Power frequency magnetic field promotes a more malignant phenotype in neuroblastoma cells via redox-related mechanisms.
Falone S, Santini S Jr, Cordone V, Cesare P, Bonfigli A, Grannonico M, Di Emidio G, Tatone C, Cacchio M, Amicarelli F. · 2017
View Original Abstract50 Hz magnetic fields made brain cancer cells more aggressive and treatment-resistant at levels found near power lines.
Plain English Summary
Researchers exposed human neuroblastoma cells (a type of brain cancer cell) to 50 Hz magnetic fields at levels similar to those found near power lines. The magnetic field exposure made the cancer cells grow faster and become more resistant to cancer treatment drugs by activating the cells' natural defense systems. This suggests that power-frequency magnetic fields might make certain brain cancers more aggressive and harder to treat.
Why This Matters
This study adds concerning evidence to the growing body of research linking power-frequency magnetic fields to cancer progression. The researchers found that exposure to 1 milliTesla (1,000 microTesla) magnetic fields - levels you might encounter living very close to high-voltage power lines - made neuroblastoma cells more aggressive and treatment-resistant. Perhaps more troubling, they noted that even exposures as low as 100 microTesla could still alter cancer cell behavior. For context, 100 microTesla is within the range of magnetic field levels found in many homes near electrical wiring and appliances. What makes this research particularly significant is that it identifies specific biological mechanisms by which magnetic fields might promote cancer progression, moving beyond simple correlation to demonstrate plausible causation. The study suggests that magnetic field exposure doesn't just potentially cause cancer - it might make existing cancers harder to treat.
Exposure Details
- Magnetic Field
- 1 mG
- Source/Device
- 50 Hz
Exposure Context
This study used 1 mG for magnetic fields:
- 50Kx above the Building Biology guideline of 0.2 mG
- 10Kx above the BioInitiative Report recommendation of 1 mG
Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.
Where This Falls on the Concern Scale
Study Details
We investigated whether the hyperproliferation that is induced in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells by a 50 Hz, 1 mT ELF magnetic field was supported by improved defence towards reactive oxygen species (ROS) and xenobiotics, as well as by reduced vulnerability against both H2O2 and anti-tumor ROS-generating drug doxorubicin.
ELF-MF induced a proliferative and survival advantage by activating key redox-responsive antioxidati...
In conclusion, our study reports that the biology of neuro-derived malignant cells is altered by ELF-MF exposure. This could provide proliferative or survival advantage through an enduring activation of major redox-responsive antioxidative and detoxification cytoprotective pathways that are associated with more aggressive/resistant behavior.
Show BibTeX
@article{s_2017_power_frequency_magnetic_field_358,
author = {Falone S and Santini S Jr and Cordone V and Cesare P and Bonfigli A and Grannonico M and Di Emidio G and Tatone C and Cacchio M and Amicarelli F.},
title = {Power frequency magnetic field promotes a more malignant phenotype in neuroblastoma cells via redox-related mechanisms.},
year = {2017},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-11869-8},
}