Iron-Based Hollow Nanoplatforms for Cancer Imaging and Theranostics

Over the past decade, iron (Fe)-based hollow nanoplatforms (Fe-HNPs) have attracted increasing attention for cancer theranostics, due to their high safety and superior diagnostic/therapeutic features. Specifically, Fe-involved components can serve as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents (CAs) and Fenton-like/photothermal/magnetic hyperthermia (MTH) therapy agents, while the cavities are able to load various small molecules (e.g., fluorescent dyes, chemotherapeutic drugs, photosensitizers, etc.) to allow multifunctional all-in-one theranostics. In this review, the recent advances of Fe-HNPs for cancer imaging and treatment are summarized. Firstly, the use of Fe-HNPs in single T₁-weighted MRI and T₂-weighted MRI, T₁-/T₂-weighted dual-modal MRI as well as other dual-modal imaging modalities are presented. Secondly, diverse Fe-HNPs, including hollow iron oxide (IO) nanoparticles (NPs), hollow matrix-supported IO NPs, hollow Fe-complex NPs and hollow Prussian blue (PB) NPs are described for MRI-guided therapies. Lastly, the potential clinical obstacles and implications for future research of these hollow Fe-based nanotheranostics are discussed.