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Exposure of mcf-7 breast cancer cells to electromagnetic fields up-regulates the plasminogen activator system

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Authors not listed · 2009

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Power line frequency EMF at household levels increased breast cancer cell proteins that promote metastasis.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

German researchers exposed MCF-7 breast cancer cells to 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at 1.2 microTesla (similar to power line EMF). The EMF exposure significantly increased expression of genes that help cancer cells spread and metastasize. This suggests that common household electromagnetic fields could potentially make existing breast cancers more aggressive.

Why This Matters

This study reveals a disturbing mechanism by which everyday EMF exposure might accelerate cancer progression. The researchers found that 50 Hz fields at just 1.2 microTesla dramatically increased urokinase plasminogen activator and plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 expression in breast cancer cells. These proteins are key players in metastasis, helping cancer cells break down tissue barriers and spread throughout the body. What makes this particularly concerning is the exposure level. At 1.2 microTesla, this EMF strength is well within the range you encounter from household appliances, power lines, and electrical wiring. Many homes exceed this level near electrical panels, major appliances, or power lines. The researchers concluded that EMFs 'may be able to increase the metastatic potential of breast tumors.' While this was an in vitro study using cultured cells, it provides a plausible biological mechanism for epidemiological findings linking EMF exposure to increased breast cancer risk and progression.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 50 Hz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 50 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2009). Exposure of mcf-7 breast cancer cells to electromagnetic fields up-regulates the plasminogen activator system.
Show BibTeX
@article{exposure_of_mcf_7_breast_cancer_cells_to_electromagnetic_fields_up_regulates_the_plasminogen_activator_system_ce1401,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Exposure of mcf-7 breast cancer cells to electromagnetic fields up-regulates the plasminogen activator system},
  year = {2009},
  doi = {10.1111/IGC.0b013e31819f53ec},
  
}
DOI: 10.1111/IGC.0b013e31819f53ecPubMed: 19407555

Quick Questions About This Study

This study found that 50 Hz electromagnetic fields at 1.2 microTesla increased expression of proteins that help breast cancer cells spread and metastasize, suggesting EMF exposure could potentially make existing breast cancers more aggressive.
The study used 1.2 microTesla EMF exposure, which is within the range commonly found near household appliances, electrical panels, and power lines. This relatively low exposure level was sufficient to alter cancer cell gene expression.
EMF exposure markedly increased urokinase plasminogen activator and plasminogen-activator inhibitor-1 expression in breast cancer cells. These proteins are part of the plasminogen activator system that helps cancer cells break down barriers and metastasize.
No, the effects varied. While urokinase plasminogen activator and its inhibitor increased markedly, the urokinase receptor increased only marginally in one cell line, and tissue plasminogen activator was slightly down-regulated.
The researchers tested MCF-7 cells from two different sources and found consistent increases in key metastasis-promoting proteins, though some variation occurred in receptor expression between the two cell lines tested.