Recent Progress in Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanop-articles.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have immeasurable potentials in many fields such as nanobiotechnology and biomedical engineering because of their superparamagnetic properties and small particle size. This review introduces the methods for SPIONs synthesis, including co-precipitation, thermal decomposition, microemulsion and hydrothermal reaction, and surface modification of SPIONs with organometallic and inorganic metals, surface modification for targeted drug delivery, and the use of SPIONs as a contrast agent. In addition, this article also provides an overview of recent progress in SPIONs for the treatment of glioma, lung cancer and breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]