Researchers Develop Innovative Magnetic Hyperthermia-Based Cancer Therapy with Reduced Chemotherapy Dosage

The researchers also hypothesize that the treatment activates an immune response through cytokine secretion, further boosting its anti-tumor effects.

In a groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment, researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, have developed a novel combination therapy that enhances the effectiveness of magnetic hyperthermia-based cancer treatments. By using ultra-small magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in conjunction with a heat shock protein 90 inhibitor (HSP90i) at suboptimal doses, the new approach significantly improves treatment outcomes while reducing the required chemotherapy dosage, thereby minimizing side effects.

As global cancer rates continue to rise, the need for innovative and less invasive treatment options has become increasingly urgent. Traditional methods like chemotherapy and surgery often come with severe limitations, including drug resistance and debilitating side effects. To address these challenges, the INST research team, led by Dr. Deepika Sharma, has focused on developing nanotherapy—a treatment that offers fewer side effects and improved efficacy.

The team's research, published in the journal ACS Nano, demonstrated that a combination strategy using 17-DMAG, an HSP90 inhibitor, along with magnetic hyperthermia-based cancer therapy (MHCT), can significantly enhance the effectiveness of heat-based cancer treatments. The study, conducted on animal models, showed that this approach leads to substantial glioma cell death, with tumor inhibition rates reaching 65% at primary tumor sites and 53% at secondary sites within just eight days.

This method involves administering the combination therapy through intra-tumoral injections, where MNPs are exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF) to generate heat, effectively combating tumors. The innovative MHCT approach not only reduces the required chemotherapy dosage but also treats distant tumors without the need for additional doses at secondary sites, making it a highly effective and less invasive cancer treatment.

One of the key advantages of this therapy is its potential to stimulate the immune system, enhancing the body’s natural defenses against cancer. By inhibiting the HSP90 gene, which is upregulated in response to heat stress, the treatment reduces the tumor cells' ability to repair heat-induced damage, leading to enhanced cell death. The researchers also hypothesize that the treatment activates an immune response through cytokine secretion, further boosting its anti-tumor effects.

While extensive global research is still needed to bring this therapy into clinical practice, the study represents a significant step forward in developing adjuvant or alternative cancer treatments. The new approach offers a promising path toward more efficient and tolerable anti-cancer therapies, potentially benefiting millions of patients and opening new directions for hyperthermia-based treatments.