Non-thermal effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields

Authors: Peter Wust, Benedikt Kortüm, Ulf Strauss, Jacek Nadobny, Sebastian Zschaeck, Marcus Beck, Ulrike Stein, Pirus Ghadjar

Year: 2020 Aug 10

Category: Biophysics

Journal: Sci Rep

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69561-3

URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7417565/

Abstract

Overview

This study investigates the non-thermal effects of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields, particularly focusing on a theoretical framework to understand their electrophysiological mechanisms.

Findings

The research utilized a preclinical treatment device on human colon cancer cell lines HT-29 and SW480. Two different methods were compared:

  • Water bath heating (WB-HT)
  • 13.56 MHz RF hyperthermia (RF-HT)

The study found that RF-HT significantly reduced cell proliferation and clonogenicity in comparison to WB-HT. An electrical model for cell membranes and ion channels was utilized to analyze and estimate ion fluxes.

Conclusion

The results suggest that RF-HT leads to reduced cancer cell proliferation and clonogenic behavior, potentially due to significant ion fluxes caused by the RF electric fields. Such findings highlight additional non-thermal effects of RF treatment which could be crucial in enhancing cancer therapy.

radiofrequency electromagnetic fields cancer therapy ion fluxes non-thermal effects
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