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Determining the Optimal Inhibitory Frequency for Cancerous Cells Using Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)
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Involvement of midkine expression in the inhibitory effects of low-frequency magnetic fields on cancer cells

Tingting Wang1, Yunzhong Nie, Shuli Zhao

  • 1Immunology and Reproduction Biology Lab, Medical School and State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.

Bioelectromagnetics
|March 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Low-frequency magnetic fields (MFs) inhibit proliferation in several cancer cell lines. Midkine (MK) expression influences MF effects, suggesting a role in tumor growth inhibition.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Cancer cell gene expression varies, impacting responses to external stimuli.
  • The influence of magnetic fields (MFs) on cancer cells with differing gene expression profiles remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of a specific low-frequency MF on various cancer cell lines.
  • To evaluate the role of midkine (MK) expression in mediating the cellular response to MF exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Six cancer cell lines (BGC-823, MKN-45, MKN-28, A549, SPC-A1, LOVO) were exposed to a 0.4-T, 7.5 Hz MF.
  • Cell proliferation (CCK-8 assay), cell cycle (flow cytometry), and ultrastructure (transmission electron microscopy) were analyzed.
  • BGC-823 cells with induced MK overexpression (BGC-MK) were generated.

Main Results:

  • The MF inhibited proliferation in BGC-823, MKN-28, A549, and LOVO cells, with varying sensitivity.
  • MF exposure resulted in a higher inhibitory effect on BGC-823 cells (20.3%) compared to BGC-MK cells (12.3%).
  • MF exposure increased the S phase in BGC-823 cells but not in BGC-MK cells, and altered organelle morphology.

Conclusions:

  • A 0.4-T, 7.5 Hz MF can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and disrupt the cell cycle.
  • Altered midkine (MK) expression in cancer cells may modulate the inhibitory effects of MFs, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.

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