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Pharmaceutics
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Magnetic Materials for Biomedical Applications
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Magnetic Materials for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2026 | Viewed by 1830

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Carlos O. Amorim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physics Department & i3N, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: nanomedicine; magnetic materials; nanomagnetism; magnetic hyperthermia; multifunctional materials; energy storage; photovoltaic materials; solar cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The intersection of magnetism and medicine has given rise to a rapidly advancing field with a transformative potential in diagnostics, therapeutics, and targeted drug delivery. The use of magnetic materials, particularly at the micro- and nanoscale, has allowed for new advances to be made in biomedicine, enabling minimally invasive interventions, real-time imaging, and highly specific therapeutic strategies.

This Special Issue, entitled “Magnetic Materials for Biomedical Applications”, aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest research and developments in this dynamic field. It brings together contributions that span fundamental materials science, novel synthesis and functionalization methods, and translational applications in biomedicine.

Magnetic nanoparticles, for instance, have emerged as powerful tools for targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia therapy, and MRI contrast enhancement. Advances in surface engineering and functionalization have improved their biocompatibility, circulation time, and specificity, allowing for greater control over pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. At the same time, soft magnetic scaffolds and hybrid magnetic composites are enabling innovative approaches in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

This Special Issue invites the submission of original research articles, reviews, and short communications focusing on, but not limited to, the following themes:

  • Synthesis and characterization of magnetic materials for biomedical use;
  • Magnetic nanoparticles in drug delivery, hyperthermia, and imaging;
  • Biocompatibility, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution of magnetic systems;
  • Functionalization strategies for targeted or responsive magnetic materials;
  • Magnetic scaffolds and implants for tissue engineering;
  • Magnetically assisted biosensing and diagnostics;
  • Integration of magnetic materials with other therapeutic or diagnostic modalities.

As this field continues to evolve, we believe that fostering dialogue between materials scientists, biomedical engineers, chemists, and clinicians is critical to translating magnetic technologies into real-world healthcare solutions. This Special Issue aims to serve as both a snapshot of the current state of the art and a springboard for future innovations.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and hope that this collection will inspire further advancements at the interface of magnetism and medicine.

Dr. Carlos O. Amorim
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • magnetic materials
  • magnetic nanoparticles
  • nanomedicine
  • nanotechnology
  • theranostics
  • drug delivery systems
  • magnetic gels
  • magnetic hyperthermia
  • magnetic imaging

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 4873 KB  
Article
Repurposing Conventional Magnetic Functional Agents: A Novel Strategy for Long-Acting, Safe, Magnetically Mediated Precision Oncology
by Zihan Lv, Yue Wang, Yimin Su, Albert Yu, Rouye He, Zhongjian Xie and Yao Zhu
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(3), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18030319 - 2 Mar 2026
Viewed by 630
Abstract
Background: Although conventional magnetic functional agents provide a material basis for magnetically mediated tumor therapy, they have long been restricted by the application framework of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic thermal ablation. Methods: This study proposed a repurposing strategy of [...] Read more.
Background: Although conventional magnetic functional agents provide a material basis for magnetically mediated tumor therapy, they have long been restricted by the application framework of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic thermal ablation. Methods: This study proposed a repurposing strategy of two mature magnetic functional agents, Fe3O4 nanoparticles and gadopentetic acid (GA), by applying their unique magnetic response properties to enhance magnetic field therapy for glioma. Results: Both magnetic materials, when combined with an external magnetic field (MF), showed a synergistic effect to amplify the therapeutic effect. In the CT-2A glioma-bearing mice model, it resulted in marked suppression of tumor growth, with the growth inhibition (TGI) rate increasing from ~27% after MF therapy alone to 64% and 55% after the Fe3O4- and GA-potentiated MF therapy, respectively. It was proposed that the MF effect on impairing tumor angiogenesis was enhanced, as evidenced by significant reductions in CD31 expression and microvessel density. It disrupted nutrient supply to the tumor, augmenting the tumor suppression efficiency. The reduced infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells into tumors further confirmed the effective blockade of tumor perfusion. Conclusions: This study established a new paradigm of conventional magnetic materials to enhance the non-thermal physical effects and biological regulatory effects of magnetic field for glioma therapy, instead of only as the imaging agents or magnetic hyperthermia agents. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnetic Materials for Biomedical Applications)
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Review

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49 pages, 5210 KB  
Review
From Magnetic Moment to Magnetic Particle Imaging: A Comprehensive Review on MPI Technology, Tracer Design and Biological Applications
by Alessandro Negri and Andre Bongers
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(4), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18040497 - 17 Apr 2026
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Magnetic nanoparticles have emerged as powerful tools for biomedical imaging, targeted drug delivery, and hyperthermia therapy. Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is among the most promising technologies built around its properties: a radiation-free, quantitative tomographic modality that detects superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Magnetic nanoparticles have emerged as powerful tools for biomedical imaging, targeted drug delivery, and hyperthermia therapy. Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is among the most promising technologies built around its properties: a radiation-free, quantitative tomographic modality that detects superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) directly against a biologically silent background. This review synthesizes MPI’s physical principles, nanoparticle design strategies, and preclinical applications within the broader landscape of magnetic material engineering for biomedical use. Methods: A systematic review was conducted covering MPI signal generation and image reconstruction, nanoparticle core synthesis and surface coating approaches, and preclinical applications, spanning cell tracking, oncological imaging, vascular perfusion, neuroimaging, and MPI-guided theranostics. Studies were selected to provide quantitative benchmarks and direct comparisons with competing modalities where available. Results: MPI delivers signal-to-background ratios above 1000:1, iron-mass linearity at R2 ≥ 0.99, regardless of tissue depth, and acquisition rates up to 46 volumes per second. Tracer architecture—encompassing single-core particles, multicore nanoflowers, and stimuli-responsive cluster designs—is the primary determinant of sensitivity, environmental robustness, and theranostic capability. Preclinical results include detection of cell populations in the low thousands, earlier ischaemia identification than diffusion-weighted MRI, real-time drug release quantification, and spatially confined tumour hyperthermia. Three translational bottlenecks are identified: the absence of a clinically approved tracer with optimal relaxation dynamics, hardware performance losses when scaling to human-bore systems, and overestimation of passive tumour accumulation in murine models. Conclusions: MPI illustrates how progress in magnetic material design directly expands clinical imaging and theranostic possibilities. Successful translation will require indication-driven, interdisciplinary development that integrates materials science, scanner engineering, and regulatory strategy in parallel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnetic Materials for Biomedical Applications)
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