Magnetic nanoparticles exhibit specific physical properties that make them a useful tool for both medical diagnostics and therapy. The physical background for all these biomedical applications is the interaction of these particles with externally applied magnetic fields. This interaction is confined to the particles so that unwanted side effects can be avoided or reduced. In this chapter, the physics of magnetic drug targeting, magnetic thermoablation, and magnetic cell sorting are addressed, as well as a number of applications for cancer therapy. In addition, sophisticated measurement methods are discussed that enable the monitoring of these therapies.
This overview is by no means comprehensive but is focussed on the work that was done in the field of biomedical applications in the frame of the priority program 1104 “Colloidal magnetic fluids – Basics, development and applications of new ferrofluids” that was funded by the German research foundation from 2001 to 2007.