Mechanism and applications of magnetoelectric nanoparticles in cancer therapy

Cancer remains a major clinical challenge, with current therapies often hampered by off-target effects, drug resistance, and incomplete tumor eradication. There is a pressing need for more precise and effective treatment strategies. This review explores the mechanisms and applications of magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs) in cancer therapy. MENPs, typically composed of magnetostrictive and piezoelectric materials in a core-shell structure, generate electric fields in response to magnetic fields, enabling targeted and noninvasive therapeutic actions. The literature search included recent advances in MENP synthesis, optimization of material composition and morphology, and preclinical studies demonstrating their ability to enhance drug delivery, disrupt tumor cell membranes, and induce tumor regression without systemic toxicity. Relevant studies were identified by searching electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The search employed a combination of keywords and phrases such as "magnetoelectric nanoparticles," "MENPs," "cancer therapy," "nanomedicine," "core-shell nanoparticles," "magnetostrictive," "piezoelectric," "drug delivery," "magnetic field," "nano-electroporation," and "reactive oxygen species.." MENPs represent a promising option for precision oncology, offering remote control over therapeutic effects and the potential to overcome limitations of conventional treatments. Ongoing research should focus on optimizing MENP design for selectivity and efficacy, as well as advancing their clinical translation for cancer therapy.