SOncomagnetics: A Potential New Noninvasive Magnetic Stimulation Technology to Treat Glioblastoma

INTRODUCTION: A new noninvasive oscillating magnetic field (OMF)-generating device called Oncomagnetic (OM) device, developed in our laboratory, disrupts mitochondrial electron transport to elevate intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in patient derived glioblastoma (GBM) cells. METHODS: GBM cell death, ROS elevation and caspase 3 activation were studied by bright-field and fluorescence microscopy involving specific fluorescent probes. Device treatment of FOXN1-Nude mice with GBM xenografts was for 4 hours twice a day. Treatment of a 53-year-old male patient with recurrent GBM was done under a compassionate use protocol for 2–6 hours each weekday. Contrast-enhanced MRI scans assessed tumor size. RESULTS: OMF caused selective death of GBM cells, but not normal human cortical neurons and astrocytes. It altered mitochondrial oxygen consumption, increased mitochondrial and cellular ROS, and activated caspase 3. The overall survival of xenografted mice was prolonged by 6 days with treatment. A 26-day device treatment was well tolerated by the patient and decreased contrast-enhanced tumor volume by >30%. Patient’s autopsy after his death from closed head injury showed treatment effect, no tumor mass, and some evidence of active tumor. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive stimulation with the OM device is a potential powerful new treatment for GBM involving a novel mechanism of action. © Congress of Neurological Surgeons 2022. All rights reserved.