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News
NUS researchers have found that brief pulses of electromagnetic energy can reprogram immune cells hijacked by breast cancer tumors, turning them from cancer protectors into cancer killers. In preclinical models, the drug-free therapy wiped out tumors in 75% of cases after just four 30-minute sessions. A Phase 1 safety trial has already been completed, with efficacy trials on the horizon.
Scientists at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a drug-free breast cancer therapy that uses pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) to reprogram the immune system from within. Tumors are notorious for hijacking nearby immune cells — specifically tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) — converting them from cancer-fighters into cancer-protectors. The NUS team found that brief PEMF exposure activates a protein called TRPC1, which flips TAMs back into an aggressive, tumor-destroying state.
The results in preclinical models were striking: just four 30-minute PEMF sessions completely eradicated tumors in 75% of cases — no chemotherapy required. The same PEMF device has already cleared Phase 1 clinical trials for safety in humans, and the team is now seeking partners for Phase 2 efficacy trials. Researchers also plan to test whether combining PEMF therapy with chemotherapy could yield even better outcomes.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Current cancer treatments often come with severe side effects and face challenges like drug resistance. A non-invasive, targeted therapy that recruits the immune system — without drugs — could be a game-changer for breast cancer patients and potentially for other solid tumors too.
