Targeted Vibration-Induced Necrosis in Liver Cancer Cells using Paramagnetic Microrobots

Therapeutic delivery of anti-cancer drugs is a major goal of modern medicine. However, developing methods to target cancer cells for more effective treatment and reduced side effects is a significant ongoing challenge. Microrobots have recently been studied for their ability to navigate difficult-to-reach regions in the human body to deliver therapeutics for microscopically localized interventions. Using microrobots for targeted and local therapy therefore, is a promising revolutionary treatment method. In this study, magnetic microrobots were used to target and kill cancer cells via localized magnetic oscillations, resulting in magnetolysis of the cancer cells. The magnetic microrobots were selectively moved to Hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2 cells) using a custom magnetic system which applied rotating magnetic fields. After internalization of the microrobots by the cancer cells, magnetic oscillation of varying dosages was applied, resulting in cell death.