Thermotherapy of cancer by synthesizing magnetite magnetic nanoparticles

Material engineers from Shiraz University in Iran succeeded in the synthesis of magnetite magnetic nanoparticles connected to cationic albumin which can be applied in thermotherapy. The simultaneous use of thermotherapy and chemotherapy significantly increases the rate of the treatment of cancerous tumor. In this method, magnetite magnetic nanoparticles were firstly produced through co-precipitation of Fe (II) and Fe (III) salts in the presence of ammonia. Then their surfaces were modified by cationic albumin. Finally, the produced nanoparticles were used in thermotherapy. When magnetite nanoparticles are imposed to alternating current magnetic field, nanoparticles turn into powerful thermal sources that are able to degrade tumor cells. The new nanoparticles are able to reach the temperature of 60°C in the presence of alternating current magnetic field with a frequency of 215 kHz. It shows the noticeable ability of the nanoparticles to produce heat to degrade cancerous cells. The nanoparticles can be used simultaneously in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, because the nanoparticles can be used as the contrast maker in cancer diagnosis by using MRI, as the carrier of chemotherapy drug in targeted drug delivery, and as the source to produce heat in thermotherapy of cancer. The research has been carried out by Elham Cheraqipour and Dr. Sirous Javadpour, associate professor in materials engineering from Shiraz University. Results of the research have been published in details in September 2013 in International Journal of Hyperthermia, vol. 29, issue 6, pp. 511-519.