Functional magnetic particles for medical application.

Magnetic particles for medical applications have been developed by many researchers. Since magnetic particles have unique magnetic features not present in other materials, they can be applied to special medical techniques. Separation, immunoassay, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), drug delivery, and hyperthermia are enhanced by the use of magnetic particles. Magnetite cationic liposomes (MCLs), one of the groups of cationic magnetic particles, can be used as carriers to introduce DNA into cells since their positively charged surface associates with the negatively charged DNA. MCLs can also be used as heat mediators for cancer therapy. Magnetic particles conjugated with tumor-specific antibodies have enabled tumor-specific contrast enhancement in MRI. In addition, antibody-conjugated magnetic particles were shown to target renal cell carcinoma cells, and are applicable to the hyperthermic treatment of carcinomas. It was also found that the hyperthermic treatment using magnetic particles induced an antitumor immunity. Thus, the use of magnetic particles with their unique features will further improve medical techniques.