Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) One of the most well-established applications of SPIONs is in MRI as contrast agents. Their superparamagnetic properties enhance the contrast between different tissues, improving the quality of the imaging. SPIONs are particularly useful for imaging soft tissues like the brain and liver.
Drug Delivery SPIONs can be functionalized with various drugs and targeted to specific sites within the body using an external magnetic field. This targeted delivery minimizes the side effects of drugs and enhances their therapeutic efficacy. For example, SPIONs have been explored for delivering chemotherapeutic agents directly to tumor sites.
Hyperthermia TreatmentIn hyperthermia treatment, SPIONs are used to generate localized heat when subjected to an alternating magnetic field. This localized heating can kill cancer cells while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue. The efficiency of this treatment depends on the ability to control the temperature precisely.
