Nanovectors for anticancer agents based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Laurence Douziech-Eyrolles, Hervé Marchais, Katel Hervé, Emilie Munnier, Martin Soucé, Claude Linassier, Pierre Dubois, Igor Chourpa

Université François Rabelais, “Focalisation magnétique d’agents anticancéreux”, Tours, F-37000, France; IFR-135, “Imagerie fonctionnelle”, Tours, F-37000, France

Abstract: During the last decade, the application of nanotechnologies for anticancer drug delivery has been extensively explored, hoping to improve the efficacy and to reduce side effects of chemotherapy. The present review is dedicated to a certain kind of anticancer drug nanovectors developed to target tumors with the help of an external magnetic field. More particularly, this work treats anticancer drug nanoformulations based on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with biocompatible polymers. The major purpose is to focus on the specific requirements and technological difficulties related to controlled delivery of antitumoral agents. We attempt to state the problem and its possible perspectives by considering the three major constituents of the magnetic therapeutic vectors: iron oxide nanoparticles, polymeric coating and anticancer drug.

Keywords: magnetic drug targeting, iron oxide nanoparticles, anticancer agent