Cancer therapy with drug loaded magnetic nanoparticles—magnetic drug targeting

The aim of magnetic drug targeting (MDT) in cancer therapy is to concentrate chemotherapeutics to a tumor region while simultaneously the overall dose is reduced. This can be achieved with coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles bound to a chemotherapeutic agent. These particles are applied intra arterially close to the tumor region and focused to the tumor by a strong external magnetic field. The interaction of the particles with the field gradient leads to an accumulation in the region of interest (i.e. tumor). The particle enrichment and thereby the drug-load in the tumor during MDT has been proven by several analytical and imaging methods. Moreover, in pilot studies we investigated in an experimental in vivo tumor model the effectiveness of this approach. Complete tumor regressions without any negative side effects could be observed.

Research Highlights
► Iron oxide nanoparticles can be enriched in tumors by external magnetic fields.
► Histology evidences the intravasation of particles enter the intracellular space.
► Non-invasive imaging techniques can display the spatial arrangement of particles.
► HPLC-analysis show outstanding drug enrichment in tumors after MDT.