Intracellular Hyperthermia Research Articles

Abstract 3101: Hyperthermia at the single-cell level for disseminated cancer disease with immuno-magnetic nanoparticles

Abstract Hyperthermia using magnetic nanoparticles and alternating magnetic field is promising for cancer therapy. In most cases, the usefulness of this magnetic nanoparticle-based hyperthermia has been shown by applying magnetic nanoparticles to tumor tissue such as a subcutaneous tumor with direct injection technique; however, if the magnetic nanoparticles can be cancer cell-specifically delivered at the cellular level, the magnetic field hyperthermia would have the potential to treat various sorts of disseminated cancer diseases. The aim of this study is to prove this concept. Maghemite nanoparticles (MNPs) were conjugated with the anti-HER2 antibody (Tmab) for cancer targeting, and the Tmab-MNPs were applied to the co-culture flask containing both HER2-expressing breast cancer AU565 cells and normal fibroblast FEF3 cells. Thirty minutes later from the Tmab-MNPs administration, the medium was removed and the cells were washed to remove excess Tmab-MNPs. Prussian blue iron staining and immunostaining for Tmab showed co-localization of the maghemite nanoparticles and Tmab only on the cancer cells, which suggested that MNPs conjugation with Tmab was successful and that cancer specific delivery of MNPs at the cellular level was achieved in vitro. Moreover, application of alternating current magnetic field at 280 kHz for 1 hour caused apoptotic-like cell death only to cancer cells without any cell damage to normal fibroblast FEF3 cells. Intracellular hyperthermia using cancer-specific antibody-modified magnetic nanoparticles have the potential to be applied to the treatment of disseminated cancer diseases. Citation Format: Tetsuya Kagawa, Hiroyuki Kishimoto, Toshiaki Ohara, Hiroshi Tazawa, Shunsuke Kagawa, Takeshi Nagasaka, Satoshi Nohara, Ichiro Kato, Adarsh Sandhu, Hiromichi Aono, Toshiyoshi Fujiwara. Hyperthermia at the single-cell level for disseminated cancer disease with immuno-magnetic nanoparticles [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3101. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3101

Comparative Study of Extracellular and Intracellular Magnetic Hyperthermia Treatments Using Magnetic Particle Imaging

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of intracellular magnetic hyperthermia treatment (MHT) in comparison with that of extracellular MHT using magnetic particle imaging (MPI). Colon-26 cells were implanted subcutaneously into the backs of 8-week-old male BALB/c mice. When the tumor volume reached approximately 100 mm3, the mice were divided into control (n = 10), extracellular MHT (n = 8), and intracellular MHT groups (n = 7). In the control group, MHT was not performed. In the extracellular MHT and intracellular MHT groups, the tumors were injected directly with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) (400 mM Resovist®) and were heated for 20 min using an alternating magnetic field. During MHT, the temperatures of the tumor and rectum were measured using optical fiber thermometers. In the extracellular MHT group, MHT was performed 15 min after the injection of MNPs, whereas MHT was performed one day after the injection of MNPs in the intracellular MHT group. In both groups, MPI images were obtained using our MPI scanner immediately before, immediately after, and 7 and 14 days after MHT. After the MPI studies, we drew a region of interest (ROI) on the tumor in the MPI image and calculated the average, maximum, and total MPI values and the number of pixels within the ROI. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images were also obtained from resected tumors. In all groups, tumor volume was measured every day and the relative tumor volume growth (RTVG) was calculated. The TEM images showed that almost all the MNPs were aggregated in the extracellular space in the extracellular MHT group, whereas they were contained within the intracellular space in the intracellular MHT group. Although the temperature of the tumor in the intracellular MHT group was significantly lower than that in the extracellular MHT group, the RTVG value in the intracellular MHT group was significantly lower than that in the control group 2 days or more after MHT and that in the extracellular MHT group 3, 4, and 5 days after MHT. The average MPI value normalized by that immediately before MHT in the intracellular MHT group was significantly higher than that in the extracellular MHT group immediately and 7 days after MHT. The maximum and total MPI values normalized by those immediately before MHT in the intracellular MHT group were significantly higher than those in the extracellular MHT group 7 days after MHT, suggesting that the temporal change of MNPs within the tumor in the intracellular MHT group was smaller than that in the extracellular MHT group. Our results suggest that intracellular MHT is more cytotoxic than extracellular MHT in spite of a lower temperature rise of tumors, and that MPI is useful for evaluating the difference in the temporal change of MNPs in the tumor between extracellular MHT and intracellular MHT.

