Effects of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on glioblastoma cells (U -118 MG)

2023 · Harm · Low evidence

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HarmLow evidencePaper 333

Exposure to 2.4 GHz RF-EMF for 24, 48, and 72 hours caused a significant decrease in viability in both U-118 MG glioblastoma cells and Hek-293 cells. The reduction in survival/viability was greater in U-118 MG cancer cells than in Hek-293 normal cells.

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2023

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionHarm

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Effects of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on glioblastoma cells (U -118 MG) Nowak-Terpiłowska A, Górski R, Marszałek M, Wosiński S, Przesmycki R, Bugaj M, Nowosielski L, Baranowski M, Zeyland J. Effects of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on glioblastoma cells (U -118 MG). Ann Agric Environ Med. 2023 Dec 22;30(4):763-772. Abstract Introduction and objective: Mobile phones and Wi-Fi are the most commonly used forms of telecommunications. Initiated with the first generation, the mobile telephony is currently in its fifth generation without being screened extensively for any biological effects that it may have on humans or on animals. Some studies indicate that high frequency electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phone and Wi-Fi connection can have a negative effect upon human health, and can cause cancer, including brain tumour. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of 2.4 GHz radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) on the proliferation and morphology of normal (human embryonic kidney cell line Hek-293) and cancer cells (glioblastoma cell line U-118 MG). Material and methods: The cell cultures were incubated in RF-EMF at the frequency of 2.4 GHz, with or without dielectric screen, for 24, 48 and 72h. In order to analyse the influence of the electromagnetic field on cell lines, Cytotoxicity test Cell Counting Kit-8 was performed. To protect cells against emission of the electromagnetic field, a dielectric screen was used. Results: It was found that 2.4 GHz RF electromagnetic field exposure caused a significant decrease in viability of U-118 MG and Hek-293 cells. The impact of the electromagnetic field was strongest in the case of cancer cells, and the decrease in their survival was much greater compared to the healthy (normal) cells of the Hek-293 line. Conclusions: Results of the study indicate that using a radio frequency electromagnetic field (2.4 GHz) has a clearly negative effect on the metabolic activity of glioblastoma cells. RF-EMF has much less impact on reducing the viability of normal cells (Hek -293) than cancer cells. Open access paper: aaem.pl glioblastoma-cells,176405,0,2.html

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionharm

PopulationCell cultures: glioblastoma cell line U-118 MG and normal human embryonic kidney cell line Hek-293

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 2400 MHz · 24, 48 and 72h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Cell viability/metabolic activity (Cell Counting Kit-8 cytotoxicity assay)
Cell proliferation
Cell morphology

Limitations

In vitro cell-line study; findings may not generalize to humans or animals
Specific exposure metrics (e.g., SAR, power density) not reported in the abstract
Sample size and replication details not reported in the abstract
Morphology/proliferation results not detailed in the abstract
Use and effect of dielectric screen not quantified in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "wi-fi",
    "frequency_mhz": 2400,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "24, 48 and 72h"
  },
  "population": "Cell cultures: glioblastoma cell line U-118 MG and normal human embryonic kidney cell line Hek-293",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell viability/metabolic activity (Cell Counting Kit-8 cytotoxicity assay)",
    "Cell proliferation",
    "Cell morphology"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to 2.4 GHz RF-EMF for 24, 48, and 72 hours caused a significant decrease in viability in both U-118 MG glioblastoma cells and Hek-293 cells. The reduction in survival/viability was greater in U-118 MG cancer cells than in Hek-293 normal cells.",
  "effect_direction": "harm",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell-line study; findings may not generalize to humans or animals",
    "Specific exposure metrics (e.g., SAR, power density) not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size and replication details not reported in the abstract",
    "Morphology/proliferation results not detailed in the abstract",
    "Use and effect of dielectric screen not quantified in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "2.4 GHz",
    "RF-EMF",
    "Wi-Fi",
    "mobile phones",
    "glioblastoma",
    "U-118 MG",
    "Hek-293",
    "cell viability",
    "metabolic activity",
    "Cell Counting Kit-8",
    "dielectric screen"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "school-wi-fi",
      "weight": 0.55,
      "reason": "Study examines biological effects of 2.4 GHz RF-EMF, a common Wi‑Fi frequency."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

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