Promising biomedical applications using superparamagnetic nanoparticles

Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as powerful tools in biomedicine due to their distinct physicochemical characteristics, including a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, adjustable size, magnetic sensitivity, and compatibility with biological systems. These properties enable precise...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yosri A. Fahim, Ibrahim W. Hasani, Waleed Mahmoud Ragab
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-06-01
Series:European Journal of Medical Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02696-z
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849469974428516352
author Yosri A. Fahim
Ibrahim W. Hasani
Waleed Mahmoud Ragab
author_facet Yosri A. Fahim
Ibrahim W. Hasani
Waleed Mahmoud Ragab
author_sort Yosri A. Fahim
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as powerful tools in biomedicine due to their distinct physicochemical characteristics, including a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, adjustable size, magnetic sensitivity, and compatibility with biological systems. These properties enable precise control through external magnetic fields, making MNPs highly effective in targeted therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Although not inherently intelligent, they can exhibit programmable and responsive behavior under external influence, enhancing their utility in drug delivery and hyperthermia-based treatments. In the medical field, MNPs have been extensively explored for their role in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement, selective drug transport, hyperthermia cancer therapy, and biomolecular separation. Within oncology, they facilitate the direct delivery of therapeutic compounds to tumors, reducing systemic side effects and increasing treatment specificity. Additionally, their capacity to produce localized heat when exposed to alternating magnetic fields makes them instrumental in hyperthermia therapy, where malignant cells are selectively eradicated. A key advantage of MNPs is their adaptable surface chemistry, which allows for functionalization with biocompatible polymers, ligands, and other stabilizing agents. These modifications enhance their stability, minimize immune responses, and optimize their performance in physiological environments. Functionalized MNPs have contributed significantly to improving MRI contrast, refining drug delivery mechanisms, and increasing the effectiveness of hyperthermia treatments. This review examines recent breakthroughs in MNP-based medical technologies, with an emphasis on tumor targeting, drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier, and hyperthermia applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-ec875fd96e624469a9bd9c5b8a3f47a4
institution Kabale University
issn 2047-783X
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series European Journal of Medical Research
spelling doaj-art-ec875fd96e624469a9bd9c5b8a3f47a42025-08-20T03:25:18ZengBMCEuropean Journal of Medical Research2047-783X2025-06-0130112110.1186/s40001-025-02696-zPromising biomedical applications using superparamagnetic nanoparticlesYosri A. Fahim0Ibrahim W. Hasani1Waleed Mahmoud Ragab2Health Sector, Faculty of Science, Galala UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, S.P.U., M.P.U and Idlib UniversityAnatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Galala UniversityAbstract Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as powerful tools in biomedicine due to their distinct physicochemical characteristics, including a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, adjustable size, magnetic sensitivity, and compatibility with biological systems. These properties enable precise control through external magnetic fields, making MNPs highly effective in targeted therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Although not inherently intelligent, they can exhibit programmable and responsive behavior under external influence, enhancing their utility in drug delivery and hyperthermia-based treatments. In the medical field, MNPs have been extensively explored for their role in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enhancement, selective drug transport, hyperthermia cancer therapy, and biomolecular separation. Within oncology, they facilitate the direct delivery of therapeutic compounds to tumors, reducing systemic side effects and increasing treatment specificity. Additionally, their capacity to produce localized heat when exposed to alternating magnetic fields makes them instrumental in hyperthermia therapy, where malignant cells are selectively eradicated. A key advantage of MNPs is their adaptable surface chemistry, which allows for functionalization with biocompatible polymers, ligands, and other stabilizing agents. These modifications enhance their stability, minimize immune responses, and optimize their performance in physiological environments. Functionalized MNPs have contributed significantly to improving MRI contrast, refining drug delivery mechanisms, and increasing the effectiveness of hyperthermia treatments. This review examines recent breakthroughs in MNP-based medical technologies, with an emphasis on tumor targeting, drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier, and hyperthermia applications.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02696-zMagnetic nanoparticlesMagnetic hyperthermiaCancer therapyTarget drug delivery
spellingShingle Yosri A. Fahim
Ibrahim W. Hasani
Waleed Mahmoud Ragab
Promising biomedical applications using superparamagnetic nanoparticles
European Journal of Medical Research
Magnetic nanoparticles
Magnetic hyperthermia
Cancer therapy
Target drug delivery
title Promising biomedical applications using superparamagnetic nanoparticles
title_full Promising biomedical applications using superparamagnetic nanoparticles
title_fullStr Promising biomedical applications using superparamagnetic nanoparticles
title_full_unstemmed Promising biomedical applications using superparamagnetic nanoparticles
title_short Promising biomedical applications using superparamagnetic nanoparticles
title_sort promising biomedical applications using superparamagnetic nanoparticles
topic Magnetic nanoparticles
Magnetic hyperthermia
Cancer therapy
Target drug delivery
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02696-z
work_keys_str_mv AT yosriafahim promisingbiomedicalapplicationsusingsuperparamagneticnanoparticles
AT ibrahimwhasani promisingbiomedicalapplicationsusingsuperparamagneticnanoparticles
AT waleedmahmoudragab promisingbiomedicalapplicationsusingsuperparamagneticnanoparticles