Mayo Clinic Installs First U.S. Magnetic Nanoparticle Hyperthermia Machine for Cancer Research
Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with New Phase Ltd., has installed the first magnetic nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia machine in the U.S. for cancer research. This investigational machine will support studies evaluating the safety, feasibility, and potential effectiveness of this approach in cancer treatment.
Understanding the Technology
Hyperthermia is a procedure that uses heat to damage and kill cancer cells. The new machine operates as an electromagnetic induction system specifically designed to target the torso.
The process begins with patients receiving iron oxide-containing magnetic nanoparticles intravenously. These nanoparticles are designed to collect in tumors. The patient is then positioned in the machine, where electromagnetic waves heat the tumors to facilitate the destruction of cancer cells.
The process functions similarly to an induction cooktop. The tumor, having absorbed the nanoparticles, acts as an 'induction pan.' Alternating magnetic fields pulse this area, generating heat. A special coating on the nanoparticles limits the temperature to a maximum of 50 degrees Celsius. Cooling blankets are utilized to manage patient body temperature, and patients are closely monitored throughout the procedure.
Installation and Clinical Trial Progress
New Phase Ltd. manufactures both the hyperthermia machine and the nanoparticles. The machine was installed within the Radiation Oncology Department at Mayo Clinic in Rochester in November 2025. The first U.S. patient received hyperthermia as part of a clinical trial in December 2025.
In the ongoing clinical trial, the investigational therapy is administered to metastatic solid tumors in any body area except the brain. This treatment can be applied to multiple tumors simultaneously and to cancers located deep within the body. The research focuses on patients whose cancers have shown resistance to multiple lines of systemic therapies and other advanced treatments, including radiotherapy.
Expert Perspectives on the Future of Hyperthermia
Dr. Scott Lester, a radiation oncologist at Mayo Clinic, offers insight into the potential of this new approach:
"The technology may enable a novel application of heat for advanced cancers."
Dr. Sean Park, also a radiation oncologist at Mayo Clinic and co-principal investigator of the trial with Dr. Lester, confirmed the focus on patients with therapy-resistant cancers.
Dr. Lester further noted that hyperthermia may serve as a complementary treatment in cancer therapy. Researchers plan to investigate hyperthermia in combination with other treatments, such as radiation. Potential benefits include the use of lower radiation doses or improved outcomes in radiation-resistant tumors.
Ofer Shalev, CEO and co-founder of New Phase Ltd., commented that the collaboration aims to expand treatment possibilities for metastatic cancer patients with limited current options.
Dr. Nadia Laack, chair of Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic, contrasted this new method with previous approaches, mentioning that older hyperthermia methods that used ultrasound to heat water-filled bags were limited by unreliable temperatures and patient discomfort.
She expressed optimism for the new method:
"This new method could reintroduce hyperthermia into cancer therapy more effectively, potentially leading to wider availability if its effectiveness is demonstrated."