Investigating the hyperthermia cancer therapy mediated by magnetically-induced nanoparticles: a comprehensive review

Abstract Nowadays, the importance of finding an effective method in cancer treatment is quite clear, since the conventional therapies that include radiotherapy and chemotherapy are ineffective or have a high destructive effect. The magnetic nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia treatment is one of the latest introduced methods to treat cancer. This approach’s mechanism involves producing heat through superparamagnetic nanoparticles by applying an alternating magnetic field inside the tumor, thereby increasing the temperature to destroy cancer cells. Heterogeneous temperature distribution, insufficient thermal power, damage to healthy tissue, simplification of simulation equations, and a lack of proper understanding of the tumor’s environmental conditions are among the obstacles hindering the progress of this method in achieving effective treatment. In fact, the hyperthermia method requires a suitable thermal model that correctly examines the conditions of the heat source and its surroundings, i.e., the tumor and healthy tissue, so that the destruction of the tumor tissue is maximized and the healthy tissue experiences the least damage. This article aims to review the hyperthermia method using magnetic nanoparticles in cancer treatment. After introducing the basis of the hyperthermia method and magnetic nanoparticles, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical evidence of magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia are reviewed. Then, computational studies are reviewed, covering heat-generation mechanisms, bioheat transfer and thermal-damage models, and the main parameters influencing magnetic hyperthermia, including nanoparticle properties, magnetic-field characteristics, tumor features, and injection strategies. Finally, emerging approaches based on artificial intelligence and machine learning are discussed for rapid prediction, surrogate modeling, parameter optimization, and treatment planning, along with the potential development of digital-twin frameworks for patient-specific magnetic hyperthermia.