Shape-, size- and structure-controlled synthesis and biocompatibility of iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic theranostics

Abstract

In the past decade, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have attracted more and more attention for their excellent physicochemical properties and promising biomedical applications. In this review, we summarize and highlight recent progress in the design, synthesis, biocompatibility evaluation and magnetic theranostic applications of IONPs, with a special focus on cancer treatment. Firstly, we provide an overview of the controlling synthesis strategies for fabricating zero-, one- and three-dimensional IONPs with different shapes, sizes and structures. Then, the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility evaluation and biotranslocation of IONPs are discussed in relation to their chemo-physical properties including particle size, surface properties, shape and structure. Finally, we also highlight significant achievements in magnetic theranostic applications including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), magnetic hyperthermia and targeted drug delivery. This review provides a background on the controlled synthesis, biocompatibility evaluation and applications of IONPs as cancer theranostic agents and an overview of the most up-to-date developments in this area.

Shape Anisotropic Iron Oxide-Based Magnetic Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Biomedical Applications

“…Synthesis of nanoparticles with controlled shape has been a main challenge in the last decade [24], yet most of the described methods and strategies are confined to magnetite nanoparticles. A gap is thus kept between the shapes that have been already developed and the metal composition that would be of interest to afford improved magnetic and contrast properties, besides other technological applications.…”

“…High-quality nanoparticles are attained by different methods, which can be separated in three main classes: physical, chemical and biological [25]. Physical methods include pulsed laser ablation and pyrolysis, while chemical encompass a wide variety of methods, such as co precipitation, hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis, thermal decomposition, sol-gel synthesis, sonochemical decomposition, microemulsion, microwave-assisted and electrochemical synthesis [24][25][26]. Biological routes include the bacterial and microorganism synthesis [24][25][26].…”

“…Physical methods include pulsed laser ablation and pyrolysis, while chemical encompass a wide variety of methods, such as co precipitation, hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis, thermal decomposition, sol-gel synthesis, sonochemical decomposition, microemulsion, microwave-assisted and electrochemical synthesis [24][25][26]. Biological routes include the bacterial and microorganism synthesis [24][25][26]. The advantages and disadvantages of the common methods are included in Table 1, besides examples of spherical and anisotropic shape nanoparticles obtained through each method.…”

Pharmaceutical Applications of Iron-Oxide Magnetic Nanoparticles

“…Cancer magnetic theranostics is attracting increasing interest and can provide a powerful strategy for cancer therapy. Theranostics based on IOMNPs enables tracking the theranostic agent's location, constantly controlling the therapeutic process, and evaluating the efficacy of the treatment [14]. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency and functionality of the therapy [129].…”

“…In the last few decades, the use of iron-oxide nanoparticles displaying magnetic properties attracted great interest in many application areas, from magnetic recording media to pharmaceutical applications such as therapy and drug delivery [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. Each application of these nanoparticles needs specific and, sometimes, different properties [1,12,15].…”