An Advanced Thermal Decomposition Method to Produce Magnetic Nanoparticles with Ultrahigh Heating Efficiency for Systemic Magnetic Hyperthermia

Development and Perspectives: Multifunctional Nucleic Acid Nanomedicines for Treatment of Gynecological Cancers

Gynecological malignancies are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. Due to delayed presentation, gynecological cancer patients are often referred late in the disease's course, resulting in poor outcomes. A considerable number of patients ultimately succumb to chemotherapy-resistant disease, which reoccurs at advanced stages despite treatment interventions. Although efforts have been devoted to developing therapies that demonstrate reduced resistance to chemotherapy and enhanced toxicity profiles, current clinical outcomes remain unsatisfactory due to treatment resistance and unfavorable off-target effects. Consequently, innovative biological and nanotherapeutic approaches are imperative to strengthen and optimize the therapeutic arsenal for gynecological cancers. Advancements in nanotechnology-based therapies for gynecological malignancies offer significant advantages, including reduced toxicity, expanded drug circulation, and optimized therapeutic dosing, ultimately leading to enhanced treatment effectiveness. Recent advances in nucleic acid therapeutics using microRNA, small interfering RNA, and messenger RNA provide novel approaches for cancer therapeutics. Effective single-agent and combinatorial nucleic acid therapeutics for gynecological malignancies have the potential to transform cancer treatment by giving safer, more tailored approaches than conventional therapies. This review highlights current preclinical studies that effectively exploit these approaches for the treatment of gynecological malignant tumors and malignant ascites.

Alternating magnetic field guiding system for MNP hyperthermia treatment of deep-seated cancers

OBJECTIVES

Demonstrate the potential application of a novel, endoscope-like device to guide and focus an alternating magnetic field (AMF) for treating deep-seated cancers via magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia (MNPH).

METHODS

AMF delivery, MNP activation, and eddy current distribution characteristics are investigated through experimental studies in phantoms and computational simulations using a full 3-dimensional human model. The 3D simulations compare the novel device to traditional AMF designs, including a MagForce-like, two-coil system (used clinically) and a single surface-coil system.

RESULTS

The results demonstrate that this approach can deliver the same magnetic field strength at the prostate's centroid as traditional AMF designs, while reducing eddy current heating by 2 to 6 times. At the same level of normal tissue heating, this method provides 5.0 times, 1.5 times, and 0.92 times the magnetic field strength to the nearest, centroid, and farthest regions of the prostate, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate proof-of-concept for an endoscopic magnetic field guiding and focusing system capable of delivering clinically relevant AMF from a distance. This innovative approach offers a promising alternative to conventional field delivery methods by directing AMF through the body, concentrating it in the tumor region, reducing eddy currents in surrounding healthy tissue, and avoiding exposure of nearby metallic implants.

Magnetic Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Review from Synthesis to Biomedical Frontiers

Nanotechnology has opened new doors of exploration, particularly in materials science and healthcare. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), the tiny magnets, because of their various properties, have the potential to bring about radical changes in the field of medicine. The distinctive surface chemistry, nontoxicity, biocompatibility, and, in particular, the inducible magnetic moment of magnetic materials has attracted a great deal of interest in morphological structures from a variety of scientific domains. This review presents a concise overview of MNPs and their crucial properties and synthesis routes. It also aims to highlight the continuous synthesis methods available for MNP production. In recent years, the use of computational methods for understanding the behavior of nanoparticles has been on the rise. Thus, we also discuss the numerical models developed to understand how magnetic nanoparticles can be used in magnetic hyperthermia and targeting the Circle of Wilis. With the increasing use of MNPs in biomedical applications, it becomes necessary to understand the mechanisms of toxicity, which are elucidated in this review. The review focuses on the biomedical applications of MNPs in drug delivery, theranostics, and MRI contrasting agents. We anticipate that this article will broaden the perspective on magnetic nanoparticles and help to understand their functionality and applicability better.

