Magnetic microscale polymeric nanocomposites in drug delivery: advances and challenges
Kejing Shi, Ali Nokhodchi, Taravat Ghafourian
Abstract
• Magnetic polymeric composites (MPCs) show unique magnetic and mechanical properties. • MPCs allow precise targeting of drugs to specific tissues or cells using an external magnetic field. • MPCs offer localised and sustained drug release, reducing the frequency of dosing. • MPCs can be engineered to respond to magnetic stimuli, allowing for on-demand drug release. • MPCs are used for magnetic hyperthermia to induce tumour cell death. Magnetic polymeric nanocomposites are a modern class of materials in which magnetic nanoparticles are embedded in a polymeric matrix. This combination of magnetic responsiveness and tuneable properties bestows versatility on this class of polymer nanocomposite material, which has potentially broad applications in drug delivery, imaging, environmental remediation and beyond. This review covers the uses of magnetic polymeric nanocomposites in drug delivery, discussing magnetic micelles, magnetic liposomes, magnetic hydrogels, magnetic sponges, magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles, magnetic microrobots, magnetic elastomers and magnetic scaffolds. The focus is on the role that might be played by magnetic nanocomposites as an interface between the magnetic and polymeric domains in the establishment of a new generation of advanced materials.