A mini-review on the multimodal applications of engineered magnetic nanoparticles in diagnosis and therapy

The magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as multifunctional tools in recent medicine by virtue of their tunable size, larger surface area, and characteristic magnetic properties. Engineered MNPs have been well investigated in the recent two decades for diagnostic imaging, targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia, and multifunctional therapeutic applications. Their efficacy is profoundly dependent on controlled synthesis, surface functionalization, and biocompatibility, significantly influencing stability, biodistribution, and clinical efficacy. Recent work demonstrates their potential for imaging sensitivity enhancement, precise drug targeting, and therapeutic efficacy improvement through multifunctional integration of diagnostic and therapeutic functions. Despite aggregation, toxicity, and scalability challenges, continuous innovation in synthesis methodology and surface engineering is enhancing their translational potential. This review provides current developments in the design and biomedical applications of engineered MNPs, which emphasize their value in promoting personalized medicine and theranostics. Ultimately, MNPs are a revolutionary platform that integrates diagnosis and therapy, opening up new avenues toward effective and minimally invasive patient care. • Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) enhance imaging techniques like MRI by providing superior contrast, enabling early and accurate detection of diseases such as cancer and neurological disorders. • MNPs are used for targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia-based cancer treatment, and gene therapy, ensuring localized and efficient therapies with minimal side effects. • MNPs combine diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities in a single platform, allowing real-time monitoring of treatment efficacy and adaptive adjustments. • Surface functionalization and biocompatibility enhancements enable MNPs to achieve targeted delivery, cross biological barriers, and interact specifically with diseased tissues for personalized medicine.