Enhanced effect of X-rays in the presence of a static magnetic field within a 3d pancreatic cancer model

To evaluate the impact of static magnetic field (SMF) presence on the radiation response of pancreatic cancer cells in polyurethane based highly macro-porous scaffolds in hypoxic (1% O2) and normoxic (21% O2) conditions, towards understanding MR-guided radiotherapy, shedding light on the potential interaction phenomenon between SMF and radiation in a 3D microenvironment. Pancreatic cancer cells (PANC-1, ASPC-1) were seeded into fibronectin-coated highly porous polyethene scaffolds for biomimicry and cultured for 4 weeks in in vitro normoxia (21% O2) followed by a two-day exposure to either in vitro hypoxia (1% O2) or maintenance in in vitro normoxia (21% O2). The samples were then irradiated with 6 MV photons in the presence or absence of a 1.5 T field. Thereafter, in situ post radiation monitoring (one day and seven days post-irradiation treatment) took place via quantification of (i) live dead and (ii) apoptotic profiles. We report (i) PDAC hypoxia associated radioprotection, in line with our previous findings, (ii) an enhanced effect of radiation in the presence of SMFin in vitro hypoxia (1% O2) for both short (one day) and long term (seven days) post radiation analysis and (iii) an enhanced effect of radiation in the presence of SMF in in vitro normoxia (21% O2) for long term (seven days) post radiation analysis within a 3D pancreatic cancer model With limited understanding of the potential interaction phenomenon between SMF and radiation, this 3D system allows combination evaluation for a cancer in which the role of radiotherapy is still evolving. This study examined the use of a 3D model to investigate MR-guided radiotherapy in a hypoxic microenvironment, indicating that this could be a useful platform to further understanding of SMF influence on radiation.