Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications.
Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles followed two main directions in the field of biomedical applications: one direction is as image enhancing agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the other is as drugdelivery devices for various biologically-active substances. A third field which just emerges in nanomedicine is the field of the so-called theranostic devices which combines in the same delivery vehicle both the therapeutic agent and the contrast substance. The advantages of using nanoparticles instead of larger carriers for delivery of both drug and image contrast enhancing agents will be highlighted throughout this review article. Despite the ever increasing number of articles reporting both in vitro and in vivo studies carried out on functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and envisaging their potential biomedical applications, only few formulations reached the phase of clinical trials and even fewer became marketed products. The perspectives in the field are open, since new drugs require new delivery devices and possibly new means of functionalization. At the same time, the field of nanomedicine also provides the opportunity to better exploit drugs that are already in clinical use by improving their bioavailability through appropriate nanoformulations.
Dragoș
D
Gudovan
University "Politehnica" of Bucharest, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, "Costin Nenitescu" Department of Organic Chemistry G. Polizu Street 1-7, 011061, Bucharest, Romania. pbalaure@gmail.com.
Paul Cătălin
PC
Balaure
Dan Eduard
DE
Mihăiescu
Adrian
A
Fudulu
Bogdan
B
Purcăreanu
Mihai
M
Radu
D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods; D000068936:Theranostic Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods
D003287:Contrast Media; D004337:Drug Carriers; D058185:Magnetite Nanoparticles