Magnetically Induced Hyperthermia and Drug Delivery with Liposomes

Student: Evan Jost
Department: Physics
Advisor: Sri Sridhar

Abstract

Current methods of cancer treatment involve a variation of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. One of the limitations with chemotherapy is that it not only kills cancerous cells but also damages healthy tissue. This is an issue since there is limited control to where the drugs go in a body. Target release lowers the dosage of the cancer drug in the body by increasing the concentration of the drug at specific areas.

Targeted release is possible by adding magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles inside the liposomes in addition to the cancer drug. This allows us to apply a magnetic field over cancerous tissue to collect a large group of liposomes. Liposomes open up after applying an AC magnetic field the iron oxide particles will cause the liposome’s temperature to increase releasing their internal contents.

Another way to potentially eliminate cancer using these liposomes with iron oxide nanoparticles inside is hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is the method of heating the cancerous tissue to an intolerable temperature. Using a similar technique as drug delivery, we can collect a large quantity of liposomes to cancerous tissue. With enough nanoparticles, applying an AC magnetic field we could potentially increase the temperature to irradiate the tumor.