Multimodal superparamagnetic nanoplatform for clinical applications: immunoassays, imaging & therapy

A new type of multifunctional magnetic nano-platform for bioassays, diagnosis and therapy applications was designed using superparamagnetic gammaFe(2)O(3) nanoparticles conjugated to hydroxylmethylene bisphosphonate (HMBPs) molecules. The nanoparticle has two essential roles: to act as a probe owing to its specific magnetic properties and to carry on its surface antitumoral molecules (therapeutic applications) or precursor groups for the covalent coupling of biological recognition molecules, such as antibodies, nucleic acids (in vitro & in vivo diagnosis).