PhD Scientific Days 2025

Poster Session I. - I: Theoretical and Translational Medicine

Balancing Cytotoxicity and Immunity: Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia–Induced Tumor Regression and Immune Profiling in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Name of the presenter

Elsalahaty Mohamed Ismail Abdrabelnaby

Institute/workplace of the presenter

Institute of Translational Medicince

Authors

Mohamed I. Elsalahaty¹, Csaba András Schvarcz¹, Pedro Henrique Leroy Viana¹, Dániel Bócsi¹, Zoltán Koós¹, Hakim Bahlok Jebur¹, Qusay O. Abdalla¹, Péter Hamar¹

1: Institute of Translational Medicine - Semmelweis University - 1094, Tűzoltó utca, 37-49, Budapest, Hungary

Text of the abstract

Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking ER, PR, and HER2 expression, representing 15–20% of cases and characterized by high recurrence, metastasis, and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Despite advances, durable therapies that enhance both prognosis and quality of life (QoL) remain crucially needed. Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT), a non-invasive, non-toxic therapy using 13.56 MHz radiofrequency to selectively heat tumors, has shown efficacy in TNBC models such as 4T1. However, it may also impair immune profile and T cell cytotoxicity compared to sham-treated group.
Aims: This study aims to boost anti-tumor immunity alongside mEHT to enhance therapeutic outcomes, with potential for translational impact and improved TNBC prognosis.
Methods: Orthotopic 4T1 tumors were established in female BALB/c mice via injection into the fourth mammary fat pad. Upon tumor palpation (day 6), mice were randomized and treated with modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) three times at 48-hour intervals. Tumors were harvested for bulk RNA sequencing, and differential expression of immunity-related genes was assessed. A heatmap of the top 30 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was generated, and immune cell infiltration including CD8+ T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and natural killer (NK) cells was quantified using the murine Microenvironment Cell Population counter (mMCP-counter) algorithm.
Results: While mEHT induced tumor regression, transcriptomic analysis revealed reduced or trending reductions in immune cell infiltration and cytotoxic activity compared to sham-treated mice.
Conclusion: These findings support a data-driven hypothesis that combining mEHT with immunomodulatory agent may enhance cytotoxic immune infiltration and improve treatment efficacy. This combination approach holds promise for developing superior therapeutic strategies with sustained responses and improved quality of life for TNBC patients.
Funding: Semmelweis University: SE 250+ Excellence PhD Scholarship (SE250-2025-101), Ministry of Culture and Innovation, Hungary (National Research, Development and Innovation Office): OTKA_K 145998, Tempus Public Foundation: Stipendium Hungaricum PhD scholarship.