Magnetic nanoparticles in theranostics of malignant melanoma

Abstract

Malignant melanoma is an aggressive tumor with a tendency to metastasize early and with an increasing incidence worldwide. Although in early stage, melanoma is well treatable by excision, the chances of cure and thus the survival rate decrease dramatically after metastatic spread. Conventional treatment options for advanced disease include surgical resection of metastases, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Today, targeted kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint blockers have for the most part replaced less effective chemotherapies. Magnetic nanoparticles as novel agents for theranostic purposes have great potential in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. In the present review, we provide a brief overview of treatment options for malignant melanoma with different magnetic nanocarriers for theranostics. We also discuss current efforts of designing magnetic particles for combined, multimodal therapies (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy) for malignant melanoma.

Keywords: Magnetic nanoparticles; Melanoma; SPIONs; Theranostics.

Fig. 1

Schematic overview of currently applied therapies for the treatment of malignant melanoma. Abbreviations: T: T cells; APC: antigen-presenting cell; CTLA-4: cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein-4; PD-1: programmed cell death protein 1; PD-L1: PD ligand 1; i: inhibitor

Fig. 2

Schematic representation of magnetic nanoparticle and its application in melanoma theranostics

Fig. 3

Schematic overview of the potential use of nanoparticles alone or in combination with approved treatment options in malignant melanoma, exemplified for nanoparticles with Fe₃O₄ core. Abbreviations: CA: contrast agent; Ab: antibody