Development and In Vitro Validation of a Mobile 13.56 MHz Radiofrequency Hyperthermia Platform in Cancer Cell Models
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL, cilt.16, sa.16, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 16 Sayı: 16
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.3390/app16168048
- Dergi Adı: APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Applied Science & Technology Source, Compendex, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals
- İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet
Özet
Hyperthermia is an adjunct therapeutic approach that induces stress responses in biological tissues via controlled heat and can enhance cancer therapy. However, many RF-based systems are fixed and limited in experimental flexibility. Therefore, the development of portable RF hyperthermia platforms is essential for in vitro optimization and preclinical investigations. This study developed a mobile 13.56 MHz RF hyperthermia system and evaluated its thermal performance and preliminary in vitro biological effects. A mobile prototype including an RF generator, matching unit, electrode chamber, sample holder, and touchscreen interface was built. Human cancer cell lines (A549 and MDA-MB-231) and non-cancerous HUVEC cells were exposed to RF power levels of 40 W and 50 W for 10 min to assess the biological effects of thermal exposure. Apoptotic responses were analyzed by Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry. The system generated temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 degrees C depending on the applied RF power and experimental conditions. RF exposure increased apoptotic populations in a cell-dependent manner. MDA-MB-231 cells showed significantly increased apoptotic populations compared with their corresponding untreated controls, whereas A549 cells exhibited a temperature-dependent shift toward increased necrosis at higher power levels. HUVEC responses indicated limited selectivity under the tested conditions. Overall, the developed platform demonstrated both technical feasibility and biological activity, providing a practical tool for controlled in vitro RF hyperthermia studies. The findings support further mechanistic investigations and future preclinical studies aimed at optimizing RF-assisted therapeutic strategies.