Iron-based nanomaterials for tumor therapy: structural engineering and functional mechanisms

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Oncology

Background:

• Cancer therapeutics face challenges including systemic toxicity, tumor hypoxia, immune suppression, and treatment resistance.
• Iron-based nanomaterials possess unique properties addressing these clinical barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in iron-based nanomaterials for cancer therapy.
• To highlight their mechanistic roles in chemodynamic therapy, magnetic hyperthermia, and ferroptosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on iron-based nanomaterials (iron oxides, ZVI, alloys, MOFs, SACs).
• Analysis of their catalytic properties (Fenton-like activity) and magnetic responsiveness.
• Examination of their mechanisms in triggering ROS generation, hyperthermia, and ferroptosis.

Main Results:

• Iron-based nanomaterials demonstrate multifunctional capabilities for cancer treatment.
• Their Fenton-like activity enables *in situ* ROS generation, while magnetic properties allow for localized hyperthermia.
• These platforms induce ferroptosis and oxidative stress-mediated cell death, modulating the tumor microenvironment.

Conclusions:

• Integrated iron-based nanomaterials show significant potential as versatile platforms for multimodal cancer therapy.
• Linking structural/redox characteristics with catalytic efficiency is key to optimizing therapeutic response.
• These nanomaterials offer promising solutions for overcoming current limitations in cancer treatment.