A Review on Magnetic Microspheres- A Novel Drug Delivery System

Magnetic microspheres as an alternative to conventional radiation methods which use extremely penetrating radiation that is absorbed throughout the body. Its use is limited by toxicity and side effects. The aim of the specific targeting is to enhance the efficiency of drug delivery and at the same time to decrease the toxicity and side effects. One of its important applications is that it is used for targeting tumors using anticancer drugs. Being more stable, it has an advantage over other delivery systems like liposome. The main objectives of this review are to highlight some important aspects of magnetic microspheres as a novel drug delivery system. The review shall cover definitions, concepts, types, mechanism of targeting, evaluation and characteristics of magnetic microspheres as well as various methods and techniques used in their preparations. The review also entails various applications and future prospects of magnetic microspheres.