Nanomaterials for electromagnetic-based diagnostics and therapeutics

Recently, the use of electromagnetic (EM) fields in biomedical applications is gaining interest due to its potential for improving cancer and inflammatory diseases treatments, as well as diagnostics or monitoring. EM fields such as radiofrequency (RF) and microwave (MW) signals have been studied to remotely induce apoptosis or necrosis of cells, i.e., through hyperthermia. In this field, the advancement in nanotechnology innovation has a key role in enhancing EM-based techniques both for treatments and detection. Thanks to their versatility in terms of size, shape, and composition, nanosystems can be designed and developed to respond to EM fields. Moreover, nanoparticles could be engineered to target the lesions and to improve and localize, the EM fields effects on tissue, thus achieving an effective hyperthermia treatment, or an on-demand drug delivery using nanovectors carrying therapeutic compounds, such as magnetoliposomes. However, to date, there is a lack of an electromagnetic engineering perspective to rationalize and drive the design and application of nanomaterials as electromagnetic-responsive drug delivery platforms or as hyperthermia agents for cancer treatment. In this work, the most recent findings about the main EM-responsive nanomaterials will be provided, while the design, modelling, and application strategies will be analyzed and discussed. Finally, future perspectives will be provided for bridging the gap between nanomaterials science and electromagnetic engineering.