Magnetic Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy: Targeted Drug Delivery, Magnetic Hyperthermia, and Photo-Based Modalities

Abstract Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for more selective and effective treatment strategies. Conventional approaches such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are limited by poor tumor specificity, systemic toxicity, and the emergence of therapeutic resistance. In this context, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as promising multifunctional platforms in nanomedicine, capable of integrating diagnostic and therapeutic functions within a single system. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the use of MNPs for cancer therapy, focusing on their applications in targeted drug delivery, magnetic hyperthermia, and photo-based modalities, including photothermal and photodynamic therapy. MNPs offer several advantages, including magnetic field–guided localization, controlled and stimulus-responsive drug release, and enhanced imaging contrast through magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Their functional versatility enables the development of theranostic systems that allow simultaneous imaging and treatment monitoring. Particular emphasis is placed on hybrid designs that incorporate polymeric, metallic, and biocompatible coatings, which enhance stability, circulation time, and tumor-targeting efficiency. Although preclinical studies demonstrate remarkable efficacy, challenges such as long-term biosafety, reproducibility of large-scale synthesis, and regulatory approval remain key barriers to clinical translation. Overall, magnetic nanoparticles represent a transformative approach in oncology, offering the potential to achieve precision, minimally invasive, and patient-specific cancer therapies.