Title : Magnetic hyperthermia via nano spinel ferrites for possible treatment of cancer
Abstract:
In order to eliminate cancer cells, hyperthermia is a therapeutic technique that involves raising body temperature to a range of 42–46 °C. The use of magnetic nanoparticles in the magnetic fluid hyperthermia method has attracted significant interest in cancer clinics among hyperthermia therapeutic approaches because it selectively heats cancer cells by targeting them with an AC magnetic field. New approaches to cure cancer are localized procedures without affecting surrounding tissues with high effectiveness and low side effects are highly demanded. Since mixed spinel ferrites with nanostructure have acceptable magnetic characteristics, are chemically stable, and are biocompatible, they have been used as heating mediators for cancer treatment. The general formula of these groups of magnetic materials is M1−xNxFe2O4, where M and N are divalent metallic ions. Furthermore, by adjusting the composition, cation distribution, particle size and distribution via the synthesis method, their magnetic properties, such as saturation magnetization, magnetic susceptibility, and heat generation rate, can be manipulated. In the present study, the synthesis and use of M1−xNxFe2O4 mixed spinel ferrites for possible cancer treatment were evaluated. The synthesis parameters on the structure and magnetic properties were discussed. Results showed a wide variety of saturation magnetizations from 34 to 76 emu/g were obtained based on the composition and heat treatment temperature. The heating efficiency of these spinel ferrites under an AC field showed a fast increase in temperature from 25 to 49 °C in 10 min. The MTT assay showed a degree of cytotoxicity in high concentrations of nanoparticles. However, coating samples with a natural polymer not only reduced the risk of cytotoxicity but also improved the capability of samples to load with anticancer drugs which endows the nanoparticles with the benefits of the synergic effect of hyperthermia and chemotherapy. The specific loss power of these nanomaterials was also investigated and discussed.