Enhanced Intracellular Hyperthermia Efficiency by Magnetic Nanoparticles Modified with Nucleus and Mitochondria Targeting Peptides.

In order to investigate whether cell organelle targeting peptide can transport magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) into specific cell organelle, peptides bearing nuclear localization signal (NLS) or mitochondria targeting sequences were coagulated to MNPs. In vitro cytotoxicity study on the human liver cancer cells (HepG2) was tested by using MTT assay. Sub-cellular location of each peptide modified MNP (PEP-MNPs) was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The uptake of HepG2 cells growing in PEP-MNPs was measured by using ICP-OES. Magnetic induction heating efficacies of PEP-MNPs were analyzed by exposing the PEP-MNPs containing cells in an alternating magnetic field (AMF). It was demonstrated that PEP-MNPs were efficient agents for cancer nanothermotherapy with satisfactory biocompatibility. TEM showed that the fate of MNPs inside the cells depended on the peptide sequence attached to the particle surface. The uptake improvement was observed both in PEP-MNPs bearing NLS peptides and in PEP-MNPs bearing mitochondria targeting sequences. Virus original endocytosis sequence can enhance the uptake. MNP bearing mitochondria targeting sequence exerted a better magnetic induction hyperthermia performance comparing to that of NLS. Our investigation provides a strategy for fabrication cell organelle targeting magnetic nanoparticles. For instance, mitochondria targeting peptide conjugated MNPs for highly-efficiency magnetic nanothermotherapy and nuclear targeting peptides conjugated MNPs for gene magnetofection.

Effect of Nanoclustering and Dipolar Interactions in Heat Generation for Magnetic Hyperthermia.

Biomedical magnetic colloids commonly used in magnetic hyperthermia experiments often display a bidisperse structure, i.e., are composed of stable nanoclusters coexisting with well-dispersed nanoparticles. However, the influence of nanoclusters in the optimization of colloids for heat dissipation is usually excluded. In this work, bidisperse colloids are used to analyze the effect of nanoclustering and long-range magnetic dipolar interaction on the magnetic hyperthermia efficiency. Two kinds of colloids, composed of magnetite cores with mean sizes of around 10 and 18 nm, coated with oleic acid and dispersed in hexane, and coated with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid and dispersed in water, were analyzed. Small-angle X-ray scattering was applied to thoroughly characterize nanoparticle structuring. We proved that the magnetic hyperthermia performances of nanoclusters and single nanoparticles are distinctive. Nanoclustering acts to reduce the specific heating efficiency whereas a peak against concentration appears for the well-dispersed component. Our experiments show that the heating efficiency of a magnetic colloid can increase or decrease when dipolar interactions increase and that the colloid concentration, i.e., dipolar interaction, can be used to improve magnetic hyperthermia. We have proven that the power dissipated by an ensemble of dispersed magnetic nanoparticles becomes a nonextensive property as a direct consequence of the long-range nature of dipolar interactions. This knowledge is a key point in selecting the correct dose that has to be injected to achieve the desired outcome in intracellular magnetic hyperthermia therapy.

Targeted Delivery of Hyaluronan-Immobilized Magnetic Ceramic Nanocrystals.

Effective cancer therapy relies on delivering the therapeutic agent precisely to the target site to improve the treatment outcome and to minimize side effects. Although surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are the standard methods commonly used in clinics, hyperthermia has been developed as a new and promising strategy for cancer therapy. In this study, magnetic bioceramic hydroxyapatite (mHAP) nanocrystals have been developed as heat mediator for intracellular hyperthermia. Hyaluronic acid (HA) modified mHAP nanocrystals are synthesized by a wet chemical precipitation process to achieve active targeting. The results demonstrate that the HA targeting moiety conjugated by a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spacer arm is successfully immobilized on the surface of mHAP. The HA-modified mHAP possesses relatively good biocompatibility, an adequate biodegradation rate and superparamagnetic properties. The HA-modified mHAP could be localized and internalized into HA receptor-overexpressed malignant cells (e.g., MDA-MB-231 cell) and used as the heat generating agent for intracellular hyperthermia. The results from this study indicate that biocompatible HA-modified mHAP shows promise as a novel heat mediator and a specific targeting nanoagent for intracellular hyperthermia cancer therapy.

