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Table 1 Requirements for in vivo and extracorporeal applications using magnetic nanosensors

From: Biochemical functionality of magnetic particles as nanosensors: how far away are we to implement them into clinical practice?

Application

Requirements

References

Drug delivery

Stability of drug-nanoparticle composite to guarantee no premature release

Composite optimally entirely biodegradable

High magnetization for precise and efficient magnetic transport

[8, 82]

Contrast agents

High magnetization desired to achieve good contrast

Ability to strongly shorten relaxation times in tissue

[83, 84]

Hyperthermia

Specificity needed towards target tissue and ability to penetrate cells

Magnetic anisotropy (shape, crystallinity, surface properties) and size/size-distribution influence heating efficiency

15–20 nm core size optimal with low dispersity to achieve high heating efficiency

[61, 85,86,87]

Blood purification

Good dispersions for optimal binding speed to target

High magnetization or larger particles (for SPIONs) for a later efficient separation

Stable coating, non-interactive with other blood species

High specificity needed for removal of non-abundant moieties (e.g. CTC)

[88,89,90]