Metal and Magnetic Nanostructures for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Metal and magnetic nanostructures exhibit unique chemical and physical properties that are promising for cancer diagnosis and treatment. This review highlights some recent progress in the design, characterization, and evaluation of metal and magnetic nanostructures for cancer detection and therapy. Both advantages and limitations are discussed with respect to their applications in drug delivery and in cancer treatment via processes such as thermal or photothermal ablation (PTA) as well as photodynamic therapy (PDT). Examples are also presented to illustrate their use in preventing and destructing metastasis as well as in overcoming resistance to chemotherapy. Finally, the toxicity of nanoparticle and the effect of size and shape are discussed.