Investigation on the Magnetic Hyperthermia Performance of Commercial Iron Oxide Magnetic Nanoparticles

Magnetic hyperthermia therapy is an evolving treatment for tumors where magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are directed to the tumor and exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF). This induces localized heating, causing the apoptosis of cancer cells. Monitoring heat delivery in a noninvasive, real-time manner is crucial for predicting clinical outcomes. This precise control over the hyperthermia process allows for targeted temperature adjustments in the range of 42 °C–46 °C, effectively targeting cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Factors, such as MNP size, medium viscosity, and AMF frequency and amplitude, influence the hyperthermia performance. Optimizing these factors enhances heat dissipation through mechanisms, such as hysteresis loss and Néel and Brownian relaxations, improving the intrinsic loss power (ILP) of the MNPs. In this study, we meticulously measure the temperature–time curves (T–t curves) and ILP values of several commercially available iron oxide MNP products. By systematically varying the concentration and magnetic core size of the MNPs and tuning the frequency and amplitude of the AMF, we aim to elucidate how these factors collectively influence heat dissipation. This, in turn, enhances our understanding of the optimal conditions for in vivo hyperthermia treatment. Our results indicate that among the MNP products tested, the 30 nm single-core MNPs exhibited the highest ILP. Additionally, for different MNP concentrations, the 50 nm multi-core MNPs show the highest ILP at a concentration of 2 mg/mL.