Real-time tracking of delayed-onset cellular apoptosis induced by intracellular magnetic hyperthermia.

To assess cell death pathways in response to magnetic hyperthermia. Human melanoma cells were loaded with citric acid-coated iron-oxide nanoparticles, and subjected to a time-varying magnetic field. Pathways were monitored in vitro in suspensions and in situ in monolayers using fluorophores to report on early-stage apoptosis and late-stage apoptosis and/or necrosis. Delayed-onset effects were observed, with a rate and extent proportional to the thermal-load-per-cell. At moderate loads, membranal internal-to-external lipid exchange preceded rupture and death by a few hours (the timeline varying cell-to-cell), without any measurable change in the local environment temperature. Our observations support the proposition that intracellular heating may be a viable, controllable and nonaggressive in vivo treatment for human pathological conditions.

In situ measurement of magnetization relaxation of internalized nanoparticles in live cells.

Magnetization relaxation mechanisms strongly influence how magnetic nanoparticles respond to high-frequency fields in applications such as magnetic hyperthermia. The dominant mechanism depends on the mobility of the particles, which will be affected in turn by their microenvironment. In this study AC susceptometry was used to follow the in situ magnetic response of model systems of blocked and superparamagnetic nanoparticles, following their cellular internalization and subsequent release by freeze-thaw lysis. The AC susceptibility signal from internalized particles in live cells showed only Néel relaxation, consistent with measurements of immobilized nanoparticle suspensions. However, Brownian relaxation was restored after cell lysis, indicating that the immobilization effect was reversible and that nanoparticle integrity was maintained in the cells. The results presented demonstrate that cellular internalization can disable Brownian relaxation, which has significant implications for designing suitable nanoparticles for intracellular hyperthermia applications. Further to this, the results highlight the possibility that particles could be released in reusable form from degrading cells following hyperthermia treatment, and subsequently reabsorbed by viable cells.

Magnetization Reversal and Specific Loss Power of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Cellular Environment Evaluated by AC Hysteresis Measurement

The effect of intracellular hyperthermia induced by magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has been evaluated using a theoretical model. In this study, magnetization reversal of MNPs in the cellular environment under an AC magnetic field was evaluated on the basis of measured AC hysteresis loops. The specific and intrinsic loss powers—SLP and ILP—were also estimated from the area of AC hysteresis loops. The measured samples were a liquid sample dispersed in water, a fixed sample mixed with an epoxy bond, and a cellular sample. In the cellular environment, the rotations of particles and magnetic moments were inhibited by particle‐cell and dipole‐dipole interactions, respectively. The heat dissipation of the MNPs in the cellular environment was lower than that of the liquid and fixed samples. Moreover, the SLP in a single cell was estimated. The temperature increase of a single cell was calculated on the basis of the conventional theoretical model and the SLP measured in a single cell.

Low-dose chemotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma through triggered-release from bilayer-decorated magnetoliposomes

Low-dose (LD) chemotherapy is a promising treatment strategy that may be improved by controlled delivery. Polyethylene glycol-stabilized bilayer-decorated magnetoliposomes (dMLs) have been designed as a stimuli-responsive LD chemotherapy drug delivery system and tested in vitro using Huh-7 hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. The dMLs contained hydrophobic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles within the lipid bilayer and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX, 2μM) within the aqueous core. Structural analysis by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering showed that the assemblies were approximately 120nm in diameter. Furthermore, the samples consisted of a mixture of dMLs and bare liposomes (no nanoparticles), which provided dual burst and spontaneous DOX release profiles, respectively. Cell viability results show that the cytotoxicity of DOX-loaded dMLs was similar to that of bare dMLs (∼10%), which indicates that spontaneous DOX leakage had little cytotoxic effect. However, when subjected to a physiologically acceptable radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic field, cell viability was reduced up to 40% after 8h and significant cell death (>90%) was observed after 24h. The therapeutic mechanism was intracellular RF-triggered DOX release from the dMLs and not intracellular hyperthermia due to nanoparticle heating via magnetic losses.

