Magnetic nanoparticles in nanomedicine: a review of recent advances

Abstract

Nanomaterials, in addition to their small size, possess unique physicochemical properties that differ from bulk materials, making them ideal for a host of novel applications. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are one important class of nanomaterials that have been widely studied for their potential applications in nanomedicine. Due to the fact that MNPs can be detected and manipulated by remote magnetic fields, it opens a wide opportunity for them to be used in vivo. Nowadays, MNPs have been used for diverse applications including magnetic biosensing (diagnostics), magnetic imaging, magnetic separation, drug and gene delivery, and hyperthermia therapy, etc. Specifically, we reviewed some emerging techniques in magnetic diagnostics such as magnetoresistive (MR) and micro-Hall (μHall) biosensors, as well as the magnetic particle spectroscopy, magnetic relaxation switching and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based bioassays. Recent advances in applying MNPs as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging and as tracer materials in magnetic particle imaging are reviewed. In addition, the development of high magnetic moment MNPs with proper surface functionalization has progressed exponentially over the past decade. To this end, different MNP synthesis approaches and surface coating strategies are reviewed and the biocompatibility and toxicity of surface functionalized MNP nanocomposites are also discussed. Herein, we are aiming to provide a comprehensive assessment of the state-of-the-art biological and biomedical applications of MNPs. This review is not only to provide in-depth insights into the different synthesis, biofunctionalization, biosensing, imaging, and therapy methods but also to give an overview of limitations and possibilities of each technology.

<p>In vivo Comparison of the Biodistribution and Toxicity of InP/ZnS Quantum Dots with Different Surface Modifications</p>

“…The change itself may bring potential risks and cause harm to the biological system. 54,55 InP QDs are recognized as the low-toxic or non-toxic substitutes for Cd-based QDs. It is necessary to evaluate the safety of InP QDs with different surface modifications before practical applications.…”

Therapeutic lipid-coated hybrid nanoparticles against bacterial infections

“…157 Interestingly, such MNPs with their superior superparamagnetic qualities hold the potential to be manipulated by an external magnetic eld and be developed into active delivery systems. 158,159 However, their application is strongly limited by the high cytotoxicity which is oen associated with MNPs. Lipids are biocompatible molecules with an amphiphilic structure, emerging as perfect candidates to produce nanobiointerfaces by coating the MNPs surface, which improves the MNPs stability toward aggregation and reduces the related cytotoxic effects.…”

Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles and Nanowires—A Brief Introduction

“…Magnetic particles of different size (nano-and micro-) and various composition resulting in different magnetization (superparamagnetic and ferromagnetic) have found numerous applications in biotechnology [1] and medicine [2][3][4][5]. Particularly, they are used for magneto-controlled targeting (delivering drugs [6,7], genes [8], radiopharmaceuticals [9]), in magnetic resonance imaging [10], in various diagnostic applications [11], for biosensing [12] (e.g., immunoassays [13]), RNA and DNA purification [14], gene cloning, cell separation and purification [15].…”