Remote-controlled dexamethasone-duration on eye-surface with a micelle-magnetic nanoparticulate co-delivery system for dry eye disease

Dexamethasone (DEX) is used to treat ocular surface diseases. However, regulating DEX duration in tears while preventing its absorption into the anterior chamber is critical for balancing its therapy effects and the side effects. In this study, a novel magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-micelle (MC) co-delivery system (MMDS) was developed. The MC moiety in the MMDS served as the carrier for DEX and the MNP part endowed the MMDS with magnetic-responsive properties. To extend its residency, the MMDS was magnetically attracted by an external magnet after instilling, which acted as a precorneal drug-depot enabling a sustainable release of DEX in tears. With combination of magnet treatment, the topical instillation of MMDS@DEX significantly prolonged the DEX-retention in tears and increased the DEX-concentration in the cornea and conjunctiva, as well as concurrently reduced the DEX-level in the aqueous humor, when compared with the commercial DEX eye drop treatment. The combination of MMDS@DEX and magnet treatment exerted significantly better therapeutic effects against DED with smaller side effects than conventional treatments including DEX suspension, commercial DEX eye drops, as well as the MMDS@DEX treatment alone. The present work provided a new method for the effective delivery of DEX to ocular surface tissues while reducing its side effects, which will be beneficial to the treatments of a wide range of ocular surface diseases.

The Recent Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Biomedical Fields

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have found extensive application in the biomedical domain due to their enhanced biocompatibility, minimal toxicity, and strong magnetic responsiveness. MNPs exhibit great potential as nanomaterials in various biomedical applications, including disease detection and cancer therapy. Typically, MNPs consist of a magnetic core surrounded by surface modification coatings, such as inorganic materials, organic molecules, and polymers, forming a nucleoshell structure that mitigates nanoparticle agglomeration and enhances targeting capabilities. Consequently, MNPs exhibit magnetic responsiveness in vivo for transportation and therapeutic effects, such as enhancing medical imaging resolution and localized heating at the site of injury. MNPs are utilized for specimen purification through targeted binding and magnetic separation in vitro, thereby optimizing efficiency and expediting the process. This review delves into the distinctive functional characteristics of MNPs as well as the diverse bioactive molecules employed in their surface coatings and their corresponding functionalities. Additionally, the advancement of MNPs in various applications is outlined. Additionally, we discuss the advancements of magnetic nanoparticles in medical imaging, disease treatment, and in vitro assays, and we anticipate the future development prospects and obstacles in this field. The objective is to furnish readers with a thorough comprehension of the recent practical utilization of MNPs in biomedical disciplines.

Magnetic-Plasmonic Nanocomposites as Versatile Substrates for Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Spectroscopy

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, a highly sensitive technique for detecting trace-level analytes, relies on plasmonic substrates. The choice of substrate, its morphology, and the excitation wavelength are crucial in SERS applications. To address advanced SERS requirements, the design and use of efficient nanocomposite substrates have become increasingly important. Notably, magnetic-plasmonic (MP) nanocomposites, which combine magnetic and plasmonic properties within a single particle system, stand out as promising nanoarchitectures with versatile applications in nanomedicine and SERS spectroscopy. In this review, we present an overview of MP nanocomposite fabrication methods, explore surface functionalization strategies, and evaluate their use in SERS. Our focus is on how different nanocomposite designs, magnetic and plasmonic properties, and surface modifications can significantly influence their SERS-related characteristics, thereby affecting their performance in specific applications such as separation, environmental monitoring, and biological applications. Reviewing recent studies highlights the multifaceted nature of these materials, which have great potential to transform SERS applications across a range of fields, from medical diagnostics to environmental monitoring. Finally, we discuss the prospects of MP nanocomposites, anticipating favorable developments that will make substantial contributions to various scientific and technological areas.

