{
  "id": 7240376,
  "title": "Singapore university researchers find magnetic pulses can turn immune cells against breast cancer",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/singapore-university-researchers-find-magnetic-pulses-can-turn-immune",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-14T04:10:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2026/09/14/singapore-university-researchers-find-magnetic-pulses-can-turn-immune-cells-against-breast-cancer/235134"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singaporean researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have discovered that magnetic pulses could potentially transform immune cells that typically aid tumor growth into cells that can actively combat breast cancer. According to reports in The Straits Times, these researchers utilized intermittent, low-intensity pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) to eliminate tumors in 75% of pre-clinical models within four 30-minute sessions, all without the need for chemotherapy. PEMFs are weak magnetic waves capable of traversing the body without generating heat or harming tissues. The lead researcher, Alfredo Franco-Obregon from the NUS Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, explained that the magnetic pulses interact with microscopic gates called TRPC1 channels located on cells, leading to a regulated influx of calcium that activates the cells' mitochondria. The study revealed that while the process can promote healing and energy production in healthy cells, cancer cells are more susceptible to excessive calcium and metabolic stress due to their overexpression of the TRPC1 channel. Furthermore, the magnetic pulses were identified to reprogram immune cells that foster tumor growth, causing them to instead ingest breast cancer cells and assist in restoring the immune system's capability to identify and eliminate cancer. The findings, published on June 4 in the peer-reviewed journal Smart Medicine, were built upon earlier research by the same team demonstrating that brief PEMF exposure could increase breast cancer cells' absorption of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. Franco-Obregon stated that their clinical aim is to maximize efficacy while minimizing toxicity, thereby preserving patients' quality of life and immune health without compromising therapeutic effectiveness. However, it is essential to note that the utilization of magnetic pulses to directly destroy cancer cells or modify the behavior of immune cells has only been validated in pre-clinical laboratory models and has yet to be confirmed as a treatment for patients. Franco-Obregon mentioned that efforts to translate this research into patient care are already underway.",
  "summary": "SINGAPORE, Sept 14 — Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have reportedly found that gentle m...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "This discovery suggests a potential new approach to treating breast cancer, one that could minimize toxicity and preserve patients' quality of life by reprogramming immune cells to combat tumors.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}