Smart Design of ZnFe and ZnFe@Fe Nanoparticles for MRI‐Tracked Magnetic Hyperthermia Therapy: Challenging Classical Theories of Nanoparticles Growth and Nanomagnetism

Abstract

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs) hold the potential to exert significant influence on fighting cancer through their theranostics capabilities as contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and as mediators for magnetic hyperthermia (MH). In addition, these capabilities can be improved by doping IONPs with other elements. In this work, we report the synthesis and characterization of single‐core and alloy ZnFe novel magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), with improved magnetic properties and more efficient magnetic‐to‐heat conversion. Remarkably, our results challenge classical nucleation and growth theories, which cannot fully predict the final size/shape of these nanoparticles and, consequently, their magnetic properties, implying the need for further studies to better understand the nanomagnetism phenomenon. On the other hand, leveraging the enhanced properties of these new NPs, successful tumor therapy by MH was achieved following their intravenous administration and tumor accumulation via the EPR effect. Notably, these results were obtained using a single low dose of MNPs and a single exposure to clinically suitable alternating magnetic fields (AMF). Therefore, as far as we are aware, we demonstrate, for the first time, the successful application of intravenously administered MNPs for MRI‐tracked MH tumor therapy in passively targeted tumor xenografts using clinically suitable conditions.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

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