Specifically Targeted Electromagnetic Fields Arrest Proliferation of Glioblastoma Multiforme U-87 Cells in Culture

Anticancer Res. 2018 Jun;38(6):3255-3266. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.12590.

Abstract

Background/aim: Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive primary tumor that arises in the glial cells of the brain. Standardized first-line treatment has considerable morbidity and less than one-year median survival after intervention. Ultra-low intensity electromagnetic fields have been shown to interact with biological organisms without anticipated deleterious side-effects. The aim of the study was to determine if a novel, non-invasive application of non-ionizing radiation has an inhibitory effect on proliferation of glioblastoma multiforme cells.

Materials and methods: U-87 MG cells were continuously exposed for 54 h to an electromagnetic field tuned to simultaneously interact with DNA/RNA oligonucleotides (mutated alpha-kinase 2 gene/Hsa-miR-381-5p respectively) and proteins (HSP70/CHI3L1).

Results: Exposed cells demonstrated a significant inhibition of cell growth and concurrent increase in cell death.

Conclusion: This technology induces cell death by novel non-cytotoxic mechanisms unlikely to induce side-effects in patients; can be customized for individual tumors and may contribute to the emerging strategy of personalized medicine.

Keywords: DNA Fragmentation; RGFields™; apoptosis; cell cycle; resonance; transcriptome.

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / genetics
  • Brain Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / radiation effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / radiation effects*
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Cell Survival / radiation effects
  • Electromagnetic Fields*
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / radiation effects
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / genetics
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / radiation effects*
  • Glioblastoma / genetics
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics

Substances

  • MIRN381 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs