Selective potentiation of gynecologic cancer cell growth in vitro by electromagnetic fields.

Gynecologic oncology · 1998 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5381

Continuous EMF exposure at 2 G enhanced proliferation in two prostate and three endometrial cancer cell lines, and in only one ovarian cancer cell line, compared with sham controls. EMF increased metabolic activity within 96 h and increased absolute cell numb…

Study snapshot

PublicationGynecologic oncology · 1998

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological data suggest that exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) may increase the risk of various cancers. We evaluated EMF effects on the in vitro growth response of human cell lines isolated from various reproductive tract tissues. We also assessed the effects of EMF on cisplatin- or paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity. METHODS: Endometrial, ovarian, and prostate cancer cell lines as well as immortalized endometrial stromal cells and immortalized ovarian epithelial cells were exposed continually to EMF. Proliferation was assessed by the metabolic activity assay, MTT, direct cell counting, and anchorage-independent colony formation in soft agar. Cytotoxicity induced by cisplatin or paclitaxel was assessed using the MTT assay. RESULTS: Continuous exposure to EMF at field strengths of 2 G enhanced proliferation of two human prostate and three endometrial, but only one ovarian, cancer cell lines. EMF enhanced metabolic activity of cancer cells within 96 h and increased absolute cell number (anchorage-dependent proliferation) and colony-forming efficiency (anchorage-independent proliferation) over sham-treated controls. EMF had no effect on cytotoxicity induced by the chemotherapeutic agents Taxol or cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous exposure to EMF can enhance growth rates of transformed cells for some human epithelial cancers. Cancer cells from the steroid sex hormone regulated tissues of endometrium and prostate appeared to be more responsive to EMF than cells from ovarian cancers.

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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 directionmixed

PopulationHuman cancer and immortalized cell lines (endometrial, ovarian, prostate; immortalized endometrial stromal and ovarian epithelial cells)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposurecontinuous exposure; effects observed within 96 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Cell proliferation (metabolic activity/MTT, direct cell counting)
Anchorage-independent colony formation in soft agar
Chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity (cisplatin, paclitaxel/Taxol; MTT assay)

Limitations

Frequency and other exposure parameters beyond field strength (2 G) not reported in abstract
Number of cell lines and replication details not provided
In vitro findings may not translate to in vivo or human health outcomes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "continuous exposure; effects observed within 96 h"
  },
  "population": "Human cancer and immortalized cell lines (endometrial, ovarian, prostate; immortalized endometrial stromal and ovarian epithelial cells)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell proliferation (metabolic activity/MTT, direct cell counting)",
    "Anchorage-independent colony formation in soft agar",
    "Chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity (cisplatin, paclitaxel/Taxol; MTT assay)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Continuous EMF exposure at 2 G enhanced proliferation in two prostate and three endometrial cancer cell lines, and in only one ovarian cancer cell line, compared with sham controls. EMF increased metabolic activity within 96 h and increased absolute cell number and colony-forming efficiency. EMF had no effect on cisplatin- or paclitaxel-induced cytotoxicity.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency and other exposure parameters beyond field strength (2 G) not reported in abstract",
    "Number of cell lines and replication details not provided",
    "In vitro findings may not translate to in vivo or human health outcomes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "EMF",
    "in vitro",
    "cell proliferation",
    "endometrial cancer",
    "ovarian cancer",
    "prostate cancer",
    "MTT assay",
    "soft agar",
    "cisplatin",
    "paclitaxel",
    "Taxol"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1006/gyno.1998.5114
PubMed: 9784321

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