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Global Translational Medicine SPION for cancer theranostics

Table 5. Nanomedicines approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration
Product name Nanoparticle type Company Approved use Date of approval
Doxil/Caelyx Lipid based (PEGylated liposomal Johnson & Johnson Kaposi’s sarcoma, ovarian cancer, 1995
doxorubicin) and multiple myeloma
Myocet Lipid-based (non-PEGylated Teva Pharmaceutical Metastatic breast cancer 2000
liposomal doxorubicin) Industries
Onivyde Lipid-based (liposomal irinotecan) Ipsen Pharmaceuticals Metastatic pancreatic cancer 2015
Vyxeos Lipid-based (liposomal Jazz Pharmaceuticals Acute myeloid leukemia 2017
daunorubicin and cytarabine)

Eligard Polymeric (Atrigel Tolmar Treatment of advanced prostate 2002
sustained-release delivery system) cancer
Abraxane Protein-bound (albumin-bound Celgene (a Bristol Myers Lung cancer, metastatic breast 2005
paclitaxel) Squibb company) cancer, metastatic pancreatic
cancer
GastroMARK/ SPIONs AMAG Pharmaceuticals Oral contrast agent for MRI of 1996 (Presently discontinued
Lumirem the gastrointestinal tract from the market)
Feridex I.V./ SPIONs AMAG Pharmaceuticals Intravenous contrast agent for 1996 (Presently discontinued
Endorem MRI of liver lesions from the market)
Resovist/Cliavist SPIONs Schering AG Contrast-enhanced MRI of the 2001
liver
Feraheme/ SPIONs AMAG Pharmaceuticals Primarily approved for the 2009
ferumoxytol treatment of iron deficiency
anemia in adult patients with
chronic kidney disease; now
explored as an MRI contrast
agent

Verigene System Gold NPs Nanosphere (now part of Diagnostic system for rapid 2007
Luminex Corporation) detection of infectious pathogens
and genetic variations
Datroway Antibody-drug conjugate AstraZeneca and Daiichi Treatment of advanced breast 2025
Sankyo cancer in patients who have
received prior treatment
81
38
9
80
37
Note: Information obtained from Mitchell et al., Pellico et al., Hundt et al., Fortuin et al., Nguyen et al., , Patra et al., , FDA .
41
40
Abbreviations: I.V.: Intravenously; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; NPs: Nanoparticles; PEG: Polyethylene glycol; SPIONs: Superparamagnetic iron
oxide nanoparticles.
5.3. Stability 5.5. MHT
SPIONs are prone to aggregation, which reduces their For MHT therapy, SPIONs must generate sufficient heat
effectiveness in circulation. To maintain their functionality, upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field. However,
proper surface modifications are needed to achieve achieving uniform heat distribution at the tumor site
colloidal stability. In addition, variations in physiological remains a significant challenge. To ensure efficient heating
pH can lead to the aggregation of SPION or loss of their and uniform heat distribution, high SPION dosages may
functionality, further complicating their use in clinical be required, which could raise concerns about toxicity.
settings.
5.6. Tumor penetration and targeting efficiencies
5.4. Imaging and monitoring NPs accumulate at tumor sites due to the enhanced
Although SPIONs are frequently used as MRI contrast permeability and retention effect, which can vary
agents, their imaging sensitivity is not as high as that of significantly among different cancer types and patients.
some other contrast agents, such as Gd-based agents. Tumor localization can be improved through active
Tracking SPIONs in real-time within the body remains targeting using ligands or antibodies; however, this
challenging, which complicates treatment monitoring and approach may lead to immunological reactions and off-
dosage optimization. target effects.

Volume 4 Issue 2 (2025) 45 doi: 10.36922/gtm.8464