The biocompatibility and toxicity of magnetic particles

• Published in: Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Vol. 32; pp. 163 - 223
• Main Authors: Häfeli, Urs O., Aue, Jennifer, Damani, Jaime
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: The Netherlands Elsevier Science & Technology 2007
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Biochemistry
• ISBN: 9780444527547; 0444527540
• ISSN: 0075-7535; 2589-2789
• DOI: 10.1016/S0075-7535(06)32007-4

This chapter looks into the characteristics of nano- and micro-particles that may affect their toxicity profile. It also provides insight on the different available in vitro toxicity tests and assesses the suitability of each, and give examples of their evaluation both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies are superseding most in vivo studies, due to their ease of use, accessibility, cost effectiveness, and lack of ethical restrictions. The chapter also deals with the immunogenicity of biological targeting reagents and discusses issues around allergic reactions or complement activation. As toxicity determinations are a crucial part of any drug approval process, an overview of the legal aspects of the process according to the regulatory bodies in the United States, Europe, and Japan have been provided. Although in vitro tests are only one, and generally the first one, of the required stages in biocompatibility testing, they are valuable in providing an initial toxicity profile, before the materials become further developed or require more costly testing procedures. In vitro tests can help to determine mechanisms of cell toxicity and general suitability of the particles.