Optimization of iron oxide nanoparticles for MRI-guided magnetic hyperthermia tumor therapy: reassessing the role of shape in their magnetocaloric effect

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles have hogged the limelight in different fields of nanotechnology. Surprisingly, notwithstanding the prominent role played as agents in magnetic hyperthermia treatments, the effects of nanoparticle size and shape on the magnetic hyperthermia performance have not been entirely elucidated yet. Here, spherical or cubical magnetic nanoparticles synthesized by a thermal decomposition method with the same magnetic and hyperthermia properties are evaluated. Interestingly, spherical nanoparticles displayed significantly higher magnetic relaxivity than cubic nanoparticles; however, comparable differences were not observed in specific absorption rate (SAR), pointing out the need for additional research to better understand the connection between these two parameters. Additionally, the as-synthetized spherical nanoparticles showed negligible cytotoxicity and, therefore, were tested in vivo in tumor-bearing mice. Following intratumoral administration of these spherical nanoparticles and a single exposure to alternating magnetic fields (AMF) closely mimicking clinical conditions, a significant delay in tumor growth was observed. Although further in vivo experiments are warranted to optimize the magnetic hyperthermia conditions, our findings support the great potential of these nanoparticles as magnetic hyperthermia mediators for tumor therapy. Deciphering the most suitable shape to improve the magnetocaloric effect of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) for in vivo magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) of high-grade gliomas.