Magnetically based nanocarriers in drug delivery

Abstract Nanoparticles, which can be considered as one of the largest group of nanocarriers, have an important role in diagnostics and therapy. Incorporation of the nanoparticles prepared by synthetic and natural polymers with magnetic-based structures increases its efficiency. These nanoparticles, which respond to the magnetic field from the external environment and can be oriented magnetically, have been commonly used in cell isolation, controlled drug delivery, hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), gene transfection, and tissue engineering. Magnetic nanoparticles are widely used in cancer, gene, and cardiovascular therapies. They are modified by ligands which are specific to the target organ or tissues‘ receptor sites. These magnetic nanoparticles can also carry the agent to target organs or tissues by receptor–ligand binding. The magnetic targeting method involves targeting of the magnetic nanoparticles carrying therapeutic agents to target organs or tissues by intravenous injection of nanoparticles with manipulation of the magnetic field. Loading therapeutic agents to magnetic nanocarriers in the presence of a magnetic field provides chemotherapy and hyperthermia as well as targeting the drug. The magnetic field on magnetic nanoparticles will also increase the heat at the targeted site, which is also especially advantageous for cancer therapies.