Optimization of Magnetic Labeling Process for Intracellular Hyperthermia in Cervical Cancer Cells

Effective therapies for malignant tumors are needed, and magnetic hyperthermia has shown positive results in biomedical studies. Here, we optimize the magnetic labeling process for intracellular hyperthermia and evaluate the cytotoxicity effects of cervical cancer cell (HeLa) mediated by intracellular hyperthermia. Experimentally, cells were incubated with different concentrations of 10 nm anionic iron oxide nanoparticles, and the incubation times varied from 6 to 24 h. Iron stain (Prussian blue) and magnetophoresis were performed to evaluate the efficiency of cells internalizing the nanoparticles. An optimized condition for intracellular magnetic label was obtained, and a trypan blue exclusion test analyzed the cytotoxicity effects after cells were exposed to ac magnetic field ( f = 21 kHz, H = 4 kA/m). Cell viabilities decreased to 49% ~ 50% immediately after 120 s of treatment. After culturing the cells for 48 h, it was found that only 5% ~ 8% of cells remained viable.

Physical Contribution of Néel and Brown Relaxation to Interpreting Intracellular Hyperthermia Characteristics Using Superparamagnetic Nanofluids

In this work, the AC magnetically-induced heating characteristics of various viscous nanofluids with either soft ferrite (Fe3O4) or hard ferrite (CoFe2O4) superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPNPs) were investigated to empirically and physically interpret the contribution of "Néel relaxation loss power, P(Néel relaxation loss)," or "Brown relaxation loss power, P(Brown relaxation loss)," to the total AC heat generation of intracellular hyperthermia or in-vivo hyperthermia. It was found that the contribution of P(Brown relaxation loss) to the total AC heating power, P(totaI), and the specific loss power (SLP) was severely affected by the surrounding environment (or in-vivo environment) while the contribution of P(Néel relaxation loss) to the P(total) was independent of the variation of surrounding environment. Furthermore, all the theoretical and experimental results strongly suggested that highly efficacious intracellular hyperthermia (or in-vivo hyperthermia) modality can be achieved by enhancing the P(Néel relaxation loss) rather than the P(Brown relaxation loss) of SPNP agents in nanofluids.

Fluorescent Nanothermometers Provide Controlled Plasmonic-Mediated Intracellular Hyperthermia

This article demonstrates how controlled hyperthermia at the cellular level can be achieved. The method is based on the simultaneous intracellular incorporation of fluorescence nanothermometers (CdSe quantum dots) and metallic nanoheaters (gold nanorods). Real-time spectral analysis of the quantum dot emission provides a detailed feedback about the intracellular thermal loading caused by gold nanorods excited at the plasmon frequency. Based on this approach, thermal dosimetry is assessed in such a way that the infrared laser (heating) power required to achieve catastrophic intracellular temperature increments in cancer cells is identified. This pure optical method emerges as a new and promising guide for the development of infrared hyperthermia therapies with minimal invasiveness.

Improved delivery of magnetic nanoparticles with chemotherapy cancer treatment.

Most nanoparticle-based cancer therapeutic strategies seek to develop an effective individual cancer cell or metastatic tumor treatment. Critical to the success of these therapies is to direct as much of the agent as possible to the targeted tissue while avoiding unacceptable normal tissue complications. In this light, three different cisplatinum/magnetic nanoparticle (mNP) administration regimens were investigated. The most important finding suggests that clinically relevant doses of cisplatinum result in a significant increase in the tumor uptake of systemically delivered mNP. This enhancement of mNP tumor uptake creates the potential for an even greater therapeutic ratio through the addition of mNP based, intracellular hyperthermia.

Development of novel NPrCAP-magnetite nanoparticles and evaluation of the therapeutic effect by chemo-thermo-immunotherapy for melanoma

Background: N-Propionyl-4-S- cysteaminylphenol (NPrCAP) is a melanogenesis substrate, specifically taken up by melanoma cells and inhibits their growth by producing cytotoxic free radicals. By taking advantage of this unique chemical agent, we have established melanoma targeting intracellular hyperthermia by conjugating NPrCAP with magnetite nanoparticles (NPrCAP/M) which generate thermal heat upon exposure to alternating magnetic fields (AMF). NPrCAP/M with AMF to B16 melanoma grown in C57BL mice inhibited the growth of not only primary transplant of melanoma cells (chemotherapeutic effect) but also re-challenged, secondary melanoma transplant on to the opposite side of the body (immunotherapeutic effect).

