Bioelectromagnetic Field Effects on Cancer Cells and Mice Tumors

Abstract

We present possibilities and trends of ELF bioelectromagnetic effects in the mT amplitude range on cancer cells and on mice bearing tumors. In contrast to invasive electrochemotherapy and electrogenetherapy, using mostly needle electrodes and single high-amplitude electropulses for treatment, extremely low-frequency (ELF) pulsating electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and sinusoidal electromagnetic fields (SEMF) induce tumor cell apoptosis, inhibit angiogenesis, impede proliferation of neoplastic cells, and cause necrosis non invasively, whereas human lymphocytes are negligibly affected. Our successful results in killing cancer cells—analyzed by trypan blue staining or by flow cytometry—and of the inhibition of MX-1 tumors in mice by 15–20 mT, 50 Hz treatment in a solenoid coil also in the presence of bleomycin are presented in comparison to similar experimental results from the literature.

In conclusion, the synergistic combinations of PEMF or SEMF with hyperthermia (41.5°C) and/or cancerostatic agents presented in the tables for cells and mice offer a basis for further development of an adjuvant treatment for patients suffering from malignant tumors and metastases pending the near-term development of suitable solenoids of 45–60 cm in diameter, producing >20 mT in their cores.

Keywords:

• Non invasive PEMF
• Synergism
• Bleomycin
• Hyperthermia
• Photodynamic effect

Acknowledgments

Maria Radeva and Nelly Traitcheva are grateful for a grant from the Gesellschaft für Biologische Krebsabwehr (Heidelberg) to work in the Laboratory of Bioelectrochemistry of Prof. H. Berg, Jena, Germany. All of the authors would like to thank Prof. Steve Smith (Florida) for correcting our manuscript.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.