Synthetic and mechanistic outlines of magnetoelectric nanomedicine for targeted cancer therapy.

The synthesis of magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENPs) has attracted increasing attention in the field of the treatment of cancer and other diseases worldwide. Recent developments in drug delivery systems like magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based platforms are particularly attractive as their motion and build-up at a target can be modulated by an external magnetic field, leading to highly selective delivery at diseased sites. The potential is built upon the magnetic properties of MENPs that enable imaging and targeting, transport of therapeutic agents, as well as bio functionality due to surface modifications. The majority of MENPs are formulated from superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) that are usually coated with materials such as polymers, liposomes, silica, or other biocompatible materials. Internationally, several MENP formulations containing common anticancer agents including paclitaxel, doxorubicin, docetaxel, cisplatin, and camptothecin have been formulated. These were advantages with respect to traditional magnetic drug carriers in terms of drug dose and release profiles. Besides drug delivery, MENPs are of great interest for theranostic applications which refer to the combination of therapy and diagnosis. The magnetoelectric (ME) nanoparticles are synthesized, functionalized, and used in biomedical arena are summarized and focused on their growing significance in cancer treatment and diagnostic imaging.