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Iron-based nanomaterials (INMs), due to their particular magnetic property, excellent biocompatibility, and functionality, have been developed into powerful tools in both tumor diagnosis and therapy. We give an overview here on how INMs such as iron oxide nanoparticles, element-doped nanocomposites, and iron-based organic frameworks (MOFs) display versatility for tumor imaging and therapy improvement. In terms of imaging, INMs improve the sensitivity and accuracy of techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and support the development of multimodal imaging platforms. Regarding treatment, INMs play a key role in advanced strategies such as immunotherapy, magnetic hyperthermia, and synergistic combination therapy, which effectively overcome tumor-induced drug resistance and reduce systemic toxicity. The integration of INMs with artificial intelligence (AI) and radiomics further expands its capabilities for precise tumor identification, and treatment optimization, and amplifies treatment monitoring. INMs now link materials science with advanced computing and clinical innovations to enable next-generation cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Iron-based nanomaterials (IBNMs) have been widely applied in biomedicine applications including magnetic resonance imaging, targeted drug delivery, tumor therapy, and so forth, due to their unique magnetism, excellent biocompatibility, and diverse modalities. Further research on its enormous biomedical potential is still ongoing, and its new features are constantly being tapped and demonstrated. Among them, various types of IBNMs have demonstrated significant cancer therapy capabilities by regulating the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, a variety of IBNMs including iron oxide-based nanomaterials (IONMs), iron-based complex conjugates (ICCs), and iron-based single iron atom nanomaterials (ISANMs) will be introduced, and their advantages in regulating TME would also be emphasized. Besides, the recent progress of IBNMs for cancer diagnosis and treatment through the strategy of modulating TME will be summarized, including overcoming hypoxia, modulating acidity, decreasing redox species, and immunoregulation. Finally, the challenges and opportunities in this field are briefly discussed. This review is expected to contribute to the future design and development of next-generation TME-modulate IBNMs for cancer treatment., (© 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Ferroptosis has received increasing attention as a novel nonapoptotic programmed death. Recently, iron-based nanomaterials have been extensively exploited for efficient tumor ferroptosis therapy, as they directly release high concentrations of iron and increase intracellular reactive oxygen species levels. Breast cancer is one of the commonest malignant tumors in women; inhibiting breast cancer cell proliferation through activating the ferroptosis pathway could be a potential new target for patient treatment. Here, we briefly introduce the background of ferroptosis and systematically review the current cancer therapeutic strategies based on iron-based ferroptosis inducers. Finally, we summarize the advantages of these various ferroptosis inducers and shed light on future perspectives. This review aims to provide better guidance for the development of iron-based nanomaterial ferroptosis inducers.

Nanomaterials have applications in traditional Chinese medicine in the fields of medical equipment manufacturing, targeted transportation, and drug synergistic therapy.The research aims to discuss the performance and performance of zinc-iron-based nanomaterials in medical drug delivery and synergistic drug therapy.Using Prussian materials as precursors, magnetic zinc-iron nanomaterials were prepared by ZnCl2 and K3[Fe (CN)6]. Moreover, the morphology and composition of the material were analyzed.X-ray analysis was conducted on the prepared Zn3[Fe (CN)6]2·xH2O nanomaterials, and their purity met the design requirements. At the same time, drug loading analysis was conducted on Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2·xH2O, and the release of capsaicin reached 86.3% under a certain phosphate buffer solution. Meanwhile, Zn3[Fe (CN)6]2·xH2O loaded tetracycline could release up to 90% in phosphate buffer solution. Antibacterial tests were conducted on self-made Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2·xH2O samples and ZnFe2O4/ZnO. The Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2·xH2O samples showed a more significant inhibitory effect on cancer cells after loading with capsaicin.The zinc-iron-based nanomaterials prepared by the research have excellent performance in drug loading and safety, indicating their significant potential for development in the medical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to elucidate the effect of iron-based nanomaterials（NMs）on soybean growth and its related mechanisms, different concentrations（0, 1, 10 mg·L-1, and 50 mg·L-1）of γ-Fe2O3 NMs and Fe3O4 NMs were sprayed on the leaf of soybean cultured in hydroponic conditions. During the experiments, Fe-EDTA（10 mg · L-1）was used as control to compare the performance and related mechanisms of the soybean growth promotion by nanofertilizer and conventional fertilizers. Foliar-applied, iron-based NMs enhanced the shoot and root biomass, root length, root tips numbers, and root bulk of soybean. The biomass increased initially and decreased afterwards with the increase in iron-based NM concentration. All the treatments at 10 mg·L-1 exhibited the best performance for soybean growth in the order of γ-Fe2O3 NMs>Fe3O4 NMs>Fe-EDTA. Iron-based NMs exhibited higher bioavailability than Fe-EDTA due to the slow-release feature and high surface activity. The iron content in soybean roots, stems, and leaves after exposure to 10 mg·L-1 γ-Fe2O3 NMs was 1.29-, 1.09-, and 1.24 -fold of that of an equal quantity of iron in Fe-EDTA exposure. The net photosynthetic rate of soybean exposed to 10 mg· L-1 γ-Fe2O3 NMs, Fe3O4 NMs, and Fe-EDTA was increased by 62.7%, 41.5%, and 30.7%, respectively, compared with the control. The transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, and intracellular CO2 concentration of soybean leaf exposed to iron-based NMs were all higher than in the Fe-EDTA treatment. Iron-based NMs up-regulated the sucrose transporter related genes（GmSWEET 15, GmSUT 2）, increased the transport of photosynthate from leaf to root, and increased the root-shoot ratio, thereby enhancing the uptake of nutrients（S, P, Ca, Mn, and Cu）. In conclusion, foliar application of iron-nanofertilizer（γ-Fe2O3 NMs）promoted the growth and nutrient uptake of soybean over conventional iron fertilizer. The results of this study provide a foundation for the application of iron-based NMs in promoting the growth of crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]