Low-energy amplitude-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as a systemic treatment for cancer: Review and proposed mechanisms of action

Front Med Technol · 2022 · Benefit · Low evidence

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BenefitLow evidencePaper 6744

Study snapshot

PublicationFront Med Technol · 2022

Study typereview

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Exposure to Low-Energy Amplitude-Modulated Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields (LEAMRFEMF) represents a new treatment option for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (AHCC). We focus on two medical devices that modulate the amplitude of a 27.12 MHz carrier wave to generate envelope waves in the low Hz to kHz range. Each provides systemic exposure to LEAMRFEMF via an intrabuccal antenna. This technology differs from so-called Tumour Treating Fields because it uses different frequency ranges, uses electromagnetic rather than electric fields, and delivers energy systemically rather than locally. The AutemDev also deploys patient-specific frequencies. LEAMRFEMF devices use 100-fold less power than mobile phones and have no thermal effects on tissue. Tumour type-specific or patient-specific treatment frequencies can be derived by measuring haemodynamic changes induced by exposure to LEAMRFEMF. These specific frequencies inhibited growth of human cancer cell lines in vitro and in mouse xenograft models. In uncontrolled prospective clinical trials in patients with AHCC, minorities of patients experienced complete or partial tumour responses. Pooled comparisons showed enhanced overall survival in treated patients compared to historical controls. Mild transient somnolence was the only notable treatment-related adverse event. We hypothesize that intracellular oscillations of charged macromolecules and ion flows couple resonantly with LEAMRFEMF. This resonant coupling appears to disrupt cell division and subcellular trafficking of mitochondria. We provide an estimate of the contribution of the electromagnetic effects to the overall energy balance of an exposed cell by calculating the power delivered to the cell, and the energy dissipated through the cell due to EMF induction of ionic flows along microtubules. We then compare this with total cellular metabolic energy production and conclude that energy delivered by LEAMRFEMF may provide a beneficial shift in cancer cell metabolism away from aberrant glycolysis. Further clinical research may confirm that LEAMRFEMF has therapeutic value in AHCC.

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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 typereview

Effect directionbenefit

Populationpatients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (AHCC)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureRF · 27.12 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

The review describes LEAMRFEMF devices using a 27.12 MHz carrier wave with low Hz–kHz envelope modulation delivered systemically via an intrabuccal antenna. It reports that tumor- or patient-specific frequencies inhibited growth in human cancer cell lines in vitro and in mouse xenograft models, and that in uncontrolled prospective clinical trials in AHCC a minority of patients had complete or partial responses with pooled comparisons suggesting improved overall survival versus historical controls; mild transient somnolence was the only notable treatment-related adverse event. The authors propose resonant coupling mechanisms affecting intracellular oscillations/ion flows, potentially disrupting cell division and mitochondrial trafficking and shifting cancer metabolism away from aberrant glycolysis.

Outcomes measured

tumor response (complete/partial)
overall survival
adverse events (somnolence)
in vitro cancer cell line growth inhibition
mouse xenograft tumor growth inhibition
proposed mechanisms (cell division disruption, mitochondrial trafficking, metabolism/glycolysis shift)

Limitations

Review article; clinical evidence described as uncontrolled prospective trials
Comparisons to historical controls (non-randomized)
Sample sizes not provided in abstract
Mechanisms are hypothesized/proposed rather than demonstrated in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": "medical device (intrabuccal antenna)",
    "frequency_mhz": 27.12,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (AHCC)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "tumor response (complete/partial)",
    "overall survival",
    "adverse events (somnolence)",
    "in vitro cancer cell line growth inhibition",
    "mouse xenograft tumor growth inhibition",
    "proposed mechanisms (cell division disruption, mitochondrial trafficking, metabolism/glycolysis shift)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The review describes LEAMRFEMF devices using a 27.12 MHz carrier wave with low Hz–kHz envelope modulation delivered systemically via an intrabuccal antenna. It reports that tumor- or patient-specific frequencies inhibited growth in human cancer cell lines in vitro and in mouse xenograft models, and that in uncontrolled prospective clinical trials in AHCC a minority of patients had complete or partial responses with pooled comparisons suggesting improved overall survival versus historical controls; mild transient somnolence was the only notable treatment-related adverse event. The authors propose resonant coupling mechanisms affecting intracellular oscillations/ion flows, potentially disrupting cell division and mitochondrial trafficking and shifting cancer metabolism away from aberrant glycolysis.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "Review article; clinical evidence described as uncontrolled prospective trials",
    "Comparisons to historical controls (non-randomized)",
    "Sample sizes not provided in abstract",
    "Mechanisms are hypothesized/proposed rather than demonstrated in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "LEAMRFEMF",
    "amplitude-modulated radiofrequency",
    "27.12 MHz",
    "intrabuccal antenna",
    "advanced hepatocellular carcinoma",
    "systemic exposure",
    "in vitro",
    "mouse xenograft",
    "uncontrolled prospective clinical trials",
    "overall survival",
    "tumor response",
    "somnolence",
    "mechanism",
    "microtubules",
    "mitochondria",
    "glycolysis"
  ],
  "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: 10.3389/fmedt.2022.869155
PubMed: 36157082

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