Evaluation of nanoparticles-based thermotherapy for cancer

Abstract

Under alternating magnetic field, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can be used to generate heat for the treatment of cancer. With suitable coating, these nanoparticles are biocompatible, stable in solution, and absorbed by tumor cells in good contrast. The mechanism of heating is mainly due to Neel relaxation process and a quantity called specific loss power (SLP) / specific absorption rate (SAR) is used to describe the heating effect. Past clinical studies have shown minimum side effects and proven the success of the new thermotherapy as a treatment modality in conjunction with chemo- or radiotherapy. Studies are in progress to improve the nanoparticles' heating power to enable treatment of small tumors and metastases, thermoablation as a monotherapy, and to achieve tumor-specific thermotherapy with the aid of tumor-finding molecules. This paper evaluates the novel technology that is magnetic nanoparticles-based thermotherapy and explores its commercialization potential. It explains the medical need driving the innovation, examines the technology in comparison with existing cancer therapies, identifies the strategic position the technology has in the present state of market for cancer therapies, and explores opportunities and Challenges in the introduction of the new therapy into the U.S. market.