for Biomedical Applications: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives

“…Given these performance, clinical trials were performed for magnetic hyperthermia treatment of glioblastoma. The NPs used are aminosilane-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs dispersed in water (NanoTherm), with a magnetic field frequency of 100 kHz, an intensity of 0–15 kA/m (NanoActivator) [ 97 ]. Comparing the results obtained for conventional treatments, the median survival rate was increased from 12.1 months for patients treated only with radiotherapy (median age 57 years old) and 14.6 months for patients treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy (median age 56 years old) [ 98 ] to 23.2 months for the 59 patients tested (median age 56 years old) with magnetic hyperthermia and radiotherapy [ 99 , 100 ].…”

Advanced analysis of magnetic nanoflower measurements to leverage their use in biomedicine

“…Due to their ubiquitous use in biomedicine, magnetic nanostructures have become indispensable tools in life science applications. 1,2 For instance, these structures can locally heat up cancerous tissues in cancer hyperthermia treatments, 3,4 or act as medicine carriers that can be magnetically guided towards diseased sites in drug targeting. 5 Because of the local nature of these therapies, less systemic side effects and a higher therapeutic efficacy are achieved as compared to traditional treatments.…”

Nanomagnetic Actuation of Hybrid Stents for Hyperthermia Treatment of Hollow Organ Tumors

“…In order to prevent this, magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) treatment can be employed. In this way, therapeutically effective heat with temperatures in a range of 42 to 46 °C is generated, destroying tumor cells via apoptosis [ 9 , 10 ]. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) are known as promising heating agents suitable for the design of hybrid materials and textile implants with controllable heat output and specific saturation temperatures and, therefore, are widely investigated for cancer treatment by MFH.…”