Abstract

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have gained considerable attention in drug delivery due to their superparamagnetic characteristics. SPIONs have a greater surface-to-volume ratio, size, superficial chemistry, and superparamagnetic characteristics, which allow them to be covered by external magnetic fields. These properties make SPIONs promising nanoparticles for drug delivery systems. A great advantage of the superparamagnetic characteristics is magnetic properties. SPIONs are magnetic and thoroughly demagnetized when the field of the electromagnet is pulled out. These characteristics permit their targeted delivery to a particular tissue or cell following a magnetic field. Furthermore, SPIONs can be fabricated with particular ligands, such as peptides or antibodies, to increase their efficiency in desired cells or tissues. This permits delivery, particularly to the desired cell type, increases therapeutic activity, and reduces off-target effects. Moreover, SPIONs exhibit imaging characteristics. However, this review highlights the capabilities of SPIONs for targeted drug delivery to reduce tumor cell toxicity.

Keywords: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, drug delivery systems, targeted delivery, chemotherapy, hyperthermia.