A bi-modal approach against cancer: Magnetic alginate nanoparticles for combined chemotherapy and hyperthermia

The use of polymeric carriers containing dispersed magnetic nanocrystailline particles has attracted considerable interest in the medical field. In this paper, We propose an innovative nanotechnological platform for cancer therapy, based on highly magnetized, biodegradable, and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles. Alginate magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by our group by an efficient emulsion/reticulation technique and tested as drug delivery system. Here, we present a potential application that combines, in a single nanovector, efficient targeting, overcoming of bio-barriers, drug delivery, and physical disruption of tumor tissues. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.