Magnetic Nanoparticles Simultaneously Target Bone Cancer and Promote Tissue Regeneration

A dual-function nanomaterial can now destroy bone tumors using magnetic heat while simultaneously fostering bone regeneration through its bioactive surface chemistry.

Researchers from Brazil and Portugal developed a magnetic nanocomposite with iron oxide cores and bioactive glass coatings for bone cancer treatment and regeneration. The material generates localized heat via magnetic fields to destroy cancer cells while promoting bone mineralization, as demonstrated by apatite formation in simulated body fluid tests.

"Magnetic bioactive nanocomposites are very promising for bone cancer therapy because they can simultaneously ablate tumors through magnetic hyperthermia and support new bone growth," stated Dr. Ângela Andrade.

The calcium-enriched formulation showed optimal performance in combining magnetic heating efficiency and bioactivity. "Among the tested formulations, the one with a higher calcium content demonstrated the fastest mineralization rate and the strongest magnetic response," Andrade added.

The study, published in Magnetic Medicine (DOI: 10.1016/j.magmed.2025.100039), highlights the material’s dual mechanism: magnetic hyperthermia for tumor ablation and bioactive mineralization for tissue repair.

The team emphasizes that in vitro apatite formation in simulated body fluid does not yet confirm in vivo efficacy, and further research is required to validate clinical applications.