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.