The Effect of Cell Cluster Size on Intracellular Nanoparticle-Mediated Hyperthermia: Is It Possible to Treat Microscopic Tumors?

To compare the measured surface temperature of variable size ensembles of cells heated by intracellular magnetic fluid hyperthermia with heat diffusion model predictions. Starch-coated Bionized NanoFerrite (Micromod Partikeltechnologie GmbH, Rostock, Germany) iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles were loaded into cultured DU145 prostate cancer cells. Cell pellets of variable size were treated with alternating magnetic fields. The surface temperature of the pellets was measured in situ and the associated cytotoxicity was determined by clonogenic survival assay. For a given intracellular nanoparticle concentration, a critical minimum number of cells was required for cytotoxic hyperthermia. Above this threshold, cytotoxicity increased with increasing cell number. The measured surface temperatures were consistent with those predicted by a heat diffusion model that ignores intercellular thermal barriers. These results suggest a minimum tumor volume threshold of approximately 1 mm(3), below which nanoparticle-mediated heating is unlikely to be effective as the sole cytotoxic agent.

More efficient NIR photothermal therapeutic effect from intracellular heating modality than extracellular heating modality: an in vitro study

In this study, efforts were placed in giving some in vitro key clues to the question on which is more efficient for the cancer hyperthermia between intracellular and extracellular modalities. Near infrared (NIR) photothermal responsive gold nanorods (GNRs) were adopted to cause cellular thermolysis either from inside or outside of cells. GNRs were synthesized with the size of 30.4 nm (in length) × 8.4 nm (in width). Demonstrated by ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasmon mass spectroscopy), UV–Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses, various cell uptake doses of nanoparticles were differentiated due to different molecular designs on GNRs surfaces and different types of cells chosen (three cancer cell lines and three normal ones). Under our continuous wavelengths (CW) NIR irradiation, it resulted that the cells which internalized GNRs died faster than the cells surrounded by GNRs. Furthermore, fluorescent images and flow cytometry data also showed that the NIR photothermal therapeutic effect was greater when the amount of internalized GNRs per cell was larger. Generally speaking, the GNRs assisted intracellular hyperthermia exhibited more precise and efficient control on the selective cancer ablation. To a larger degree, such a relationship between GNRs distribution and hyperthermia efficiency might be applied to wider spectra of cell types and heat-producing nanoparticles, which provided a promise for future cancer thermal therapeutic designs.

Application of magnetically induced hyperthermia in the model protozoan Crithidia fasciculata as a potential therapy against parasitic infections

BackgroundMagnetic hyperthermia is currently a clinical therapy approved in the European Union for treatment of tumor cells, and uses magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) under time-varying magnetic fields (TVMFs). The same basic principle seems promising against trypanosomatids causing Chagas disease and sleeping sickness, given that the therapeutic drugs available have severe side effects and that there are drug-resistant strains. However, no applications of this strategy against protozoan-induced diseases have been reported so far. In the present study, Crithidia fasciculata, a widely used model for therapeutic strategies against pathogenic trypanosomatids, was targeted with Fe3O4 MNPs in order to provoke cell death remotely using TVMFs.MethodsIron oxide MNPs with average diameters of approximately 30 nm were synthesized by precipitation of FeSO4 in basic medium. The MNPs were added to C. fasciculata choanomastigotes in the exponential phase and incubated overnight, removing excess MNPs using a DEAE-cellulose resin column. The amount of MNPs uploaded per cell was determined by magnetic measurement. The cells bearing MNPs were submitted to TVMFs using a homemade AC field applicator (f = 249 kHz, H = 13 kA/m), and the temperature variation during the experiments was measured. Scanning electron microscopy was used to assess morphological changes after the TVMF experiments. Cell viability was analyzed using an MTT colorimetric assay and flow cytometry.ResultsMNPs were incorporated into the cells, with no noticeable cytotoxicity. When a TVMF was applied to cells bearing MNPs, massive cell death was induced via a nonapoptotic mechanism. No effects were observed by applying TVMF to control cells not loaded with MNPs. No macroscopic rise in temperature was observed in the extracellular medium during the experiments.ConclusionAs a proof of principle, these data indicate that intracellular hyperthermia is a suitable technology to induce death of protozoan parasites bearing MNPs. These findings expand the possibilities for new therapeutic strategies combating parasitic infection.

