Pivotal Factors in Breast Cancer Molecular Subtypes Apoptosis Induction by ELF-EMF; Ki-67, ROS Level, HER-2, and SODs

Breast J · 2026 · Benefit · Low evidence

← Research stream

BenefitLow evidencePaper 6907

Exposure to a 1 Hz, 100 mT ELF-EMF increased ROS in all three breast cancer cell lines and induced the greatest apoptosis in SKBR-3 cells (about 78% versus 22% or 11% in the other lines). Antioxidant gene expression increased in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells but…

Study snapshot

PublicationBreast J · 2026

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionBenefit

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Background: Although increasing research has shown that extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) specifically trigger PCD through the elevation of ROS levels in cancer cells, there is no adequate evidence to determine the exact mechanisms of this phenomenon. The antioxidant machinery may play a crucial role in this area; however, this has been neglected in previous research. Methods: The main aim of this study was to assess the effect of ELF-EMF exposure (5 days, 1 Hz, 100 mT, 2 h/day) on ROS levels, expression levels of antioxidant genes, and apoptosis induction in different breast cancer molecular subtypes with different p53 statuses. Results: DCFH-DA results revealed that the ROS level increased in all three cell lines (SKBR-3, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-7); this increase was much greater in SKBR-3 (up to 5-fold compared to its sham exposure). This result was concurrent with the annexin V/PI results; SKBR-3 cells showed much more apoptosis induction (about 78%), compared with the others (22% or 11% in the other two cells). On the other hand, the mRNA expression level of SOD1 and SOD2 increased significantly in the MDA-MB-231, in addition to these two genes, the expression level of SOD3 and GSR increased in the MCF-7 cells but not in the SKBR-3. Conclusion: Taken together, our results confirmed that ELF-EMF induced ROS-dependent apoptosis, especially in HER-2-enriched breast cancer cells (the SKBR-3), in a p53-independent manner. Other molecular subtypes (MDA-MB-231 as TNBC, or MCF-7 as luminal A) showed resistance against the ROS level increasing and subsequent apoptosis induction by using antioxidant genes, especially SOD1.

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 SKBR-3 (HER-2-enriched), MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative), and MCF-7 (luminal A)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 1e-06 MHz · 5 days, 2 hours/day

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 96% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Reactive oxygen species levels
Apoptosis measured by annexin V/PI
SOD1, SOD2, SOD3, and GSR mRNA expression

Limitations

In vitro cell-line study without clinical or in vivo outcomes
Sample and replicate numbers were not reported in the abstract
Only one exposure intensity, frequency, and schedule were described

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 1e-06,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "5 days, 2 hours/day"
  },
  "population": "Human breast cancer cell lines SKBR-3 (HER-2-enriched), MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative), and MCF-7 (luminal A)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Reactive oxygen species levels",
    "Apoptosis measured by annexin V/PI",
    "SOD1, SOD2, SOD3, and GSR mRNA expression"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Exposure to a 1 Hz, 100 mT ELF-EMF increased ROS in all three breast cancer cell lines and induced the greatest apoptosis in SKBR-3 cells (about 78% versus 22% or 11% in the other lines). Antioxidant gene expression increased in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells but not SKBR-3 cells, supporting subtype-dependent, ROS-associated apoptosis.",
  "effect_direction": "benefit",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro cell-line study without clinical or in vivo outcomes",
    "Sample and replicate numbers were not reported in the abstract",
    "Only one exposure intensity, frequency, and schedule were described"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.96,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "ELF-EMF",
    "breast cancer",
    "apoptosis",
    "reactive oxygen species",
    "HER-2",
    "SKBR-3",
    "MDA-MB-231",
    "MCF-7",
    "SOD1",
    "SOD2",
    "SOD3",
    "GSR",
    "p53"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

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: 10.1155/tbj/9572421
PubMed: 42467070

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library