Methods for obtaining and applying magnetic nanoparticles in cancer diagnosis and treatment: A review

Cancer is a heterogeneous disease with multiple mechanisms of immune response evasion, resistance, proliferation, and survival. According to the World Health Organization, its mortality rate has increased due to the poor habits of the population (tobacco, low consumption of vegetables and fruits, alcohol, and drugs), which added to poor and inefficient health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries, has turned it into the second leading cause of death worldwide. Nanomedicine has allowed the research and development of new therapeutic systems with magnetic nanoparticles. Our review aimed at reporting the main methods for obtaining magnetic nanoparticles and discussing briefly their functionalization and application in the field of oncology. Our search was carried out in indexed journals available in scientific databases. We selected high-impact articles with the highest number of citations. Through inclusion and exclusion criteria we established specific indicators for magnetic nanoparticles and biomedical applications. Our results evidenced that the most widely used are the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) due to their multifunctionality, and excellent physico-chemical, and biological properties. Furthermore, they are highly cytotoxic for cancer cells, and produce a high percentage of cell death. Finally, alternative treatments such as magnetic hyperthermia, gene therapy, and drug administration reduce side effects as compared with conventional treatments positioning them as promising treatments. In addition, contrast agents used in magnetic resonance imaging improve diagnosis.