Magneto-mechanical stimulation of cells: A unique tool for fundamental studies in mechanobiology and Novel Therapeutic Pathways

Low-frequency magnetic fields (1–20 Hz) can induce mechanical vibrations of magnetic particles, enabling controlled mechanical stress at the cellular level. By affecting membrane permeability and/or cytoskeletal organization, this stress can trigger physiological responses depending on cell type and stimulation intensity.Previous in-vitro studies on cells cultured in 2D have shown that this approach can very effectively destroy cancer cells [1]. However, the cellular microenvironment strongly influences these effects through its impact on cell metabolism and on the mechanical behavior of vibrating particles. Cell spheroids, which form 3D cellular assemblies, provide a more relevant model than conventional 2D cultures.

We performed experiments on pancreatic organoids and tumoroids composed of healthy and cancerous cells. After 24 h incubation with magnetic particles, tumoroids captured nearly all encountered particles, whereas healthy organoids excluded most of them. Exposure to a rotating magnetic field induced extensive cancer cell death within 4 h, while healthy cells remained viable. These results highlight magneto-mechanical stimulation as a powerful tool for mechanobiology studies and open new routes of cancer therapies [2].

[1] C. Naud et al, Nanoscale Adv., 2, 3632 (2020)

[2] B.Dieny et al, Phys.Rev.Appl. 23, 010501 (2025)