Research progress on magnetic nanoparticles for magnetic induction hyperthermia of malignant tumor

As a new malignant tumor therapy method with low side effect, high safety and efficiency, magnetic induction hyperthermia (MIH) has attracted great attention in recent years. As magnetic induction heating media, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are critical for the development of MIH. For clinical safety, the MNPs need a high heating efficiency to reduce the applied dose, minimizing the risk of side effect. Increasing the saturation magnetization and initial susceptibility, adjusting the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant and particle size to the optimal values are the effective methods of improving heating efficiency. On the other hand, a suitable Curie temperature is desired to realize the self-regulation of the therapy temperature, avoiding the use of clumsy and expensive temperature monitoring and control devices. Substituting the magnetic ions in tetrahedral (A) site of the spinel ferrite with nonmagnetic ions or magnetic ions with smaller magnetic moments can effectively reduce the superexchange interaction between the A and B (octahedral) sites, decreasing Curie temperature. Yet, the reduction of the Curie temperature by ion doping usually reduces the saturation magnetization, decreasing heating efficiency. Increasing the fraction of heat generated by relaxation loss and increasing the saturation magnetization may be used to improve the heating efficiency.

Automated summary

Magnetic induction hyperthermia is a new method for malignant tumor therapy that focuses on improving heating efficiency through increasing saturation magnetization and initial susceptibility of magnetic nanoparticles, adjusting particle size and magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant, and selecting an appropriate Curie temperature for self-regulation.