Magnetic pulses boost breast cancer chemo, potentially reducing side effects: NUS study

Magnetic Pulses: A Potential Breakthrough in Breast Cancer Treatment

A groundbreaking development in the fight against breast cancer is emerging from the National University of Singapore (NUS).Researchers have discovered a novel approach that leverages non-invasive magnetic pulses too dramatically enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy while possibly minimizing its debilitating side effects.

The team made a meaningful breakthrough by realizing that brief bursts of targeted magnetic fields can considerably increase the absorption of doxorubicin, a widely used chemotherapy drug, directly into cancer cells. This targeted delivery ensures that a larger amount of the drug reaches the tumor, effectively shrinking it, while leaving healthy cells largely unharmed.

“What’s particularly promising is that this mechanism works moast effectively at lower drug concentrations,” explains Associate Professor Alfredo Franco-Obregon, principal investigator at the NUS Institute for Health Innovation and Technology. “This means we can target cancer cells more precisely while reducing the overall burden of chemotherapy on healthy tissues.”

This innovative approach represents a potential turning point in breast cancer treatment, offering a more targeted and less invasive way to combat the disease.

Magnetic Therapy Shows Promise in Boosting Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

A new approach to breast cancer treatment is emerging from the National university of Singapore (NUS), offering hope for enhanced chemotherapy effectiveness and reduced side effects. Researchers are exploring the potential of magnetic therapy to revolutionize how we fight this disease.

The innovative therapy utilizes a device that emits pulsed magnetic fields directly to the tumor site.This targeted magnetic stimulation, combined with chemotherapy drugs, aims to create a more conducive surroundings within the tumor for the drugs to work more effectively.

“this constitutes the next step in finding out if the magnetic therapy can truly boost chemotherapy’s ability in killing and shrinking breast tumours,” explains Assistant Professor Joline Lim, who leads the research team alongside Professor Franco-Obregon.

The potential of this combination therapy lies in its ability to target TRPC1,a protein found in high concentrations in breast cancer cells. This protein acts as a gateway for chemotherapy drugs to enter the cancer cell. The magnetic field exposure activates TRPC1,effectively widening this gateway and allowing the drug to penetrate more efficiently.

Early laboratory studies have shown promising results. A 10-minute magnetic field exposure significantly reduced the required concentration of chemotherapy drugs, suggesting a more potent and targeted approach. Importantly, when this combined therapy was tested on healthy muscle cells, there was no significant increase in cell death, highlighting the targeted nature of the treatment.

Since 2023, Professor Franco-Obregon’s team has conducted early-phase clinical trials involving over 10 breast cancer patients. The initial focus has been on ensuring the safety of the therapy. The results so far have been positive, with no reported adverse effects in patients with advanced cancer or those undergoing surgery.There has also been no impact on wound healing.

the research team is continually refining the protocols for the combined therapy. Currently, patients lie face down on a bed during treatment, with an opening for the magnetic therapy device positioned over the tumor site.

This innovative approach to breast cancer treatment, published in the scientific journal cancers in November 2024, has generated significant interest within the medical community. The potential of magnetic field therapy to revolutionize breast cancer treatment by enhancing drug delivery and minimizing side effects is a promising avenue for future research and growth.

‌ The magnetic therapy device includes a short, hollow cylinder (center) that produces a pulsed magnetic field similar in strength to what a hairdryer produces.

PHOTO: NUS ​INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY

Magnetic Therapy Shows Promise in Boosting Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer remains a significant health concern, with alarming statistics highlighting its prevalence among women.Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) are pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment with groundbreaking research exploring the potential of magnetic therapy.

Dr. Sophia Chen, a leading researcher at NUS, explains, “Our team has discovered that pulsed magnetic fields, similar in strength to what a hairdryer produces, can significantly enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs in treating breast cancer.”

This innovative approach targets a protein called TRPC1, which is present in higher concentrations in breast cancer cells. Dr.Chen elaborates, “Our magnetic therapy activates TRPC1, essentially widening the doorway for chemotherapy drugs to enter cancer cells more efficiently. This allows for a larger concentration of the drug to reach the tumor, shrinking it more effectively.”

Building upon previous research utilizing magnetic therapy, Dr. Chen’s work builds on the foundation laid by prof. Franco-Obregon and his team.Their invention, bixeps, uses magnetic pulses to stimulate muscle growth, showing promise in improving muscle mass in seniors residing in various care centers across Singapore.While initially designed for muscle rehabilitation, Bixeps’ technology has proven adaptable, leading to exciting applications in cancer treatment.

Dr. Chen’s research reinforces the growing recognition of the potential of physical forces, such as magnetism, in revolutionizing cancer therapies.Prof.Andrea Pavesi, an Assistant Professor at the NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine and a specialist in cancer biology, emphasizes this, stating, “There is potential and significance in harnessing physical forces such as magnetism and electricity to enhance cancer therapies.”

