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Nanocarriers combining two or more different approaches in the same particle has been a new trend in research worldwide. Among the strategies studied, magnetic nanoparticles with dual properties related to drug delivery and diagnostic imaging represent a significant improvement in the response of chemotherapy and in a real-time monitoring of drug distribution. Nanocarriers combining dual properties such as thermal and magnetic, enable controlling the release and modulate a treatment giving more specificity of action. This is possible since a magnetic external field can allow the adequate movement of nanoparticles and provide a means to remotely heating the target tissue safely. The temperature increase can trigger changes in the structure of nanocarriers leading to the release of drugs. This field of study known as magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH), currently in order to improve the selective heating process has been used superparamagnetic nanostructured, mainly made up of iron oxide, coated or encapsulated in, mostly, polymeric nanoparticles. In this way, this review aims to provide an updated review of the state of art of nanostructured systems that combines simultaneously magnetic hyperthermia and thermal properties in the preclinical level investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays cancer is one of the most common causes of deaths worldwide. Conventional antitumor agents still present various problems related to specificity for tumor cells often leading to therapeutic failure. Nanoscale particles are considered potential alternative to direct access of drugs into tumor cells, therefore increasing the drug accumulation and performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antitumor activity of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) versus liposomes against a breast cancer animal experimental model. NLC-DOX and liposomes-DOX were successfully prepared and characterized. Tumor-bearing mice were divided into five groups (blank-NLC, blank-liposome, DOX, NLC-DOX, liposome-DOX). Each animal received by the tail vein four doses of antitumoral drugs (total dose, 16 mg/kg), every 3 days. Antitumor efficacy was assessed by measuring 1) tumor volume, calculating the inhibitory ratio (TV-IR, see after) and 2) acquiring scintigraphic images of the tumor using doxorubicin radiolabeled with technetium-99m as an imaging tumor probe. Liposome-DOX and free DOX did not showed differences in the tumor mean volume, whereas NLC-DOX proved to be the best treatments in controlling the tumor growth. NLC-DOX showed an inhibition ration (TV-IR) of 73.5% while free DOX and liposome-DOX decreased TV-RI of 48.8% and 68.0%, respectively. Tumor was clearly visualized in controls, DOX, and liposome-DOX groups. Yet, regarding the NLC-DOX group, tumor was barely identified by the image, indicating antitumor efficacy. Moreover, both NLC and liposomes proved to be able to delay the occurrence of lung metastasis. In conclusion, results of this study indicated that NLC-DOX might be an alternative strategy to achieve an efficient antitumor activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]