Synergistic cytotoxic effects of an extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field with doxorubicin on MCF-7 cell line.

Scientific reports · 2023 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 5791

Study snapshot

PublicationScientific reports · 2023

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Magnetic fields have shown anti-tumor effects in vitro and in vivo as a non-invasive therapy method that can affect cellular metabolism remotely. Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most commonly used drugs for treating breast cancer patients. It can be assumed that combining chemotherapy and magnetotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the potential cytotoxic effect of DOX at low concentrations in combination with extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF; 50 Hz; 20 mT). The breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was examined for oxidative stress, cell cycle, and apoptosis. MCF-7 cells were treated with various concentrations of DOX as an apoptosis-inducing agent and ELF-EMF. Cytotoxicity was examined using the MTT colorimetric assay at 12, 24, and 48 h. Consequently, concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity was observed in MCF-7 cells for DOX within 24 h. The MTT assay results used showed that a 2 μM concentration of DOX reduced cell viability to 50% compared with control, and as well, the combination of ELF-EMF and DOX reduced cell viability to 50% compared with control at > 0.25 μM doses for 24 h. In MCF-7 cells, combining 0.25 μM DOX with ELF-EMF resulted in increased ROS levels and DOX-induced apoptosis. Flow cytometry analysis, on the other hand, revealed enhanced arrest of MCF-7 cells in the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle, as well as inducing apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells, implying that the synergistic effects of 0.25 μM DOX and ELF-EMF may represent a novel and effective agent against breast cancer.

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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 directionbenefit

PopulationMCF-7 breast cancer cell line

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 5e-05 MHz · 12, 24, and 48 h (cytotoxicity assessed at these timepoints); key results reported at 24 h

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

MCF-7 cells exposed to ELF-EMF (50 Hz; 20 mT) in combination with doxorubicin showed reduced viability compared with control at lower doxorubicin concentrations than doxorubicin alone (viability reduced to 50% at >0.25 μM DOX with ELF-EMF vs 2 μM DOX alone at 24 h). The combination of 0.25 μM DOX with ELF-EMF increased ROS levels, enhanced G0-G1 cell-cycle arrest, and induced apoptotic cell death.

Outcomes measured

Cell viability (MTT assay)
Oxidative stress / ROS levels
Apoptosis
Cell cycle distribution (G0-G1 arrest)

Limitations

In vitro study in a single breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).
No sample size or replication details provided in the abstract.
Exposure conditions beyond frequency and field strength (e.g., exposure setup, intermittency) not described in the abstract.
Findings relate to combined treatment with doxorubicin; effects of ELF-EMF alone are not clearly reported in the abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "magnetic field exposure (ELF-EMF)",
    "frequency_mhz": 5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "12, 24, and 48 h (cytotoxicity assessed at these timepoints); key results reported at 24 h"
  },
  "population": "MCF-7 breast cancer cell line",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Cell viability (MTT assay)",
    "Oxidative stress / ROS levels",
    "Apoptosis",
    "Cell cycle distribution (G0-G1 arrest)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "MCF-7 cells exposed to ELF-EMF (50 Hz; 20 mT) in combination with doxorubicin showed reduced viability compared with control at lower doxorubicin concentrations than doxorubicin alone (viability reduced to 50% at >0.25 μM DOX with ELF-EMF vs 2 μM DOX alone at 24 h). The combination of 0.25 μM DOX with ELF-EMF increased ROS levels, enhanced G0-G1 cell-cycle arrest, and induced apoptotic cell death.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study in a single breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).",
    "No sample size or replication details provided in the abstract.",
    "Exposure conditions beyond frequency and field strength (e.g., exposure setup, intermittency) not described in the abstract.",
    "Findings relate to combined treatment with doxorubicin; effects of ELF-EMF alone are not clearly reported in the abstract."
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "50 Hz",
    "20 mT",
    "magnetic field",
    "doxorubicin",
    "MCF-7",
    "breast cancer",
    "synergy",
    "cytotoxicity",
    "ROS",
    "apoptosis",
    "cell cycle"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "el f-therapy-cancer",
      "weight": 0.62,
      "reason": "In vitro study evaluating ELF-EMF as an adjunct to chemotherapy with anti-tumor/cytotoxic outcomes."
    }
  ]
}

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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: 10.1038/s41598-023-35767-4
PubMed: 37258563

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