Application of Hyperthermia for Cancer Treatment: Recent Patents Review

Cancer is one of the main causes of death in the world and its incidence increases every day. Current treatments are insufficient and present many breaches. Hyperthermia is an old concept and since early it was established as a cancer treatment option, mainly in superficial cancers. More recently the concept of intracellular hyperthermia emerged wherein magnetic particles are concentrated at the tumor site and remotely heated using an applied magnetic field to achieve hyperthermic temperatures (42-45°C). Many patents have been registered in this area since the year 2000. This review presents the most relevant information, organizing them according to the hyperthermic method used: 1) external Radio-Frequency devices; 2) hyperthermic perfusion; 3) frequency enhancers; 4) apply heating to the target site using a catheter; 5) injection of magnetic and ferroelectric particles; 6) injection of magnetic nanoparticles that may carry a pharmacological active drug. The use of magnetic nanoparticles is a very promising treatment approach since it may be used for diagnostic and treatment. An ideal magnetic nanoparticle would be able to detect and diagnose the tumor, carry a pharmacological active drug to be delivered in the tumor site, apply hyperthermia through an external magnetic field and allow treatment monitoring by magnetic resonance imaging.

Cancer hyperthermia using magnetic nanoparticles

Magnetic-nanoparticle-mediated intracellular hyperthermia has the potential to achieve localized tumor heating without any side effects. The technique consists of targeting magnetic nanoparticles to tumor tissue followed by application of an external alternating magnetic field that induces heat through Néel relaxation loss of the magnetic nanoparticles. The temperature in tumor tissue is increased to above 43°C, which causes necrosis of cancer cells, but does not damage surrounding normal tissue. Among magnetic nanoparticles available, magnetite has been extensively studied. Recent years have seen remarkable advances in magnetite-nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia; both functional magnetite nanoparticles and alternating-magnetic-field generators have been developed. In addition to the expected tumor cell death, hyperthermia treatment has also induced unexpected biological responses, such as tumor-specific immune responses as a result of heat-shock protein expression. These results suggest that hyperthermia is able to kill not only local tumors exposed to heat treatment, but also tumors at distant sites, including metastatic cancer cells. Currently, several research centers have begun clinical trials with promising results, suggesting that the time may have come for clinical applications. This review describes recent advances in magnetite nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia.

Noninvasive Radiofrequency Field Destruction of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Xenografts Treated with Targeted Gold Nanoparticles

Pancreatic carcinoma is one of the deadliest cancers with few effective treatments. Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) are potentially therapeutic because of the safety demonstrated thus far and their physiochemical characteristics. We used the astounding heating rates of AuNPs in nonionizing radiofrequency (RF) radiation to investigate human pancreatic xenograft destruction in a murine model. Weekly, Panc-1 and Capan-1 human pancreatic carcinoma xenografts in immunocompromised mice were exposed to an RF field 36 hours after treatment (intraperitoneal) with cetuximab- or PAM4 antibody-conjugated AuNPs, respectively. Tumor sizes were measured weekly, whereas necrosis and cleaved caspase-3 were investigated with hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence, respectively. In addition, AuNP internalization and cytotoxicity were investigated in vitro with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, respectively. Panc-1 cells demonstrated increased apoptosis with decreased viability after treatment with cetuximab-conjugated AuNPs and RF field exposure (P = 0.00005). Differences in xenograft volumes were observed within 2 weeks of initiating therapy. Cetuximab- and PAM4-conjugated AuNPs demonstrated RF field-induced destruction of Panc-1 and Capan-1 pancreatic carcinoma xenografts after 6 weeks of weekly treatment (P = 0.004 and P = 0.035, respectively). There was no evidence of injury to murine organs. Cleaved caspase-3 and necrosis were both increased in treated tumors. This study demonstrates a potentially novel cancer therapy by noninvasively inducing intracellular hyperthermia with targeted AuNPs in an RF field. While the therapy is dependent on the specificity of the targeting antibody, normal tissues were without toxicity despite systemic therapy and whole-body RF field exposure.