Pulsed magnetic field-induced cell permeabilization: Dose–response and chemotherapeutic potentiation

Abstract

Non-contact pulsed magnetic field (PMF) can alter cell membrane permeability, offering a novel pathway for the transmembrane delivery of exogenous substances. However, the dose–response characteristics of the relevant parameters remain unclear, and in vitro validation in combination with chemotherapeutic agents is still lacking. To address this gap, this study systematically evaluated the effects of magnetic induction intensity and pulse width on cell membrane permeability using a self-built, adjustable PMF generator, and further investigated, in a molecular size-oriented manner, the enhancement of cytotoxicity for different chemotherapeutic agents. The results showed that, within the tested parameter ranges, the cell permeabilization rate increased exponentially with magnetic induction intensity and followed a sigmoidal trend with pulse width. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the small-molecular-size meisoindigo was markedly enhanced under the PMF (up to a 4.52-fold increase), whereas the larger-molecular-size paclitaxel showed only minimal potentiation. This Letter not only elucidates the parameter–dose relationships governing PMF-induced cell permeabilization, but also, for the first time, demonstrates the feasibility of PMF-synergized drug potentiation guided by drug molecular size. Together, these findings provide important theoretical and experimental support for parameter optimization and for expanding the applications of noninvasive magnetic field-assisted chemotherapy.