Construction of iron oxide nanoparticle-based hybrid platforms for tumor imaging and therapy

The aim of this original review is to highlight and analyze the most recent progress and challenges in the synthesis and surface modifications of superparamagnetic iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles (NPs) for multimodal imaging and therapy applications, which represent important fields in medicine in general and cancer in particular. Thus, the oncology domain is rapidly moving to a more personalized medicine including precision imaging and theranostic approaches. Novel biocompatible Fe₃O₄ nanoparticulate systems have been designed for enhanced and targeted cellular uptake by surface layer coating modifications, to have improved r₂ relaxivity for sensitive magnetic resonance (MR) imaging applications, to have the ability to be used for dual mode imaging, and to be used for imaging-guided cancer therapy. In this review, we analyzed in depth the new strategies for generating biocompatible multifunctional Fe₃O₄ nanoplatforms for both the diagnosis and therapy of cancer.