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Cytotoxicity of carboplatin on human glioblastoma cells is reduced by exposure to ELF EMF (50 Hz, 70 G)

2018 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 2091

In U-87 human glioma cells, concomitant exposure to an ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 70 G) with carboplatin reduced the efficiency/cytotoxic effect of carboplatin compared with drug-only groups, with decreased caspase-3. The authors conclude that EMF reduced the apoptotic …

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018
Study typein_vitro
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Cytotoxicity of carboplatin on human glioblastoma cells is reduced by exposure to ELF EMF (50 Hz, 70 G) Amiri M, Basiri M, Eskandary H, Akbarnejad Z, Esmaeeli M, Masoumi-Ardakani Y, Ahmadi-Zeidabadi M. Cytotoxicity of carboplatin on human glioblastoma cells is reduced by the concomitant exposure to an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (50 Hz, 70 G). Electromagn Biol Med. 2018 May 30:1-8. doi: 10.1080/15368378.2018.1477052. Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a malignant brain cancer that causes high mortality in patients. GBM responds weakly to the common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy and even surgery. Carboplatin is an alkylating agent widely used to treat cancer. However, resistance to this drug is a common problem in its use in cancer treatment. Concomitant exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) and carboplatin is one unexplored possibility for overcoming this resistance. Indeed, many lines of evidence show that EMF affects cancer cells and drug action. In this study, we evaluated the effect of concomitant administration of carboplatin and EMF (50 Hz, 70 G) and also concomitant administration of carboplatin and static magnetic field (SMF) (70 G) on human glioma cell line (U-87). The results showed that cotreatment reduced the efficiency of carboplatin in U-87 cells, by decreasing caspase-3 in comparison to drug groups. Overall, EMF reduced the apoptotic effect of carboplatin, possibly through a redox regulation mechanism. Therefore, we have to avoid coadministration of magnetic field (MF) and carboplatin in tumor area, because the MF decreased the toxicity of the drug. However, further studies are needed to reveal the action mechanism of this combination therapeutic method. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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 directionmixed
PopulationHuman glioma/glioblastoma cell line U-87
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureELF · 5e-05 MHz
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In U-87 human glioma cells, concomitant exposure to an ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 70 G) with carboplatin reduced the efficiency/cytotoxic effect of carboplatin compared with drug-only groups, with decreased caspase-3. The authors conclude that EMF reduced the apoptotic effect of carboplatin; they also evaluated a static magnetic field (70 G) condition.

Outcomes measured

  • Carboplatin cytotoxicity/efficacy
  • Apoptosis
  • Caspase-3 (apoptosis marker)

Limitations

  • In vitro study (cell line model)
  • Exposure duration not reported in the abstract
  • Sample size and detailed methods not reported in the abstract
  • Mechanism described as possible; further studies needed
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "laboratory exposure (ELF-EMF) and static magnetic field",
    "frequency_mhz": 5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Human glioma/glioblastoma cell line U-87",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Carboplatin cytotoxicity/efficacy",
    "Apoptosis",
    "Caspase-3 (apoptosis marker)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In U-87 human glioma cells, concomitant exposure to an ELF-EMF (50 Hz, 70 G) with carboplatin reduced the efficiency/cytotoxic effect of carboplatin compared with drug-only groups, with decreased caspase-3. The authors conclude that EMF reduced the apoptotic effect of carboplatin; they also evaluated a static magnetic field (70 G) condition.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study (cell line model)",
    "Exposure duration not reported in the abstract",
    "Sample size and detailed methods not reported in the abstract",
    "Mechanism described as possible; further studies needed"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field",
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "70 G",
    "static magnetic field",
    "SMF",
    "carboplatin",
    "glioblastoma",
    "U-87",
    "apoptosis",
    "caspase-3",
    "cytotoxicity"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Study involves magnetic field exposure (ELF/SMF), though in a laboratory in vitro setting rather than a defined occupational cohort."
    }
  ]
}
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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: 10.1080/15368378.2018.1477052
PubMed: Not supplied

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