Scientists Use Magnets to Maneuver Pharmaceuticals

A drug’s ability to target a specific point in the body is a critical aspect of its pharmaceutical viability, as poorly targeted application can lead to increased toxicity and decreased effectiveness. Now, iron-containing nanoparticles bound to silk carriers capable of being maneuvered around the body using magnets could become an instrumental tool for more accurate drug administration and targeting, new research finds.

The study, conducted by an interdisciplinary collaboration at the Univ. of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering, set out to develop a treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), a potentially fatal condition in which the largest artery in the body — the aorta — weakens, bulges, and, if left untreated, ruptures. This condition leads to the death of nearly 10,000 people each year and can be difficult to treat, often requiring stent grafts or surgical intervention. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) — small, membrane-bound capsules that facilitate intercellular communication — play a significant role in the pathological course of AAA; however, EVs have also shown promise as biomarkers and drug-delivery vehicles, made effective by their low toxicity and relative stability.

The team’s goal was to create a minimally invasive method of EV application that could be better targeted to reach specific parts of the body and be engineered to carry a variety of pharmaceuticals. To do so, they would need a way to deposit the EVs onto a carrier and then guide the carrier to the desired location. The technology they developed was silk iron microparticles (SIMPs) — biodegradable, stable, and magnetically...