Magnetic Nanomedicine for Cancer: Mechanisms, Modalities, and Translation

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as a versatile platform in cancer nanomedicine, owing to their unique physicochemical properties, including high surface‐to‐volume ratios, superparamagnetism, and intrinsic biocompatibility. These features enable multifunctional applications spanning targeted drug delivery, contrast‐enhanced imaging, and magnetic hyperthermia, thereby integrating diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities within a single platform. Advances in surface engineering and bio‐functionalization have substantially improved tumor targeting, circulation stability, and payload delivery, while mitigating off‐target toxicity. Stimulus‐responsive and biomimetic MNP systems enable spatiotemporally controlled drug release and enhanced modulation of tumor‐immune interactions. Recent progress on hybrid and multimodal MNP architectures combining therapeutic modalities, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and thermal ablation, with real‐time imaging, is advancing theranostic precision. Mechanistically, these systems exploit externally applied magnetic fields to direct nanoparticle localisation, regulate therapeutic activation, and modulate tumor microenvironment. Key challenges still to be addressed include the need for improved understanding of nano‐bio interactions, long‐term biocompatibility, scalable and reproducible synthesis, and regulatory translation. This review synthesises the mechanistic foundations and emerging therapeutic strategies of MNP‐based cancer treatment, evaluates current limitations, and outlines future directions, including the integration of intelligent design frameworks, personalised nanomedicine, and clinically translatable manufacturing approaches. Future advances in magnetic nanomedicine hold much promise for next‐generation cancer therapy.