Development and In Vitro Validation of a Mobile 13.56 MHz Radiofrequency Hyperthermia Platform in Cancer Cell Models

Hyperthermia is an adjunct therapeutic approach that induces stress responses in biological tissues via controlled heat and can enhance cancer therapy. However, many RF-based systems are fixed and limited in experimental flexibility. Therefore, the development of portable RF hyperthermia platforms is essential for in vitro optimization and preclinical investigations. This study developed a mobile 13.56 MHz RF hyperthermia system and evaluated its thermal performance and preliminary in vitro biological effects. A mobile prototype including an RF generator, matching unit, electrode chamber, sample holder, and touchscreen interface was built. Human cancer cell lines (A549 and MDA-MB-231) and non-cancerous HUVEC cells were exposed to RF power levels of 40 W and 50 W for 10 min to assess the biological effects of thermal exposure. Apoptotic responses were analyzed by Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry. The system generated temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 °C depending on the applied RF power and experimental conditions. RF exposure increased apoptotic populations in a cell-dependent manner. MDA-MB-231 cells showed significantly increased apoptotic populations compared with their corresponding untreated controls, whereas A549 cells exhibited a temperature-dependent shift toward increased necrosis at higher power levels. HUVEC responses indicated limited selectivity under the tested conditions. Overall, the developed platform demonstrated both technical feasibility and biological activity, providing a practical tool for controlled in vitro RF hyperthermia studies. The findings support further mechanistic investigations and future preclinical studies aimed at optimizing RF-assisted therapeutic strategies.