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Ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles: synthesis, surface modification, assembly, and biomedical applications
Cong Song1, Wenjie Sun1, Yunchao Xiao1
1State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, People's Republic of China.
Drug Discovery Today
|January 15, 2019
Summary
Ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (<5nm) show promise for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Strategies to improve their stability and functionality are key for applications like magnetic resonance imaging and drug delivery.
Area of Science:
- Nanomaterials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Chemistry
Background:
- Ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles (USIO NPs) <5nm are emerging nanomaterials.
- USIO NPs face challenges including poor colloidal stability, low r1 relaxivity, and limited functionality.
- These drawbacks hinder their biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in USIO NP synthesis, surface modification, and self-assembly.
- To address key issues hindering the biomedical application of USIO NPs.
- To highlight their potential in cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of synthesis strategies for controllable USIO NP sizes.
- Discussion of surface modification techniques, particularly polymer coating.
- Analysis of self-assembly methods for combining USIO NPs with other nanoscale platforms.
Main Results:
- Progress in synthesizing size-controlled USIO NPs.
- Effective surface modification strategies to enhance stability and functionality.
- Development of self-assembled USIO NP systems for integrated applications.
- Demonstrated potential in magnetic resonance imaging, multimodal imaging, drug delivery, and theranostics.
Conclusions:
- Advancements in synthesis, modification, and assembly are overcoming USIO NP limitations.
- USIO NPs are increasingly viable for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
- Future research directions focus on optimizing USIO NPs for clinical translation.
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