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How do magnetic nanoparticles use hyperthermia to destroy tumor tissue?

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Gold and palladium alloy nanoparticles — nanoparticle Image showing nanoparticles of an alloy of gold (yellow) and palladium (blue) on an acid-treated carbon support (gray). These particles were employed as catalysts for the formation of hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen (white) and oxygen (red).

Magnetic nanoparticles are used in cancer therapy to destroy tumors through a process known as hyperthermia. In this application, these particles—often composed of superparamagnetic iron oxide—are introduced to the target site. When an external alternating magnetic field is applied, the nanoparticles generate heat on a local scale.1

This localized heating is effective because some tumors are more sensitive to elevated temperatures, such as 43 °C (109.4 °F), than surrounding healthy tissue. By precisely heating the tumor, the nanoparticles can damage or destroy the diseased tissue while minimizing harm to the rest of the body. This method represents a significant advancement in targeted medical treatments, offering a way to provide localized therapy that can be used independently or to enhance the effectiveness of other treatments like radiation or chemotherapy.21