Conclusions: Magnetic and optical hyperthermia using nanomaterials-limitations, challenges and future perspectives

Abstract

Recent developments in the field of nanomedicine have given rise to a plethora of biomedical applications of nanomaterials. Their size, similar to the one of many biomolecules, their unique properties at the nanoscale, their ability of crossing biological barriers and the possibility of tailoring their surface functionalization enabled the development of nanomaterial-based biosensors, as well as of diagnostic and therapeutic tools (often combined in a single, multifunctional nanomaterial, concept known as theragnosis).