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Moderate Static Magnet Fields Suppress Ovarian Cancer Metastasis via ROS-Mediated Oxidative Stress
Chao Song1,2, Biao Yu1,2, Junjun Wang1
1High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China.
Abstract:
Metastasis is the leading cause of cancer patient death, which is closely correlated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. It is well known that the effects of ROS on tumors are diverse, depending on ROS concentration and cell type. We found that ovarian cancer cells have significantly lower levels of ROS than normal ovarian cells. Moreover, increased ROS levels in ovarian cancer cells can substantially inhibit their migration and invasion ability. Furthermore, the results show that moderate static magnetic field (SMF) can inhibit ovarian cancer cell migration, invasion, and stemness in a ROS-dependent manner. RNA sequencing results confirm that SMFs increased the oxidative stress level and reduced the stemness of ovarian cancer cells. Consistently, the expressions of stemness-related genes were significantly decreased, including hyaluronan receptor (CD44), SRY-box transcription factor 2 (Sox2), and cell myc proto-oncogene protein (C-myc). Furthermore, moderate SMFs provided by a superconducting magnet and permanent magnet have good biosafety and can both inhibit ovarian cancer metastasis in mice. Therefore, our study demonstrates the effects of SMFs on oxidative stress and metastasis in the ovarian cancer cells, which reveals the potential of applying SMF as a physical method in cancer therapy in the future.
Insights
Static magnetic fields (SMFs) can inhibit ovarian cancer metastasis by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. This study shows SMFs reduce cancer cell migration, invasion, and stemness, offering potential as a novel physical therapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biophysics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Metastasis, a major cause of cancer mortality, is linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.
- ROS concentration and cell type influence tumor behavior, with ovarian cancer cells exhibiting lower ROS than normal cells.
- Elevated ROS can inhibit ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on ovarian cancer metastasis.
- To explore the role of ROS in SMF-mediated inhibition of ovarian cancer progression.
- To assess the potential of SMF as a physical therapy for ovarian cancer.
Main Methods:
- Ovarian cancer cell lines were treated with moderate static magnetic fields (SMFs).
- ROS levels, cell migration, invasion, and stemness were assessed.
- RNA sequencing was performed to analyze gene expression changes.
- In vivo studies in mice were conducted to evaluate SMF efficacy and biosafety.
Main Results:
- Moderate SMFs inhibited ovarian cancer cell migration, invasion, and stemness in a ROS-dependent manner.
- SMFs increased oxidative stress and reduced stemness markers, including CD44, Sox2, and C-myc.
- Both superconducting and permanent magnets demonstrated biosafety and inhibited ovarian cancer metastasis in mice.
Conclusions:
- Static magnetic fields show potential for inhibiting ovarian cancer metastasis.
- SMF's therapeutic effect is mediated through increased oxidative stress and reduced cancer stemness.
- SMF represents a promising physical therapeutic approach for ovarian cancer treatment.
