Title:Magnetosomes as Potential Nanocarriers for Cancer Treatment
Volume: 21
Issue: 8
Author(s): Rawan Alsharedeh, Nid’a Alshraiedeh, Alaa A. Aljabali*Murtaza M. Tambuwala*
Affiliation:
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163
- P. O. BOX 566, Jordan
- Lincoln Medical School, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
Keywords:
Magnetotactic bacteria, biomineralization, magnetosomes, cancer, hyperthermia, DNA.
Abstract: Magnetotactic bacteria (MTBs) and their organelles, magnetosomes, are intriguing options
that might fulfill the criteria of using bacterial magnetosomes (BMs). The ferromagnetic crystals contained
in BMs can condition the magnetotaxis of MTBs, which is common in water storage facilities.
This review provides an overview of the feasibility of using MTBs and BMs as nanocarriers in cancer
treatment. More evidence suggests that MTBs and BMs can be used as natural nanocarriers for conventional
anticancer medicines, antibodies, vaccine DNA, and siRNA. In addition to improving the stability
of chemotherapeutics, their usage as transporters opens the possibilities for the targeted delivery of
single ligands or combinations of ligands to malignant tumors. Magnetosome magnetite crystals are
different from chemically made magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) because they are strong single-magnetic
domains that stay magnetized even at room temperature. They also have a narrow size range and a uniform
crystal morphology. These chemical and physical properties are essential for their usage in biotechnology
and nanomedicine. Bioremediation, cell separation, DNA or antigen regeneration, therapeutic
agents, enzyme immobilization, magnetic hyperthermia, and contrast enhancement of magnetic resonance
are just a few examples of the many uses for magnetite-producing MTB, magnetite magnetosomes,
and magnetosome magnetite crystals. From 2004 to 2022, data mining of the Scopus and Web
of Science databases showed that most research using magnetite from MTB was carried out for biological
reasons, such as in magnetic hyperthermia and drug delivery.