Effect of extremely low frequency electromagnetic field parameters on the proliferation of human breast cancer.

Electromagnetic biology and medicine · 2021 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5704

Study snapshot

PublicationElectromagnetic biology and medicine · 2021

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposures influence many biological systems. These effects are mainly related to the intensity, duration, frequency, and pattern of the ELF-EMF. Our intent was to characterize the effect of specific pulsed electromagnetic fields on the in vitro proliferation of MCF-7 adenocarcinoma and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines and one non-cancerous M10 breast epithelial cell line. The following four important parameters of ELF-EMF were examined: frequencies (7.83 ± 0.3, 23.49 ± 0.3, and 39.15 ± 0.3 Hz), flux density (0.5 and 1 mT), exposure duration (12, 24, and 48 h), and the exposure methodology (continuous exposure versus switching exposure). The viability of MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to the optimized ELF-EMF pattern (7.83 ± 0.3 Hz, 1 mT, and 6 h switching exposure) was 40.1%. By contrast, the optimized ELF-EMF parameters that were most cytotoxic to breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were not damaging to normal M10 cells. In vitro studies also showed that exposure of MDA-MB-231 cells to the optimized ELF-EMF pattern promoted Ca influx and resulted in apoptosis. These data confirm that exposure to this specific ELF-EMF pattern can influence cellular processes and inhibit cancer cell growth. The specific ELF-EMF pattern determined in this study may provide a potential anti-cancer treatment in the future.

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 directionbenefit

PopulationHuman breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and non-cancerous breast epithelial cell line (M10) in vitro

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 12, 24, and 48 h (tested); optimized pattern included 6 h switching exposure

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Pulsed ELF-EMF parameters (frequency, flux density, duration, and exposure methodology) were evaluated for effects on in vitro proliferation/viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and M10 normal breast epithelial cells. An optimized switching exposure pattern (7.83 ± 0.3 Hz, 1 mT, 6 h switching exposure) reduced MDA-MB-231 cell viability to 40.1% and was reported as not damaging to M10 cells; in MDA-MB-231 cells it promoted Ca influx and resulted in apoptosis.

Outcomes measured

Cell proliferation/viability
Cytotoxicity to cancer vs normal cells
Calcium (Ca) influx
Apoptosis

Limitations

In vitro cell-line study; findings may not translate to in vivo or clinical outcomes
Sample size/replication and statistical details not provided in abstract
Exposure source/device and detailed dosimetry beyond frequency/flux density not described in abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "12, 24, and 48 h (tested); optimized pattern included 6 h switching exposure"
  },
  "population": "Human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) and non-cancerous breast epithelial cell line (M10) in vitro",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell proliferation/viability",
    "Cytotoxicity to cancer vs normal cells",
    "Calcium (Ca) influx",
    "Apoptosis"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Pulsed ELF-EMF parameters (frequency, flux density, duration, and exposure methodology) were evaluated for effects on in vitro proliferation/viability of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and M10 normal breast epithelial cells. An optimized switching exposure pattern (7.83 ± 0.3 Hz, 1 mT, 6 h switching exposure) reduced MDA-MB-231 cell viability to 40.1% and was reported as not damaging to M10 cells; in MDA-MB-231 cells it promoted Ca influx and resulted in apoptosis.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell-line study; findings may not translate to in vivo or clinical outcomes",
    "Sample size/replication and statistical details not provided in abstract",
    "Exposure source/device and detailed dosimetry beyond frequency/flux density not described in abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "pulsed electromagnetic field",
    "breast cancer",
    "MCF-7",
    "MDA-MB-231",
    "M10",
    "frequency",
    "flux density",
    "switching exposure",
    "cell viability",
    "calcium influx",
    "apoptosis"
  ],
  "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: 10.1080/15368378.2021.1891093
PubMed: 33632057

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