Feasibility of induction heating using a sintered MgFe2O4 needle for minimally invasive breast cancer therapy

This study investigated a novel approach for tumor ablation therapy using an alternating magnetic field combined with a sintered MgFe2O4 needle. This method differs from radiofrequency ablation (RFA) by dielectric heating with regard to the heating mechanism and improves some weak points of these conventional thermotherapies.

Nude mice mimicking human breast cancer BT474 were treated using this method. The extent of tumor death was assessed after ablation.

Staining with hematoxylin and eosin showed gradual expansion of the pyknotic area until 48 h after ablation. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diaphorase staining also showed complete tumor death by 48 h after treatment. The ablation area was well controlled and reablation was not necessary. The tumor could be completely controlled using this method without any risk of skin burn.

This novel ablation therapy appeared to be more effective and less invasive for treatment of breast cancer treatment than RFA.