Engineered Magnetic Nanomaterials for Hyperthermia Based Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Magnetic hyperthermia is an emerging adjunct cancer therapy that enables localized, minimally invasive heating of tumors within the therapeutic range of 42–47 °C. In this window, heat disrupts cellular homeostasis, denatures proteins, and sensitizes malignant cells to chemo- and radiotherapy while limiting damage to healthy tissues. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) act as nanoscale heat mediators under an alternating magnetic field (AMF), with efficiency measured by the specific absorption rate (SAR), which depends on magnetic properties (MS, TC) and AMF conditions. Engineering nanoparticles with Curie temperatures (TC) within the therapeutic window allows intrinsic self-regulation and prevents overheating.