Glioblastoma Cancer Cells Destruction by Mechanical Stimulation Using Magnetic Particles: In vitro versus In vivo Assays and Investigations in 3D Gels

The mechanical vibration of magnetic particles by low frequency magnetic field allows for the application of mechanical stresses at the cells level. Although proven to be very effective in triggering cancer cells death in vitro, the results obtained in-vivo with real glioblastoma tumors were so far not as successful. According to our observations, several differences between in-vitro and in-vivo situations explain these contrasted results, including the limited dispersion of the magnetic particles in the tumor and the difference in medium stiffness.After detailing the results obtained so far, we will show how the particles dispersion within biological tissue can be improved by functionalization and how 3D cell spheroids open new perspectives for these investigations.