Turning up the heat on cancer: Manganese ferrite nanoparticles outperform rivals
Scientists have long known that heat can be used to help fight cancer. But heating tumors and cancer cells is trickier than it sounds. Apply too much heat and patients could get hurt; apply too little ...
Scientists have long known that heat can be used to help fight cancer. But heating tumors and cancer cells is trickier than it sounds. Apply too much heat and patients could get hurt; apply too little or target the wrong location and the therapy will not be effective.
Now, in a new study published in Scientific Reports, physicists at the University of Texas at El Paso and Alexandria University in Egypt describe how to better harness heat against cancer using magnetic nanoparticles made from manganese ferrite.
Magnetic hyperthermia is an experimental medical treatment that uses magnetic nanoparticles to deliver targeted treatment to tumors.
"Tiny magnetic particles are placed near or inside a tumor, then a magnetic field is switched on and off rapidly and safely around the patient," explained UTEP Associate Professor Ahmed El-Gendy, Ph.D.
"The particles heat up in response, like how a metal spoon warms in a microwave, raising the local temperature 5–7°C above normal body temperature. Cells at that temperature become damaged or die more easily, especially cancer cells."
Manganese ferrite stood out
El-Gendy and his team made four different nanoparticle formulations and evaluated their size, structure, magnetic properties, and heating ability. Among all materials tested, manganese ferrite nanoparticles consistently produced the strongest heating response.
The researchers found that manganese ferrite generated 57% more heating power than cobalt ferrite. According to the study, this superior performance results from the way manganese ferrite's magnetic properties allow it to respond more efficiently to an alternating magnetic field.
Early promise, clear limits
While the results are encouraging, the team emphasized that the work is still in the early stages.
"Our study was done in test tubes—particles were suspended in plain water—not in cells or animal models," El-Gendy said. "Body tissue is thicker and more gel-like, which changes how particles behave; we flag this as a real limitation."
The team is hopeful, nonetheless. They plan to conduct additional studies to evaluate the safety, tumor-targeting ability and effectiveness of the materials in living systems.
If future research confirms these findings, manganese ferrite nanoparticles could become an important building block in the development of more precise, minimally invasive cancer therapies that use heat to help destroy tumors while reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Publication details
Wegdan Ramadan et al, The impact of graphene oxide on the magnetic and hyperthermia properties of CoFe2O4 and MnFe2O4 ferrites, Scientific Reports (2026). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-51345-w
Who's behind this story?
BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →
Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →
Citation: Turning up the heat on cancer: Manganese ferrite nanoparticles outperform rivals (2026, July 8) retrieved 13 July 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-07-cancer-manganese-ferrite-nanoparticles-outperform.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.