Iron oxide "nanoflowers" for cancer treatment

Chemists from the CNRS have studied the properties and efficacy of iron oxide nanoparticles as potential agents for magnetic hyperthermia. This promising cancer treatment technique involves locally destroying cancerous cells using nanoparticles heated by a magnetic field.

Some original structures, such as "nanoflowers," exhibit optimal magnetic properties for this medical application.


Iron oxide nanoparticles are being extensively studied for their potential as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as heat mediators for magnetic hyperthermia. This novel targeted cancer therapy uses alternating magnetic fields to heat nanoparticles, causing the local destruction of cancer cells. Iron oxide nanoparticles, in particular, exhibit magnetic properties well-suited to this therapeutic approach.

A team of scientists from the Laboratory of Organic Polymer Chemistry and the Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Bordeaux (CNRS/Bordeaux INP/University of Bordeaux), with support from the PLACAMAT platform (CNRS/University of Bordeaux), synthesized several batches of nanoparticles with sizes ranging between 10 and 30 nm (0.01 and 0.03 microns) and varying structures.

They analyzed the relationship between size, structure, and magnetic properties using techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and magnetometry. The performance of the nanoparticles in magnetic hyperthermia was evaluated by measuring the specific absorption rate, which represents the heating efficiency of the nanoparticles under alternating magnetic fields.

The study shows that the efficiency is maximal for 22 nm (0.022 micron) nanoparticles under certain alternating magnetic field conditions. The scientists also observed that nanoflower structures with multiple cores offer better magnetic performance, particularly under high-amplitude fields.

This study, published in the journal ChemPhysChem, paves the way for large-scale production of nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Optimizing the synthesis methods of iron oxide nanoparticles could allow precise control of their size and structure, and thus their efficiency for magnetic hyperthermia, with promising prospects for personalized treatments of certain cancers.

Writer: AVR

References:
Structure-function relationship of iron oxide nanoflowers: Optimal sizes for magnetic hyperthermia depending on alternating magnetic field conditions.
Megi Bejko, Yasmina Al Yaman, Auriane Bagur, Anthony C. Keyes, Patrick Rosa, Marion Gayot, François Weill, Stéphane Mornet, Olivier Sandre.
Chem Phys Chem 2024
https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.202400023