Smart delivery systems for magnetic hyperthermia: the role of thermoresponsive drug delivery

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) is a cancer treatment option that relies on localized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) that, when exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF), can increase the tumor temperature and induce controlled cell death. However, heat alone may not be sufficient to completely eradicate the tumor, often being combined with chemotherapy. In this sense, the incorporation of MNPs into thermoresponsive systems yields a complex system in which this combination can be achieved within a single platform.

This review examines the most important aspects of designing a magnetothermally responsive system, focusing on the influence of thermal activation mode and on bulk and localized heating methods. The influence of polymer architecture and network design on system performance and spatio-temporal control is also analyzed. Further analysis of the mechanisms and kinetics of thermally induced drug release is also provided, demonstrating the possibilities and the limitations in the current literature.

The authors state that current magnetothermal devices are limited by an overreliance on external heating sources and by insufficient mechanistic quantification of AMF-specific local heating effects on transport regimes. They highlight the need for quantitative structure-property relationships and propose integrating advanced design features for reliable thermal control.