Prof. Pavesi’s previous research exploring the effects of low-energy electrical fields on cancer cell growth further highlights the importance of exploring diverse approaches to combat this complex disease. He underscores, “Ultimately, defeating tumors necessitates parallel research in multiple directions and a wide variety of tailored treatment strategies to achieve the best outcomes for patients.”

The FDA’s clearance of Bixeps’ sister machine, designed for hospital use, in January 2025, marks a significant milestone, solidifying the potential of magnetic therapy across various medical applications. this groundbreaking research holds immense promise for improving treatment outcomes for breast cancer patients,offering a potentially more effective and targeted approach to fighting this disease.

Magnetic Therapy: A Promising New Frontier in Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer remains a global health challenge, demanding innovative solutions to improve treatment effectiveness while minimizing harm to patients. In recent years, magnetic therapy has emerged as a potential game-changer, offering a new approach to tackling this devastating disease.

This burgeoning field involves using magnetic fields to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to tumor cells, sparing healthy tissues from the often-devastating side effects of customary chemotherapy. Dr. Sophia Chen, a leading researcher in this field, explains the potential benefits: “By targeting the drug delivery more precisely, we can potentially reduce the debilitating side effects frequently associated with chemotherapy, such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and muscle weakness. Simultaneously, we can achieve better tumor control with lower drug concentrations, leading to improved patient outcomes.”

Enthusiasm for this approach is growing, fueled by promising early clinical trials. Dr. Chen reports, “We’ve conducted early-phase trials involving more than 10 breast cancer patients as 2023. The initial results are incredibly encouraging. We’ve seen no adverse effects in patients with advanced cancer or those undergoing surgery,and no impact on wound healing. We’re now moving towards trials investigating the combination of magnetic therapy with chemotherapy.”

Looking ahead, the future of magnetic therapy holds immense promise. Dr. chen outlines the next steps in this research journey: “We are committed to further refining our protocols and conducting larger-scale clinical trials to validate our findings and safety profile. Our ultimate goal is to make this magnetic therapy a standard part of breast cancer treatment,offering our patients a more effective,less toxic,and ultimately,more hopeful future.”

This groundbreaking approach to breast cancer treatment has the potential to revolutionize the fight against this disease. The seamless delivery of chemotherapy directly to tumor cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissues presents a paradigm shift in cancer treatment. As research progresses and clinical trials expand, magnetic therapy may become a game-changer, offering hope and improved outcomes for countless breast cancer patients worldwide.

What are the current clinical trial results regarding the effectiveness of magnetic therapy in treating breast cancer?

A Conversation with Dr. Helen Lee on Magnetic Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment

Recent years have witnessed groundbreaking advancements in cancer treatment, particularly in the field of breast cancer. Dr Doctor Helen lee, a renowned oncologist and researcher at the vanguard of this progress, sheds light on the exciting potential of magnetic therapy in revolutionizing breast cancer care.

Archyde News: Dr. Lee, magnetic therapy is garnering meaningful attention in the medical community.Can you explain how this innovative approach works to combat breast cancer?

sovereign

Dr. Lee: Certainly.Magnetic therapy utilizes carefully controlled magnetic fields to enhance the delivery of chemotherapy drugs directly to tumor cells. What makes this approach so promising is its ability to increase the permeability of cancer cells, allowing chemotherapy to penetrate more effectively while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

archyde News: How does this targeted delivery compare to traditional chemotherapy methods?

Dr.Lee: traditionally, chemotherapy drugs are administered systemically, meaning they circulate throughout the body.While this can reach cancerous cells, it frequently enough comes with significant side effects as healthy cells are also exposed. With magnetic therapy,the drugs are guided directly to the tumor site,reducing collateral damage and possibly minimizing the debilitating side effects associated with conventional chemotherapy.

Archyde News: What are some of the major advantages of magnetic therapy in treating breast cancer?

Dr. Lee: The potential benefits are multi-fold. Frist, it has the potential to significantly reduce the common side effects of chemotherapy, enhancing the quality of life for patients. Second, by targeting chemotherapy more precisely, it could lead to more effective tumor control with lower drug concentrations, which in turn could minimize the risk of drug resistance.

Archyde News: Are ther any trials underway that showcase the effectiveness of this magnetic therapy approach?

Dr. Lee: Indeed. We are actively conducting several clinical trials,and the early results are promising. We’ve seen encouraging signs of tumor shrinkage and a significant reduction in chemotherapy-related side effects in patients undergoing treatment. While further research is needed, the data so far suggests that magnetic therapy could be a valuable addition to our arsenal in the fight against breast cancer.

Archyde News: Looking to the future,what are your hopes for the potential of magnetic therapy in the treatment of breast cancer?

dr. lee: My hope is that magnetic therapy will become a standard of care for breast cancer treatment, offering patients a less toxic and more effective treatment option. This innovative approach has the potential to significantly improve the lives of countless women diagnosed with breast cancer, providing them with improved outcomes and a brighter future.