Unveiling the Biologically Dynamic Degradation of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles via a Continuous Flow System

Nanomaterials are increasingly being employed for biomedical applications, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of their degradation behavior and potential toxicity in the biological environment. This study utilizes a continuous flow system to simulate the biologically relevant degradation conditions and investigate the effects of pH, protein, redox species, and chelation ligand on the degradation of iron oxide nanoparticles. The morphology, aggregation state, and relaxivity of iron oxide nanoparticles after degradation are systematically characterized. The results reveal that the iron oxide nanoparticles degrade at a significantly higher rate under the acidic environment. Moreover, incubation with bovine serum albumin enhances the stability and decreases the dissolution rate of iron oxide nanoparticles. In contrast, glutathione accelerates the degradation of iron oxide nanoparticles, while the presence of sodium citrate leads to the fastest degradation. This study reveals that iron oxide nanoparticles undergo degradation through various mechanisms in different biological microenvironments. Furthermore, the dissolution and aggregation of iron oxide nanoparticles during degradation significantly impact their relaxivity, which has implications for their efficacy as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents in vivo. The results provide valuable insights for assessing biosafety and bridge the gap between fundamental research and clinical applications of iron oxide nanoparticles.

Advanced manufacturing of nanoparticle formulations of drugs and biologics using microfluidics

Numerous innovative nanoparticle formulations of drugs and biologics, named nano-formulations, have been developed in the last two decades. However, methods for their scaled-up production are still lagging, as the amount needed for large animal tests and clinical trials is typically orders of magnitude larger. This manufacturing challenge poses a critical barrier to successfully translating various nano-formulations. This review focuses on how microfluidics technology has become a powerful tool to overcome this challenge by synthesizing various nano-formulations with improved particle properties and product purity in large quantities. This microfluidic-based manufacturing is enabled by microfluidic mixing, which is capable of the precise and continuous control of the synthesis of nano-formulations. We further discuss the specific applications of hydrodynamic flow focusing, a staggered herringbone micromixer, a T-junction mixer, a micro-droplet generator, and a glass capillary on various types of nano-formulations of polymeric, lipid, inorganic, and nanocrystals. Various separation and purification microfluidic methods to enhance the product purity are reviewed, including acoustofluidics, hydrodynamics, and dielectrophoresis. We further discuss the challenges of microfluidics being used by broader research and industrial communities. We also provide future outlooks of its enormous potential as a decentralized approach for manufacturing nano-formulations.

Targeted Nanocarriers for Systemic Delivery of IRAK4 Inhibitors to Inflamed Tissues

Persistent and uncontrolled inflammation is the root cause of various debilitating diseases. Given that interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a critical modulator of inflammation, inhibition of its activity with selective drug molecules (IRAK4 inhibitors) represents a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammatory disorders. To exploit the full potential of this treatment approach, drug carriers for efficient delivery of IRAK4 inhibitors to inflamed tissues are essential. Herein, the first nanoparticle-based platform for the targeted systemic delivery of a clinically tested IRAK4 inhibitor, PF-06650833, with limited aqueous solubility (57 µg mL-1 ) is presented. The developed nanocarriers increase the intrinsic aqueous dispersibility of this IRAK4 inhibitor by 40 times. A targeting peptide on the surface of nanocarriers significantly enhances their accumulation after intravenous injection in inflamed tissues of mice with induced paw edema and ulcerative colitis when compared to non-targeted counterparts. The delivered IRAK4 inhibitor markedly abates inflammation and dramatically suppresses paw edema, mitigates colitis symptoms, and reduces proinflammatory cytokine levels in the affected tissues. Importantly, repeated injections of IRAK4 inhibitor-loaded nanocarriers have no acute toxic effect on major organs of mice. Therefore, the developed nanocarriers have the potential to significantly improve the therapeutic efficacy of IRAK4 inhibitors for different inflammatory diseases.

Novel Nanoparticle-Based Treatment and Imaging Modalities

Over the last twenty years, nanomaterials have been widely used in cancer research [...].