Analysis of Thermotherapy with Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles in Cancer Tissues and Comparison with NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4

Treatment of cancer, the most common and deadly disease worldwide, requires more targeted and effective methods due to the fact that conventional methods such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy also damage healthy tissues. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) offer a promising approach for selective heating and destruction of tumor cells, especially in magnetic hyperthermia (thermotherapy) applications. In this study, researchers numerically investigated the thermotherapy effects of magnetic iron hydroxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs) on cancer tissues, comparing them with NiFe₂O₄ and CoFe₂O₄ NPs. The thermal behaviors, magnetic field parameters, and treatment efficacy of MNPs were evaluated. In the simulations, the time- and space-dependent temperature distributions of the NPs in the injection site were evaluated; temperature changes were recorded for a period of 70 seconds and for various radial distances and angular positions. In addition, the NP density formed 18 hours after injection was analyzed, and the capacity of the particles to spread in the tissue was observed. According to the findings, NiFe₂O₄ provided the highest temperature increase (~39–40°C) and the most homogeneous thermal distribution, while CoFe₂O₄ showed the medium level (~37–38°C) and Fe₃O₄ the lowest (~34–35°C) thermal efficiency. Diffusion analyses revealed that NiFe₂O₄ spread over a wider area in the tissue, whereas Fe₃O₄ remained more localized. These results show that NiFe₂O₄ is the most suitable candidate for thermotherapy in terms of both its thermal efficiency and diffusion potential.