Non-thermal membrane effects of electromagnetic fields and therapeutic applications in oncology.

International journal of hyperthermia : the official journal of European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology, North American Hyperthermia Group · 2021 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5694

Study snapshot

PublicationInternational journal of hyperthermia : the official journal of European Society for Hyperthermic Oncology, North American Hyperthermia Group · 2021

Study typereview

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The temperature-independent effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been controversial for decades. Here, we critically analyze the available literature on non-thermal effects of radiofrequency (RF) and microwave EMF. We present a literature review of preclinical and clinical data on non-thermal antiproliferative effects of various EMF applications, including conventional RF hyperthermia (HT, cRF-HT). Further, we suggest and evaluate plausible biophysical and electrophysiological models to decipher non-thermal antiproliferative membrane effects. Available preclinical and clinical data provide sufficient evidence for the existence of non-thermal antiproliferative effects of exposure to cRF-HT, and in particular, amplitude modulated (AM)-RF-HT. In our model, transmembrane ion channels function like RF rectifiers and low-pass filters. cRF-HT induces ion fluxes and AM-RF-HT additionally promotes membrane vibrations at specific resonance frequencies, which explains the non-thermal antiproliferative membrane effects ion disequilibrium (especially of Ca) and/or resonances causing membrane depolarization, the opening of certain (especially Ca) channels, or even hole formation. AM-RF-HT may be tumor-specific owing to cancer-specific ion channels and because, with increasing malignancy, membrane elasticity parameters may differ from that in normal tissues. Published literature suggests that non-thermal antiproliferative effects of cRF-HT are likely to exist and could present a high potential to improve future treatments in oncology.

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 typereview

Effect directionbenefit

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

This review critically analyzes literature on non-thermal effects of RF and microwave EMF, focusing on preclinical and clinical data for non-thermal antiproliferative effects from conventional RF hyperthermia (cRF-HT) and amplitude-modulated RF hyperthermia (AM-RF-HT). The authors state that available preclinical and clinical data provide sufficient evidence for non-thermal antiproliferative effects with cRF-HT, particularly AM-RF-HT, and propose biophysical models involving transmembrane ion channels, ion fluxes (especially Ca), and membrane vibrations/resonances.

Outcomes measured

Non-thermal antiproliferative effects
Membrane effects (ion fluxes/ion disequilibrium, membrane depolarization, channel opening, hole formation)
Potential therapeutic applications in oncology

Limitations

Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration parameters are not provided in the abstract.
Conclusions are based on a literature review; specific study designs, effect sizes, and quality assessments are not described in the abstract.
Mechanistic models are proposed/suggested rather than directly demonstrated in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "therapeutic RF hyperthermia (cRF-HT; AM-RF-HT)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Non-thermal antiproliferative effects",
    "Membrane effects (ion fluxes/ion disequilibrium, membrane depolarization, channel opening, hole formation)",
    "Potential therapeutic applications in oncology"
  ],
  "main_findings": "This review critically analyzes literature on non-thermal effects of RF and microwave EMF, focusing on preclinical and clinical data for non-thermal antiproliferative effects from conventional RF hyperthermia (cRF-HT) and amplitude-modulated RF hyperthermia (AM-RF-HT). The authors state that available preclinical and clinical data provide sufficient evidence for non-thermal antiproliferative effects with cRF-HT, particularly AM-RF-HT, and propose biophysical models involving transmembrane ion channels, ion fluxes (especially Ca), and membrane vibrations/resonances.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Frequency, SAR, and exposure duration parameters are not provided in the abstract.",
    "Conclusions are based on a literature review; specific study designs, effect sizes, and quality assessments are not described in the abstract.",
    "Mechanistic models are proposed/suggested rather than directly demonstrated in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "non-thermal effects",
    "radiofrequency",
    "microwave",
    "hyperthermia",
    "amplitude modulation",
    "membrane effects",
    "ion channels",
    "calcium",
    "antiproliferative",
    "oncology"
  ],
  "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: 10.1080/02656736.2021.1914354
PubMed: 33910472

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