Magnetic nanoparticles have been widely investigated for their great potential as mediators

of heat for localised hyperthermia therapy. Nanocarriers have also attracted increasing
attention due to the possibility of delivering drugs at specific locations, therefore limiting
systematic effects.

We have recently demonstrated that iron oxide nanoflowers provide 3 times higher heating
rates, than any commercially available nanoparticle alternative. This is attributed to the
flower-like shape for the iron oxide nanostructrures.

Iron oxide nanoparticles have already been recognized as biocompatible by FDA, and
currently they are the best candidate nanoscale materials for magnetic hyperthermia (MH).
MH therapy has been approved by FDA for MagForce AG for the focal ablation of
intermediate-risk prostate cancer using their NanoTherm® therapy system.

Our ion oxide nanoflowers (IONFs) show very promising results potential for production at
large-scale and at significantly reduced costs. That’s why it is very important to understand
the thermal effect of magnetic nanoparticles in cancer biology. 

The massive improvement of IONP heating rates was explained by the enhanced magnetic
coupling between the IONF building blocks. As this principle is universal for transition
metal oxides and can be enhanced when doping other metals. We will focus on physical
characterisation of doped IONFs and in vitro testing of doped IONFs.