Multifunctional Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications: A Review

Due to their good magnetic properties, excellent biocompatibility, and low price, magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are the most commonly used magnetic nanomaterials and have been extensively explored in biomedical applications. Although magnetic IONPs can be used for a variety of applications in biomedicine, most practical applications require IONP-based platforms that can perform several tasks in parallel. Thus, appropriate engineering and integration of magnetic IONPs with different classes of organic and inorganic materials can produce multifunctional nanoplatforms that can perform several functions simultaneously, allowing their application in a broad spectrum of biomedical fields. This review article summarizes the fabrication of current composite nanoplatforms based on integration of magnetic IONPs with organic dyes, biomolecules (e.g., lipids, DNAs, aptamers, and antibodies), quantum dots, noble metal NPs, and stimuli-responsive polymers. We also highlight the recent technological advances achieved from such integrated multifunctional platforms and their potential use in biomedical applications, including dual-mode imaging for biomolecule detection, targeted drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, chemotherapy, and magnetic hyperthermia therapy.

Magnetic Nanomaterials for Arterial Embolization and Hyperthermia of Parenchymal Organs Tumors: A Review

Magnetic hyperthermia (MH), proposed by R. K. Gilchrist in the middle of the last century as local hyperthermia, has nowadays become a recognized method for minimally invasive treatment of oncological diseases in combination with chemotherapy (ChT) and radiotherapy (RT). One type of MH is arterial embolization hyperthermia (AEH), intended for the presurgical treatment of primary inoperable and metastasized solid tumors of parenchymal organs. This method is based on hyperthermia after transcatheter arterial embolization of the tumor's vascular system with a mixture of magnetic particles and embolic agents. An important advantage of AEH lies in the double effect of embolotherapy, which blocks blood flow in the tumor, and MH, which eradicates cancer cells. Consequently, only the tumor undergoes thermal destruction. This review introduces the progress in the development of polymeric magnetic materials for application in AEH.

Effect of Superparamagnetic DMSO@γ-Fe2O3 Combined with Carmustine on Cervical Cancer

This study aimed to investigate the effects of DMSO@γ-Fe2O3 nanomagnetic fluid thermotherapy combined with the chemotherapy drug carmustine on cervical cancer cells under a certain intensity of alternating magnetic field. And the role of Mir-590-3P in the development and progression of cervical cancer. The optimal thermotherapy concentration of γ-Fe2O3 nanomaterials on cervical cancer cells was determined by in vitro heating. In addition, the MTT colorimetric method was used to evaluate the toxic effect of γ-Fe2O3 magnetic nanoparticles on cervical cancer cells, and the optimal therapeutic concentration of carbachol on cervical cancer cells was optimized (0.015 g · L−1). The cervical cancer cells were divided into control, γ-Fe2O3 hyperthermia, chemotherapy, and DMSO@γ-Fe2O3 combined chemotherapy groups. After 2 h exposure to hypothermic conditions, flow cytometry was used to assess cell apoptosis for each group. The heating effect of the γ-Fe2O3 magnetic nanomaterials was apparent. When the concentration of γ-Fe2O3 was ≥6 g· L−1, the temperature rise above 41 °C. γ-Fe2O3 is non-toxic to cervical cancer cells and has good biocompatibility. Taking the drug concentration of IC25 as the working concentration of this study, the working concentration of carmustine was 0.015 g · L−1. Both the 41 °C heat treatment and chemotherapy alone had a killing effect on glioma and cervical cancer cells (P < 0.05). Additionally, the combined inhibitory effect of DMSO@γ-Fe2O3 nanomagnetic fluid thermotherapy and drugs at this temperature was significantly stronger than that of thermotherapy and chemotherapy alone (P < 0.05). For the control, gamma-Fe2O3 hyperthermia, chemotherapy, and DMSO@γ-Fe2O3 combined chemotherapy groups, the apoptosis rates of the cervical cancer cells were 1.4%, 18.6%, 24.12%, and 38.97%, respectively. DMSO@γ-Fe2O3 nanomagnetic fluid thermotherapy combined with the chemotherapeutic drug carmustine exerted a noticeable toxic effect on the cervical cancer cells, and DMSO@γ-Fe2O3 significantly enhanced the killing effect of carmustine on cervical cancer cells.

Application of Nanomaterials in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease are very harmful brain lesions. Due to the difficulty in obtaining therapeutic drugs, the best treatment for neurodegenerative diseases is often not available. In addition, the bloodbrain barrier can effectively prevent the transfer of cells, particles and macromolecules (such as drugs) in the brain, resulting in the failure of the traditional drug delivery system to provide adequate cellular structure repair and connection modes, which are crucial for the functional recovery of neurodegenerative diseases. Nanomaterials are designed to carry drugs across the blood-brain barrier for targets. Nanotechnology uses engineering materials or equipment to interact with biological systems at the molecular level to induce physiological responses through stimulation, response and target site interactions, while minimizing the side effects, thus revolutionizing the treatment and diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Some magnetic nanomaterials play a role as imaging agents or nanoprobes for Magnetic Resonance Imaging to assist in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. Although the current research on nanomaterials is not as useful as expected in clinical applications, it achieves a major breakthrough and guides the future development direction of nanotechnology in the application of neurodegenerative diseases. This review briefly discusses the application and advantages of nanomaterials in neurodegenerative diseases. Data for this review were identified by searches of PubMed, and references from relevant articles published in English between 2015 and 2019 using the search terms “nanomaterials”, “neurodegenerative diseases” and “blood-brain barrier”.