Toxicity Assessment of Nanoferrites

Abstract

In the last years, nanoferrites have gained much attention in the fields of bio- and nanomedicine due to their diverse potential applications in magnetic hyperthermia and targeted drug delivery for cancer treatment, as well as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, among others. These materials are relatively easy to synthesize at low cost and present good physical and chemical stability. Most importantly, their magnetic properties can be precisely tuned by varying the nature and content of the divalent co-ion (e.g. Co2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, etc.) or co-ions in mixed ferrites. In this context, evaluating their toxicity and biocompatibility is mandatory prior to their application in pharmaceutical products. In this chapter, we summarize the state-of-the-art of nanoferrites´ toxicity evaluation, both in vitro and in vivo.