Magnetic nanoparticles for magnetomechanical cell destruction and magnetic hyperthermia agents

Recently, magnetic nanoparticles are gaining interest for use in magnetic biomedical applications, such as magnetomechanical cell destruction and magnetic hyperthermia. Biofunctionalized NiFe microdiscs, with the application of a low-frequency alternating magnetic field, have been used to demonstrate magnetomechanical cancer-cell destruction by generating an oscillatory motion that transmits a mechanical force to the cell [1]. A magnetization reversal can also occur in magnetic nanoparticles due to a high-frequency alternating magnetic field resulting in the production of thermal energy, which is expressed by the specific absorption rate (SAR) [2]. The heating ability of magnetic nanoparticles shows great potential for a non-invasive and powerful therapy technique for biomedical applications, such as magnetic hyperthermia. By focusing the magnetic nanoparticles at the tumor site, the temperature at the targeted region can be raised to 42-46 °C, which will greatly lower the viability of cancer cells. The advantage of these methods over the conventional cancer therapy is the localization of treatment of the cancer tumor, which minimizes the detrimental side effects experienced by the patient.