Magnetic hyperthermia-based therapies for cancer targeting: current progress and future perspectives

Cancer has complicated pathological events, and conventional cancer therapy has limitations in the lack of selectivity, cytotoxicity, and the development of multidrug resistance. Hyperthermia, based on mild elevation in temperature up to 45 °C, can result in cancer cell death. However, the clinical applicability of MNPs for heating malignant cells is impeded by the difficulties of efficiently and selectively heating the tumors. The intravenous delivery of cancer-targeted magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), combined with the application of an external magnetic field, is designed to elevate the temperature in tumor tissue where the nanoparticles (NPs) are concentrated. While preclinical developments in magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) are promising, several challenges must be addressed before this method can be applied in clinical settings. This review article will explore the role of hyperthermia in inducing tumor cell death, the principles of utilizing MHT for cancer targeting, the potential advantages of combination therapies, the biocompatibility of MNPs, and the specific challenges associated with implementing MHT as a treatment for cancer.