A team of researchers from Brazil and Portugal has developed a new type of magnetic nanocomposite that can both destroy bone cancer cells and help regenerate the injured bone tissue. Their study, published in Magnetic Medicine, introduces a core – shell material composed of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with a thin layer of bioactive glass — combining magnetic heating properties with the ability to keep bound to bone.
“Magnetic bioactive nanocomposites are very promising for bone cancer therapy because they can simultaneously ablate tumors through magnetic hyperthermia and support new bone growth,” said Dr. Ângela Andrade, lead author of the study. “We found that it is possible to achieve both high magnetization of the nanocomposite and a strong bioactivity in the same material, which has been a long-standing challenge in this field.”
When exposed to simulated body fluid, the new nanocomposites rapidly formed apatite — a mineral similar to the inorganic component of bone — confirming their potential for bone integration.
“Among the tested formulations, the one with a higher calcium content demonstrated the fastest mineralization rate and the strongest magnetic response, making it an ideal candidate for biomedical applications,” shared Andrade.
The material’s magnetic properties enable local heating if exposed to an alternating magnetic field, which can selectively destroy cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. At the same time, the bioactive glass coating promotes tissue regeneration, offering a dual therapeutic approach to treating bone tumors.
“This study provides new insights into how surface chemistry and structure influence the performance of magnetic biomaterials,” Andrade added. “The findings open new perspectives on the development of increasingly advanced multifunctional materials that are both safe and effective for clinical use.”
Indeed, the research highlights a step forward in the design of smart nanomaterials for oncology and regenerative medicine. By integrating magnetic performance with bioactivity, these nanocomposites could pave the way for next-generation treatments that combine cancer therapy and bone repair in a single, minimally invasive procedure.
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Contact the author: Ângela Leão Andrade, Departamento de Química ICEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (UFOP), 35400-000 Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil, angelaleao@ufop.edu.br
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Journal
Magnetic Medicine
Method of Research
Experimental study
Subject of Research
Not applicable
Article Title
Magnetic core-shell nanocomposites with bioactive glass coatings for hyperthermia-assisted bone cancer therapy
COI Statement
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.