Design of a Noninvasive Magnetic Hyperthermia System for Breast Tumors Using Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in the 40 – 55 age group. There are many methods to treat breast cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiation, but they have many side effects, such as hair loss and weakness. Magnetic hyperthermia is a modality that gives new hope for cancer treatment with minimum side effects. This technique relies on raising the temperature of the tumor to 41- 45°C by the alternating magnetic field generated from the magnetic coil. This study aims to design a suitable magnetic hyperthermia system comprised of breast models with tumors and coil to be used as a source of alternating magnetic field. First, the magnetic coil was designed and tested, and then six 3D breast models were created. These models differ in the number of layers and the position of the tumor. Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were added to each tumor. After that, the magnetic coil was tested on the models and temperature elevation and distribution were calculated. The tumor near the surface reached a temperature of 44.2 ºC and the deep tumor had a temperature of 42.5 ºC while the surrounding tissues remain at safe temperature ranges. The results showed the capability of the designed coil to raise the temperature of breast tumors to the therapeutic range.