Ga Tech Researchers Use Magnets to Treat Cancer

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – Scientists at Georgia Tech are testing a new way to treat cancer. Instead of chemotherapy or radiation, the procedure involves magnets. WABE's Jim Burress reports.

It sounds simple. Attach tiny, magnetic particles to cancer cells then use a magnet to remove the cancer.

In 2008, researchers at Georgia Tech did just that in mice. It worked. Now, they're seeing similar success in human samples.

Ken Scarberry, a post-doc student working on the project, says part of the procedure's appeal is that it all takes place outside of the body:

"The cancer cells are extracted using a magnetic filter, if you will, and the fluids the filtered fluids are returned to the body."

So far tested on ovarian cancer cells, the procedure is still in development. It's not yet been tested in humans one of several steps before gaining FDA approval.

The results are published in the journal Nanomedicine.

Jim Burress, WABE News.