Applications of Nanomaterials for Novel Thermotherapy

We witness that the nanoparticle-assisted heating of lesions transpires as a novel therapeutic technique. Magnetic and semiconducting oxides, metals, and nanohybrids assisted temperature response of tissue, cells and even genes provide new solutions to various physiological issues. Hyperthermia, thermal ablation, dielectric heating, and microwave heating to lesion guided by imaging emerges as effective therapeutic techniques. Thermotherapeutic applications of cancer surfaced stand-alone as a minimally invasive cancer therapy. Yet, the possibility of in-situ application of hyperthermia and chemo/radiotherapy unfolded the promise of minimizing the toxic effect requiring a minimal dosage of chemo/radiotherapeutic drug. The required temperature dose to the living tissues remains a great challenge for optimal therapy. Control of physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles, such as size, shape, morphology, composition, surface chemistry, ionic strength, capping agent, reaction temperature, and ambient atmosphere, affects the permeability and retention effect of functionalized nanoparticles inside the lesion, which require multidisciplinary solutions of the enigma.

While thermotherapy opens the door to new possibilities for lesion detection and therapeutic protocols, optimization remains a question. Functionalization, surface modifications, encapsulations, careful selection of the nanoparticle composition, and tailoring physical properties - offer a solution to exploit maximum benefit with minimum administration of nanoparticles. Better spatio-temporal biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, biocompatibility, and colloidal stability with appropriate physicochemical properties, are necessary to achieve under physiological conditions. Again, surface coating with proper receptor protein might facilitate better bio-response by a specific lesion that would reduce the required dose to administer. We see a lot of activities and dynamism encompassing these questions resolving existing issues, yet again requiring more studies to achieve further precision in nanoparticle-based thermotherapy.

We welcome Original Research, Review, Mini Review and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Physicochemical optimization of nanoparticles for thermotherapy and drug delivery
• Magnetic and semiconducting oxides, metals, and/or nanohybrids -assisted hyperthermia/thermal ablation/dielectric/microwave heating for thermotherapeutic purpose
• Functionalization of nanoparticles with organic and inorganic materials to achieve biocompatibility and colloidal stability
• Binding of the functionalized nanoparticles with receptor protein
• Cytotoxicity and/or biocompatibility studies of functionalized nanoparticles

Keywords: Nanomaterials, Hyperthermia, Ablation, Thermotherapy, Biocompatibility

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