Synergistic effect of EMF–BEMER-type pulsed weak electromagnetic field and HPMA-bound doxorubicin on mouse EL4 T-cell lymphoma

Abstract

We have investigated the effects of low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (LF-EMF) produced by BEMER device on experimental mouse T-cell lymphoma EL4 growing on conventional and/or athymic (nude) mice. Exposure to EMF–BEMER slowed down the growth of tumor mass and prolonged the survival of experimental animals. The effect was more pronounced in immuno-compromised nude mice compared to conventional ones. Acceleration of tumor growth was never observed. No measurable levels of Hsp 70 or increased levels of specific anti-EL4 antibodies were detected in the serum taken from experimental mice before and at different intervals during the experiment, i.e. before solid tumor appeared, at the time of its aggressive growth, and at the terminal stage of the disease. A significant synergizing antitumor effect was seen when EL4 tumor-bearing mice were simultaneously exposed to EMF–BEMER and treated with suboptimal dose of synthetic HPMA copolymer-based doxorubicin, DOX^HYD-HPMA. Such a combination may be especially useful for heavily treated patients suffering from advanced tumor and requiring additional aggressive chemotherapy which, however, at that time could represent almost life-threatening way of medication.

Keywords::

• EL4 T-cell lymphoma
• athymic mice
• DOX^HYD-HPMA
• EMF
• anticancer resistance
• stimulation of the immune system

Acknowledgments

We should like to express our appreciation for the excellent technical assistance of Miss Pavlína Jungrová and Mrs. Helena Mišurcová.

Declaration of interest

This research was supported by the Institutional Research Concept AV0Z50200510, BEMER International AG, Lichtenstein and by the Grant Agency of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (grant IAA 400 200 702).