Biomedical nanoparticle carriers with combined thermal and magnetic response: Current preclinical investigations

Nanocarriers combining two or more different approaches in the same particle has been a new trend in research worldwide. Among the strategies studied, magnetic nanoparticles with dual properties related to drug delivery and diagnostic imaging represent a significant improvement in the response of chemotherapy and in a real-time monitoring of drug distribution. Nanocarriers combining dual properties such as thermal and magnetic, enable controlling the release and modulate a treatment giving more specificity of action. This is possible since a magnetic external field can allow the adequate movement of nanoparticles and provide a means to remotely heating the target tissue safely. The temperature increase can trigger changes in the structure of nanocarriers leading to the release of drugs. This field of study known as magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH), currently in order to improve the selective heating process has been used superparamagnetic nanostructured, mainly made up of iron oxide, coated or encapsulated in, mostly, polymeric nanoparticles. In this way, this review aims to provide an updated review of the state of art of nanostructured systems that combines simultaneously magnetic hyperthermia and thermal properties in the preclinical level investigation.