Method of hyperthemia treatment

Abstract

Magnetic nanoparticle compositions are provided which provide an inherent temperature regulator for use in magnetic heating, particularly for use in magnetic hyperthermia medical treatments. The composition includes magnetic nanoparticles having a Curie temperature of between 40 and 46° C., preferably about 42° C., and may further include a polymeric material and optionally a drug or radiosensitizing agent. Methods of hyperthermia treatment of a patient in need thereof are provided which include administering to the patient a composition comprising magnetic nanoparticles having a Curie temperature of between 40 and 46° C.; and exposing the magnetic nanoparticles in the patient to an alternating magnetic field effective to generate hysteresis heat in the nanoparticles.

1 . A method of hyperthermia treatment of a patient in need thereof comprising:
 administering to the patient a composition comprising magnetic nanoparticles having a Curie temperature of between 40 and 46° C.; and   exposing the magnetic nanoparticles in the patient to an alternating current magnetic field effective to generate hysteresis heat in the nanoparticles.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered to a tumor or other diseased tissue in the patient. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claims 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are coated by a biocompatible polymeric matrix material. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are administered to a cancerous tissue site and the cancerous tissue site is further treated with one or more therapeutic drugs, one or more therapeutic radiation treatments, or a combination thereof. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles have a Curie temperature between 41 and 44° C. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles have a Curie temperature of 42° C. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise an alloy of copper and nickel. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the alloy comprises from 71 to 71.4 wt % nickel. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the alloy comprises 71 wt % nickel and 29 wt % copper. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles comprise a ferrite. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the ferrite is selected from the group consisting of Zn ferrite, Gd-substituted Zn ferrite, Mn—Zn ferrite, Gd-substituted Mn—Zn-ferrite, and Fe—Zn ferrite. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the ferrite is selected from the group consisting of Zn ferrite, Mn—Zn ferrite, and Fe—Zn ferrite. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the nanoparticles have a composition of the formula Mn 0.5 Zn 0.5 Gd x Fe (2-x) O 4 , where x is from 0 to 1.5, inclusive. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the nanoparticles have a composition of the formula Zn x Mn (1-x) Fe 2 O 4 , where x is between 0.6 and 0.8. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the nanoparticles have a composition of the formula Fe (1-x) Zn x Fe 2 O 4 , where x is between 0.7 and 0.9. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the nanoparticles have a composition of the formula ZnGd x Fe (2-x) O 4 , where x is between 0.01 and 0.8. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles have an effective mean diameter between 5 nm and 400 nm. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles and a drug are contained in a biodegradable polymeric material. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , where the magnetic nanoparticles are administered to the patient in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for injection.