Magnetic nanoparticles as contrast agents in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles represent one of the most advanced developments in the application of nanotechnology to human health. To date, their clinical application has been restricted to the diagnosis of hepatic lesions and lymph node metastasis but functionalization of these materials with biomolecules as targeting motifs, and the inclusion of therapeutic drugs in their composition, is certain to make a substantial impact within biomedicine. One of the diseases that could benefit from these advances is cancer, as early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for a patient's survival and quality of life. This review will examine the recent uses of magnetic particles in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Nanotechnologies for biomedical science and translational medicine

“…These advances have enabled applications of ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic NPs for both in vitro and in vivo (imaging) diagnostic assays (85,86). For in vitro assays, biofunctionalized magnetic NPs have a history of use for magnet-assisted cell sorting.…”

Shape matters: synthesis and biomedical applications of high aspect ratio magnetic nanomaterials

“…We chose to focus only on magnetic nanomaterials based on the fact that spherical magnetic nanoparticles have shown the most promising bioapplications so far when compared to other nanostructured materials, for example in magnetic hyperthermia therapy of cancer, targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering, bioseparations and biosensing, as well as in the field of contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Therefore, we expect a similar interest in growth regarding anisotropic magnetic nanomaterials. In addition to the above-mentioned general features of high aspect ratio nanomaterials (longer blood circulation time and the possibility of multivalent and/ or selective biofunctionalization), magnetic anisotropy is attractive for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications, as well as for magnetic separation and manipulation.…”

99mTc radiolabelling of Fe3O4–Au core–shell and Au–Fe3O4dumbbell-like nanoparticles

“…[1][2][3][4] The most commonly used MNs are iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), especially as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents for T 2 -weighted acquisitions. 5 Although this specific modality has a high resolution, the sensitivity of contrast-enhanced acquisitions is limited.…”

“…One strategy is based on bifunctional ligands with a chelate for the radionuclide and an anchor for the IONP surface. de Rosales et al developed bisphosphonate ligands with a dipicolylaminechelator for the [ 99m Tc(CO) 3 ] + fragment or a dithiocarbamatechelator for 64 Cu. [8][9][10] This approach involves initial radiolabelling of the ligands, followed by coating on the IONP surface.…”