Magnetic nanoparticles coated with dimercaptosuccinic acid: development, characterization, and application in biomedicine

This review intends to summarize some of the results achieved in the development of magnetic nanoparticles coated with anionic ligands, specifically dimercaptosuccinic acid applied in the biomedical area. We describe synthetic routes used to produce iron oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles, subsequently coated with DMSA as well as functionalization strategies for specific purposes with polymers, antibodies, and cytokines. Finally, we have collected data on biological interactions of DMSA-coated nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo, in particular cell interaction process, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution in different animal models and their promising applications in drug delivery, NMR imaging, hyperthermia, nanothermometry, magnetic separation, and bioremediation.