Synergy effects of magnetic silica nanostructures for drug delivery applications

Abstract

This article presents a capable strategy of using hybrid nanostructures to improve the magnetic-based performance jointly with the internalization process into cells, for drug delivery applications. The promising combination stems from the concept of magnetic silica nanostructures, referring to magnetic nanoparticles of transition metal ferrites, coated with a silica (or hydroxyapatite) shell or included in a hollow silica nanostructure, such that they can offer a proper and controlled drug delivery. The synergy effects are brought on considering several characteristics; the magnetic properties of the transition metal ferrites as aggregates, the increased biocompatibility, the reduced toxicity, the porosity, the suitable chemical functionalization of silica and different effects such as local heating based on hyperthermia or other triggering effects for a time-space controlled drug delivery.