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Review
. 2017 Jan;12(1):73-87.
doi: 10.2217/nnm-2016-0316. Epub 2016 Nov 23.

Magnetic nanoparticles for precision oncology: theranostic magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for image-guided and targeted cancer therapy

Lei Zhu  1 , Zhiyang Zhou  1   2 , Hui Mao  1 , Lily Yang  1
Affiliations
Review

Magnetic nanoparticles for precision oncology: theranostic magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for image-guided and targeted cancer therapy

Lei Zhu et al. Nanomedicine (Lond). 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Recent advances in the development of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have shown promise in the development of new personalized therapeutic approaches for clinical management of cancer patients. The unique physicochemical properties of MNPs endow them with novel multifunctional capabilities for imaging, drug delivery and therapy, which are referred to as theranostics. To facilitate the translation of those theranostic MNPs into clinical applications, extensive efforts have been made on designing and improving biocompatibility, stability, safety, drug-loading ability, targeted delivery, imaging signal and thermal- or photodynamic response. In this review, we provide an overview of the physicochemical properties, toxicity and theranostic applications of MNPs with a focus on magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Keywords: iron oxide nanoparticle; magnetic nanoparticles; theranostic.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial & competing interests disclosure This research project was supported by the NIH/NCI grants U01CA151810, 1U01CA198913, R01CA154846 and the Nancy Panoz Endowed Chair Funds. The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Figures

<b>Figure 1.</b>
Figure 1.. Types, modifications and functions of theranostic magnetic nanoparticles in biomedical applications.
<b>Figure 2.</b>
Figure 2.. Size effects on MRI signals and biodistribution of iron oxide nanoparticle.
(A) The MRI contrast enhancement effects of IONPs. T1- (left) and T2- (right) weighted MR images of the IONPs aqueous solutions with different Fe concentrations were demonstrated. SIO3 exhibits the best T1 contrast enhancement due to the highest surface-to-volume ratio. (B) Clearance studies of intravenously administered with different size of IONPs. A fast clearance of SIO3 in the RES organs, such as the live and spleen, was found. IONP: Iron oxide nanoparticle; RES: Reticuloendothelial system; SIO3: 3.5-nm IONPs coated with oligosaccharides. Reproduced with permission from [18] © the Royal Society of Chemistry (2014).
<b>Figure 3.</b>
Figure 3.. Theranostic iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI-guided chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer.
(A) Design of activatable IONP theranostic complex. Gemcitabine is conjugated onto IONP via a cathespin B substrate and will be released in endosome and lysosome. The amino-terminal fragment (ATF) peptides of uPA is used for targeting pancreatic tumor. (B) MRI monitoring the therapeutic response of controlled released gemcitabine. (C) Histologic staining confirms the targeted therapeutic of pancreatic tumor. IONP: Iron oxide nanoparticle; uPA: Urokinase plasminogen activator. Adapted with permission from [93]. © American Chemical Society (2016).
<b>Figure 4.</b>
Figure 4.. Theranostic iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI-guided gene therapy of pancreatic cancer.
(A) Schematic representation of siPLK1-coupled streptavidin-conjugated dextran-coated SPIONs (siPLK1-StAv-SPIONs) conjugated to the membrane translocation peptide for mediating transportation to the cytoplasm (myristoylated polyarginine peptides), the underglycosylated MUC1 (uMUC1)-specific peptide (EPPT1) and siRNA molecules targeting PLK1 (siPLK1). (B) MRI visualization of the accumulation of siPLK1-StAv-SPIONs in pancreatic tumor. (C) Kaplan-Meier survival analysis from the time of enrolment to treatment with siControl-StAv-SPIONs (n = 14), BI6727 (n = 13) or siPLK1-StAv-SPIONs (n = 14). Dotted line window indicates maximum duration of therapy. Median survival time of siPLK1-StAv-SPION treatment (96 days) was significantly different to the siControl-StAv-SPION treatment (74 days). EPTT1: Palmitoyl-protein thioesterase 1; MUC1: Mucin 1; PLK1: Polo-like kinase-1; SPION: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle. Reproduced with permission from [110] © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. (2016).
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