MAGNETIC MICROSPHERES AS A TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM : A REVIEW

The in-vivo targeting of tumors with magnetic microspheres is currently realized through the applicationof external non-uniform magnetic fields generated by rare-earth permanent magnets or electromagnets.This technique can be applied to magnetically targeted cancer therapy, magnetic embolization therapywith magnetic particles that contain anticancer agent, such as chemotherapeutic drugs or therapeuticradioisotopes. Drug targeting is one way of local or regional antitumor treatment. Magneticallycontrolled drug targeting is one of the various possible ways of drug targeting. This technology is basedon binding establish anticancer drug with ferrofluids that concentrate the drug in the area of interest(tumor site) by means of magnetic fields. There has been keen interest in the development of amagnetically target drug delivery system. These drug delivery systems aims to deliver the drug at a ratedirected by the needs of the body during the period of treatment, and target the activity entity to the siteof action. This paper gives an overview of current application of magnetic microspheres (ferrofluid) inconjunction with magnetic fields as they relate to the latest advances in medical application and inparticular to anticancer therapy and also discuss about mechanism of magnetic targeted delivery, drugrelease rate in-vitro, benefits and drawbacks of magnetic targeting.