Numerical Investigation of Bone Tumor Hyperthermia Treatment Using Magnetic Scaffolds

Abstract

This works claims to define, via numerical simulations, magnetic field parameters to perform an effective in situ bone tumor hyperthermia treatment using magnetic scaffolds. A Cole-Cole model to describe the frequency response of the magnetic susceptibility of nanoparticles embedded in novel magnetic biomaterials is explored. The heating phenomenon is investigated, considering both the ischemic and inflamed state of the fracture gap at the bone/implants interface. Both Osteosarcoma and Fibrosarcoma tumors are analyzed. Magnetic hydroxyapatite and poly-ϵ-caprolactone scaffolds are investigated. From the thermal analysis, it is found that the fracture behaves as a resistance to heat conduction, and therefore, strength and frequency of external magnetic field has to be tuned to perform the treatment taking the fracture status into account. Moreover, numerical experiments indicate that low perfused Fibrosarcoma can be treated using moderate-strength field, whereas more intense external fields are required to treat strongly vascularized Osteosarcoma without damaging healthy bone tissue. Magnetic hydroxyapatite stands out to be the best performing and versatile material to treat both tumors. These simulations can be regarded as a starting point to analyze possible clinical use of magnetic scaffolds for in situ bone hyperthermia.