ELF-ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS INHIBIT THE PROLIFERATION OF HUMAN CANCER CELLS AND INDUCE APOPTOSIS

Abstract

Weak and low-frequency pulsating electromagnetic fields (ELF-MF) can be applied to change cell metabolism, if cells are treated in a specific range of frequency and amplitude. In our case, the influence on proliferation of human K562 cells has been studied by applying a sinusoidal 50 Hz field of magnetic flux densities (B) between 2 and 13 mT for 2 or 4 days. In repeating all runs three times—counting each day—no difference between experiment and control was found below 6 mT. However, stronger field amplitudes inhibit cell division and induce apoptosis and necrosis as shown by flow cytometry. Treatment with ≥10 mT decreases the number of living cells to only 2% of the control. This electromagnetically induced apoptosis may be a first step for a noninvasive treatment of cancer tissue for inhibition of its proliferation.

• K-562 cells
• Electromagnetic induction
• Solenoid field
• Flow cytometry
• Apoptosis induction
• Proliferation inhibition
• ELF-MF effects