Ricerc@Sapienza

Magnetic nanoparticles with superparamagnetic properties have attracted increased attention for
applications in biomedicine, as they exhibit a strong magnetization only when an external magnetic
field is applied. Magnetoliposomes (MLs) are the combination of liposomes with encapsulated
magnetic nanoparticles. The potential applications of these hybrid nanocarriers have been
increasingly recognized as providing significant biomedical application possibilities. However, it is
essential that nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetism, this causes nanoparticles to become
susceptible to strong magnetization. When the magnetic field is applied, they orient toward this
field, but do not retain permanent magnetization in the absence of magnetic field. The magnetic
properties of super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs)-based magnetoliposomes allow
for an alternative to conventional therapy through magnetically controlled drug delivery and
hyperthermia. In this way they can be viewed as trigger-responsive carriers as they have the
potential to act as "remote switches" that can turn on or off the effects of the therapeutics, based on
the presence or absence of the stimulus. Recently, a pilot study has demonstrated the feasibility of a
smart controlled delivery through a magnetic field with intensity significantly lower than the usual
ones reported in literature . In this way, a controlled release has been obtained through a magneto-
nanomechanical approach without a macroscopic temperature increase. Specifically, signals
generated by non thermal alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) or non-thermal pulsed
electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) were applied to high-transition temperature magnetoliposomes
(high-Tm MLs) entrapping hydrophilic magnetic nanoparticles that have been proven to be a
potential biomaterial to magnetic field-controlled drug delivery system.