Selective induction of rapid cytotoxic effect in glioblastoma cells by oscillating magnetic fields

Journal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2021 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 1071

Oscillating magnetic fields (OMF) induced selective cell death in patient-derived glioblastoma cells associated with caspase 3 activation, while normal human cortical neurons, astrocytes, and bronchial epithelial cells were reported as undamaged. Cytotoxic ef…

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of cancer research and clinical oncology · 2021

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Selective induction of rapid cytotoxic effect in glioblastoma cells by oscillating magnetic fields Helekar SA, Hambarde S, Ijare OB, Pichumani K, Baskin DS, Sharpe MA. Selective induction of rapid cytotoxic effect in glioblastoma cells by oscillating magnetic fields. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2021 Sep 3. doi: 10.1007/s00432-021-03787-0. Abstract Purpose: The mechanisms underlying anticancer effects of electromagnetic fields are poorly understood. An alternating electric field-generating therapeutic device called Optune™ device has been approved for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). We have developed a new device that generates oscillating magnetic fields (OMF) by rapid rotation of strong permanent magnets in specially designed patterns of frequency and timing and have used it to treat an end-stage recurrent GBM patient under an expanded access/compassionate use treatment protocol. Here, we ask whether OMF causes selective cytotoxic effects in GBM and whether it is through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Methods: We stimulated patient derived GBM cells, lung cancer cells, normal human cortical neurons, astrocytes, and bronchial epithelial cells using OMF generators (oncoscillators) of our Oncomagnetic Device and compared the results to those obtained under unstimulated or sham-stimulated control conditions. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy was used to assess cell morphology, viability, and ROS production mechanisms. Results: We find that OMF induces highly selective cell death of patient derived GBM cells associated with activation of caspase 3, while leaving normal tissue cells undamaged. The cytotoxic effect of OMF is also seen in pulmonary cancer cells. The underlying mechanism is a marked increase in ROS in the mitochondria, possibly in part through perturbation of the electron flow in the respiratory chain. Conclusion: Rotating magnetic fields produced by a new noninvasive device selectively kill cultured human glioblastoma and non-small cell lung cancer cells by raising intracellular reactive oxygen species, but not normal human tissue cells. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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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 directionbenefit

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

cell viability/cell death
cell morphology
caspase 3 activation
reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (mitochondrial)

Limitations

In vitro cell culture study; clinical outcomes not assessed in this report
Exposure parameters (e.g., field strength, frequency, duration) not provided in the abstract
Sample sizes and number of replicates not reported in the abstract
Mechanistic interpretation described as 'possibly' involving respiratory chain perturbation

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "oscillating magnetic fields (rotating permanent magnets; Oncomagnetic Device/oncoscillators)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "cell viability/cell death",
    "cell morphology",
    "caspase 3 activation",
    "reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (mitochondrial)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Oscillating magnetic fields (OMF) induced selective cell death in patient-derived glioblastoma cells associated with caspase 3 activation, while normal human cortical neurons, astrocytes, and bronchial epithelial cells were reported as undamaged. Cytotoxic effects were also observed in pulmonary cancer cells and were associated with increased mitochondrial ROS.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell culture study; clinical outcomes not assessed in this report",
    "Exposure parameters (e.g., field strength, frequency, duration) not provided in the abstract",
    "Sample sizes and number of replicates not reported in the abstract",
    "Mechanistic interpretation described as 'possibly' involving respiratory chain perturbation"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "oscillating magnetic fields",
    "rotating magnetic fields",
    "glioblastoma",
    "non-small cell lung cancer",
    "cytotoxicity",
    "caspase 3",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "mitochondria",
    "Oncomagnetic Device",
    "oncoscillators",
    "Optune"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "cancer-therapy-emf",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Study evaluates anticancer effects of oscillating magnetic fields on glioblastoma and lung cancer cells."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1007/s00432-021-03787-0
PubMed: 34477946

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