Exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field induces an unbalance between pro-apoptotic and pro-survival signals in T-lymphoblastoid leukemia CCRF-CEM cells
Marinelli F, La Sala D, Cicciotti G, Cattini L, Trimarchi C, Putti S, Zamparelli A, Giuliani L, Tomassetti G, Cinti C · 2004
View Original Abstract900 MHz radiation initially damages DNA but helps surviving cancer cells become more resistant and aggressive.
Plain English Summary
Italian researchers exposed leukemia cells to 900 MHz radiofrequency radiation (the same frequency used in many cell phones) and found that short exposures caused DNA damage and triggered cell death pathways. However, cells that survived longer exposures actually became more resistant to dying and better at proliferating, suggesting that RF radiation might help cancer cells become more aggressive over time.
Why This Matters
This study reveals a particularly troubling finding: while radiofrequency radiation initially damages DNA and triggers protective responses in cells, prolonged exposure may actually help cancer cells survive and thrive. The research demonstrates that 900 MHz EMF-the same frequency used in GSM cell phones-can create a cellular environment that favors cancer cell survival through what researchers call 'pro-survival signaling.' What makes this especially concerning is that the surviving cells don't just return to normal; they develop enhanced abilities to resist death and continue multiplying. This suggests that chronic EMF exposure might not just initiate cellular damage, but could potentially promote cancer progression by helping malignant cells become more resilient. While this was conducted on isolated leukemia cells in laboratory conditions, it adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting we need to take EMF exposure seriously, particularly given our increasing daily exposure to these same frequencies.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. The study examined exposure from: 900 MHz
Study Details
To investigate whether exposure to high-frequency EMFs could affect in vitro cell survival, we cultured acute T-lymphoblastoid leukemia cells (CCRF-CEM) in the presence of unmodulated 900 MHz EMF, generated by a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell, at various exposure times.
We evaluated the effects of high-frequency EMF on cell growth rate and apoptosis induction, by cell...
At short exposure times (2–12 h), unmodulated 900 MHz EMF induced DNA breaks and early activation of...
Overall our results indicate that exposure to 900 MHz continuous wave, after inducing an early self-defense response triggered by DNA damage, could confer to the survivor CCRF-CEM cells a further advantage to survive and proliferate.
Show BibTeX
@article{f_2004_exposure_to_900_mhz_2411,
author = {Marinelli F and La Sala D and Cicciotti G and Cattini L and Trimarchi C and Putti S and Zamparelli A and Giuliani L and Tomassetti G and Cinti C},
title = {Exposure to 900 MHz electromagnetic field induces an unbalance between pro-apoptotic and pro-survival signals in T-lymphoblastoid leukemia CCRF-CEM cells},
year = {2004},
doi = {10.1002/jcp.10425},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jcp.10425},
}