A review paper on iron oxide nanoparticle based strategies in cancer treatment

Abstract

The advanced approach of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) offers new opportunities in the field of diagnosing life-threatening diseases including cancer treatment. Due to their superior magnetic anisotropy, irreversible ability of high and low field magnetization, and superparamagnetism, they display the special potential to respond to therapeutic doses (in magnetic hyperthermia and targeted drug delivery). This review focuses on the current progress of the IONs application as magnetic therapeutic agents along with the synthesis methods and surface modification to enhance efficacy of the particles. The findings include the use of these nanoparticles for cancer treatment in the form of contrast agent, drug carriers, and through cell tracking with the assistance of MRI. Lastly, some emerging problems associated with IONs toxicity and the necessary steps that should be established to overcome them are mentioned briefly as well.