Advances in iron oxide nanoparticles for targeted breast cancer therapy: a promising nanomedicine approach

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerged as a powerful candidate against breast cancer because of their unique properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, magnetic properties, and surface modifiability. This review provides the synthesis, morphology, and biomedical application of IONPs with a special emphasis on their anticancer effect. It further highlights the green approaches as a safer alternative to conventional methods to reduce the systemic toxicity and environmental impact. Moreover, the antimicrobial potential of IONPs is also discussed as an additional advantage for immune-compromised patients. This article further delves deeper into materials for environmental science and proposes a holistic perspective on IONPs design by integrating cross-disciplinary knowledge. The discussion extends to its clinically approved and withdrawn IONPs-based formulation. Finally, future directions are outlined, emphasizing the need for translational research, in vivo validation, and the development of more effective and safer IONP platforms for clinical application.