Nanosized magnetic particles for cancer theranostics

Abstract Recent advances in the arena of nanotechnology and material science have fueled a burgeoning interest particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Intense research efforts have been devoted to the finding of efficient antitumor approaches with minimal systematic side effects. In this context, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are emerging as a promising material in the areas of drug release, hyperthermia, enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and several theranostic modules. This could be only possible due to their exclusive physical properties, stability, magnetic susceptibility, biocompatibility, and other unique characteristics. However, for in vivo cancer theranostics, such MNPs need to harness additional properties in terms of size, surface charge, biodistribution, or clearance. Therefore, wider synthesis routes have been adopted so far to tune their functional attributes such as tumor targeting, biofunctionalization, and encapsulation of potential anticancer drugs. Herein, to acknowledge the unmet current clinical needs, this chapter shall provide a comprehensive summary underpinning state-of-the-art applications of MNPs in cancer theranostics. Lastly, some challenges and future outlooks in the areas are also discussed.