Chapter 8: Recent developments in the design of nanomaterials for photothermal and magnetic hyperthermia induced controllable drug delivery

Recent developments in anti-cancer drugs are focused on minimising side effects and improving treatment efficacy. This can be achieved by using a carrier that releases the drug in response to a stimulus. In recent years, research has been directed towards the use of light or alternating magnetic fields as remote stimuli in what is called photothermal and magnetic hyperthermia induced controllable drug delivery, respectively. Much progress has also been made in the use of nanoparticles and polymeric macromolecules as drug carriers. By combining polymers with inorganic nanoparticles into a single entity, it becomes possible to harness the light or magnetic field responsive properties of nanoparticles with the drug storage and release properties of polymers for drug delivery. In this review, we explore recent developments of polymer-nanoparticle hybrids drug carriers for photothermal and magnetic hyperthermia controllable drug delivery.