Effect of magnetic fields on tumor growth and viability.

Comparative medicine · 2011 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 3240

In mice injected with breast cancer cells, exposure to magnetic fields for 360 minutes daily for up to 4 weeks suppressed tumor growth, as monitored by an in vivo imaging system.

Study snapshot

PublicationComparative medicine · 2011

Study typeanimal

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common nonskin cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Most methods of intervention involve combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, and ionizing radiation. Both chemotherapy and ionizing radiation can be effective against many types of cancer, but they also harm normal tissues. The use of nonionizing, magnetic fields has shown early promise in a number of in vitro and animal studies. Our study tested the effect of varying durations of magnetic exposure on tumor growth and viability in mice injected with breast cancer cells. Cancer cells were labeled through stable expression of firefly luciferase for monitoring of tumor growth and progression by using an in vivo imaging system. We hypothesized that magnetic field exposure would influence tumor growth and progression. Our results showed that exposure of the mice to magnetic fields for 360 min daily for as long as 4 wk suppressed tumor growth. Our study is unique in that it uses an in vivo imaging system to monitor the growth and progression of tumors in real time in individual mice. Our findings support further exploration of the potential of magnetic fields in cancer therapeutics, either as adjunct or primary therapy.

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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 typeanimal

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationMice injected with breast cancer cells (luciferase-labeled)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposure360 min daily for as long as 4 wk (varied durations mentioned)

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In mice injected with breast cancer cells, exposure to magnetic fields for 360 minutes daily for up to 4 weeks suppressed tumor growth, as monitored by an in vivo imaging system.

Outcomes measured

Tumor growth
Tumor viability
Tumor progression (in vivo imaging)

Limitations

Magnetic field parameters (e.g., intensity, frequency) not reported in abstract
Sample size not reported in abstract
Details on comparison/control conditions not reported in abstract
Tumor viability results not described in detail in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "magnetic field exposure",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "360 min daily for as long as 4 wk (varied durations mentioned)"
  },
  "population": "Mice injected with breast cancer cells (luciferase-labeled)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Tumor growth",
    "Tumor viability",
    "Tumor progression (in vivo imaging)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In mice injected with breast cancer cells, exposure to magnetic fields for 360 minutes daily for up to 4 weeks suppressed tumor growth, as monitored by an in vivo imaging system.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Magnetic field parameters (e.g., intensity, frequency) not reported in abstract",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Details on comparison/control conditions not reported in abstract",
    "Tumor viability results not described in detail in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "magnetic fields",
    "nonionizing",
    "breast cancer",
    "mouse model",
    "tumor growth",
    "tumor viability",
    "in vivo imaging",
    "luciferase"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "animal-studies",
      "weight": 0.9,
      "reason": "Mouse tumor model evaluating magnetic field exposure effects on tumor growth."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 22330249

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