Recent advances and future prospects of iron oxide nanoparticles in biomedicine and diagnostics

Abstract

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are considered as chemically inert materials and, therefore, being extensively applied in the areas of imaging, targeting, drug delivery and biosensors. Their unique properties such as low toxicity, biocompatibility, potent magnetic and catalytic behavior and superior role in multifunctional modalities have epitomized them as an appropriate candidate for biomedical applications. Recent developments in the area of materials science have enabled the facile synthesis of Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) offering easy tuning of surface properties and surface functionalization with desired biomolecules. Such developments have enabled IONPs to be easily accommodated in nanocomposite platform or devices. Additionally, the tag of biocompatible material has realized their potential in myriad applications of nanomedicines including imaging modalities, sensing, and therapeutics. Further, IONPs enzyme mimetic activity pronounced their role as nanozymes in detecting biomolecules like glucose, and cholesterol etc. Hence, based on their versatile applications in biomedicine, the present review article focusses on the current trends, developments and future prospects of IONPs in MRI, hyperthermia, photothermal therapy, biomolecules detection, chemotherapy, antimicrobial activity and also their role as the multifunctional agent in diagnosis and nanomedicines.

The Role of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Cancer Nanotheranostics

“…Magnetic iron oxide nanosystems coated with cobalt tetraoxide (Co 3 O 4 ) originated a core-shell hetero-nanocomposite that provided MNP stabilization, more controllable shell thickness and enhanced magnetic behaviour [43]. In turn, magnetic nanosystems of reduced size, sugar-coated (glyconanoparticles) and MNPs presenting negative surface charge have demonstrated to exhibit biocompatibility, and prolonged blood circulation time [69].…”

“…The application of biomolecule functionalization to MNPs comprises a different strategy for enhancing stability in the diverse conditions of the biological media (e.g., pH and temperature) enabling the design of non-enzymatic biosensors for biomarker detection in cancer diagnosis [69]. Platforms of this nature have further application, for example, by conjugation of the Glut antibody with the MNPs in the detection of glucose transporter, protein Glut-1, which have been demonstrated to be significantly involved in glucose transport in cancer cells [69].…”

“…In the context of diagnosis, these nanosized ensembles can be designed to perform as contrast agents in MRI, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Computed Tomography (CT), Single Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT), Photoacoustic Imaging (PAI) and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). On the other hand, MNPs for therapeutic applications may serve as drug delivery agents, gene delivery agents and/or thermoablation agents tuned for magnetic hyperthermia, Photothermal Therapy (PTT) and/or Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) [69].…”

Conjugates of neuroprotective chaperone L-PGDS provide MRI contrast for detection of amyloid β-rich regions in live Alzheimer’s Disease mouse model brain

“…Iron oxide nanoparticles have been approved as an MR contrast agent by the US Food and Drug Administration, being successfully used to visualize vasculature in clinical cases of brain disorders [15,16]. Magnetic nanoparticles can be modulated for required characteristics such as biocompatibility, multi-functionality, detectability, and formation of chemical interactions which can suitably be utilized to develop useful clinical agents [17].…”

Cisplatin-functionalized three-dimensional magnetic SBA-16 for treating breast cancer cells (MCF-7)

“…The most striking features of magnetic/silica-based nanotherapeutics is the ability of nanoparticle to accommodate several components into a nano structure to generate multifunctional modality. In particular, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) uses in biomedical applications are advantageous due to human tolerance level and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [5]. Nonetheless, designing such multifunctional drug carriers are still marred by certain critical issues like passivation due to multiple inorganics, low pHsensitive and toxicity at high dose level.…”