[Shockwave cytotoxicity on neoplastic and non-neoplastic cells]

Since initial application of high-energy shockwaves to treat renal lithiasis, their usefulness has been extended within both the clinical and experimental fields. Shockwaves cytotoxic action is determined by means of cell viability methods of vital staining exclusion and nucleoside uptake. Application of shockwaves on cell cultures is carried out by means of an electromagnetic lithotripter. High-energy shockwaves have had cytotoxic action both on non-tumoral and tumoral cells, during "in vitro" experiments. The cytotoxicity produced by the shockwaves, however, is different in tumoral and non-tumoral cells, the viability inhibition being higher in tumoral cells.