The role of 217-Hz ELF magnetic fields emitted from GSM mobile phones on electrochemotherapy mechanisms

Authors: Mansourian M, Firoozabadi M, Hassan ZM

Year: 2020 May 15

Category: Biomedical Engineering

Journal: Electromagn Biol Med

Institution: Electromagn Biol Med

DOI: 10.1080/15368378.2020.1762635

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32410511

Abstract

Overview

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) combines electric pulses (EPs) and an anticancer drug to treat cancer. This study explores the impact of 217-Hz magnetic fields (MFs), typical of those emitted by GSM900 mobile phones, on the mechanisms of ECT.

Methodology

  • In vitro analysis of 4T1 cells exposed to extremely low-frequency (ELF)-MFs at varying intensities (93, 120, or 159 µT) using Helmholtz coils. Cells were subjected to different treatments including chemotherapy, EPs, and ECT.
  • In vivo experiments on mice with 4T1 tumor cells, exposed to ELF-MFs for 10 min/day until tumor diameter reached 8 mm, followed by ECT treatment.

Findings

  • Significant decrease in ECT efficacy was observed in vitro with a flux density of 93 µT under the conditions of 60 V/cm and 5 kHz.
  • Pre-exposure to ELF-MFs enhanced tumor hypoxia induced by ECT and significantly increased the ratio of interferon-γ/interleukin-4 in comparison to ECT alone.

Conclusion

The study indicates a potential adverse impact of ELF-MFs on cancer treatment efficacy and suggests a deeper investigation into how ELF-MFs influence ECT. More research is needed to assess the overall effects on tumor volume and treatment outcomes.

electrochemotherapy cancer treatment ELF magnetic fields GSM mobile phones tumor hypoxia immune response in vivo experiments
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