Singapore researchers report promising preclinical results using low-intensity magnetic pulses against breast cancer.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore are developing a non-invasive approach that uses magnetic pulses to change how immune cells behave around breast cancer tumours.
Magnetic Pulses Reprogram Immune Cells
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have demonstrated that pulsed electromagnetic fields, or PEMFs, can reprogram tumor-associated macrophages, immune cells that can be manipulated by cancer to support tumor growth, into an active anti-tumor state. The research was led by Associate Professor Alfredo Franco-Obregón from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology, with the study published in Smart Medicine on June 4, 2026.
Tumors Eliminated in 75% of Preclinical Models
In laboratory research, the NUS team reported that PEMF treatment completely eliminated tumors in 75 percent of tested preclinical models after four 30-minute sessions, without chemotherapy. The low-intensity magnetic pulses target specific areas without generating heat or directly damaging tissue. Researchers emphasized that these results were obtained in preclinical models and do not mean the treatment has yet been proven effective as a stand-alone therapy for cancer patients.
TRPC1 Protein Acts as Molecular Switch
The researchers identified the TRPC1 protein as central to the process. A brief 10-minute PEMF exposure activated TRPC1 channels in M2-like tumor-associated macrophages and triggered signaling that converted them into an M1 state associated with attacking threats. According to the NUS team, the reprogrammed immune cells then targeted cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, while the magnetic treatment also disrupted communication between cancer cells and tumor-associated macrophages.
Treatment Could Work Alongside Chemotherapy
The research builds on earlier NUS work showing that PEMFs can increase breast cancer cells’ uptake of doxorubicin, a chemotherapy drug. Franco-Obregón told The Straits Times that previous findings showed PEMF exposure could halve the effective dosage needed for drugs such as doxorubicin to suppress cancer cells. The team plans to investigate whether the magnetic-pulse approach can work together with chemotherapy to improve treatment effectiveness while reducing drug exposure.
Phase II Trials Are the Next Step
The PEMF device has already completed a Phase I clinical trial assessing safety in breast cancer patients, and the team is now seeking partners for Phase II trials that will evaluate effectiveness in a larger patient group. Researchers said the next phase will examine tumor shrinkage and the treatment’s interaction with chemotherapy. Franco-Obregón cautioned that PEMF remains an investigational therapy and should complement, not replace, established medical care while clinical testing continues.
The NUS findings represent a promising step in Singapore’s breast cancer research, but the technology still requires further clinical testing before it could become standard treatment. For Singaporeans, the study highlights locally developed biomedical research moving from laboratory testing toward patient trials. For Indonesians, the nearby development is one to watch as Phase II trials determine whether the encouraging preclinical results can translate effectively into patient care.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , NUS EDU SG (2026)
Keywords: NUS Breast Cancer Research, Magnetic Pulse Cancer Therapy, PEMF Therapy, Breast Cancer Treatment, Tumor Associated Macrophages, Singapore Cancer Research
