Possible effects of radiofrequency EMF on in vivo C6 brain tumors in Wistar rats

Abstract

Possible effects of radiofrequency EMF on in vivo C6 brain tumors in Wistar rats Ouadah NS, Lecomte A, Robidel F, Olsson A, Deltour I, Schüz J, Blazy K, Villégier AS. Possible effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on in vivo C6 brain tumors in Wistar rats. J Neurooncol. 2018 Dec;140(3):539-546. doi: 10.1007/s11060-018-03012-y. Abstract PURPOSE: Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor which has one of the poorest prognosis. It is not clear if toxic environmental factors can influence its aggressiveness. Recently, it was suggested that brain cancer patients with heavy cell phone use showed reduced survival. Here we aimed to assess the effect of controlled brain averaged specific absorption rate (BASAR) from heavy use of cell phone radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on in vivo C6 brain tumors in Wistar rats. METHODS: C6 cells grafted male rats were exposed to GSM 900 MHz signal at environmental BASAR, 0 (sham), 0.25 or 0.5 W/kg (5 days a week, 45 min a day in restraint), or were cage controls (no restraint). At death, tumor volume and immunohistochemistry for CD31, cleaved caspase (CC) 3 and Ki67 were assessed to examine vascularization, apoptosis and cellular divisions, respectively. Moreover, immune cell invasion, necrosis and mitotic index were determined. RESULTS: Results showed no BASAR effect on survival (31 days post-graft median), tumor volume, mitotic index, vascularization, infiltration, necrosis or cell division. However, results suggested a BASAR-dependent reduction of immune cell invasion and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested an action of RF-EMF by reducing immune cell invasion and glioblastoma cell apoptosis, at probably too low amplitude to impact survival. Further replication studies are needed to confirm these observations. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In rats with C6 brain tumors exposed to GSM 900 MHz at brain-averaged SAR (BASAR) 0.25 or 0.5 W/kg, there was no observed effect on survival, tumor volume, mitotic index, vascularization, infiltration, necrosis, or cell division compared with sham/control conditions. The authors report results suggesting a BASAR-dependent reduction in immune cell invasion and apoptosis.

Outcomes measured

• Survival
• Tumor volume
• Mitotic index
• Vascularization (CD31)
• Apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3)
• Cell division/proliferation (Ki67)
• Immune cell invasion/infiltration
• Necrosis

Limitations

• Sample size not reported in abstract
• Authors describe some findings as suggested and call for replication
• Exposure included restraint, with separate cage controls (potential stress-related confounding)

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones-rf (0.9)
  Exposure described as heavy cell phone RF-EMF (GSM 900 MHz) with controlled BASAR.

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    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": 900,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "5 days/week, 45 min/day (in restraint)"
    },
    "population": "Male Wistar rats grafted with C6 glioblastoma cells (in vivo brain tumor model)",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Survival",
        "Tumor volume",
        "Mitotic index",
        "Vascularization (CD31)",
        "Apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3)",
        "Cell division/proliferation (Ki67)",
        "Immune cell invasion/infiltration",
        "Necrosis"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In rats with C6 brain tumors exposed to GSM 900 MHz at brain-averaged SAR (BASAR) 0.25 or 0.5 W/kg, there was no observed effect on survival, tumor volume, mitotic index, vascularization, infiltration, necrosis, or cell division compared with sham/control conditions. The authors report results suggesting a BASAR-dependent reduction in immune cell invasion and apoptosis.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not reported in abstract",
        "Authors describe some findings as suggested and call for replication",
        "Exposure included restraint, with separate cage controls (potential stress-related confounding)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency",
        "RF-EMF",
        "GSM",
        "900 MHz",
        "brain-averaged SAR",
        "BASAR",
        "cell phone",
        "glioblastoma",
        "C6",
        "Wistar rat",
        "tumor",
        "survival",
        "apoptosis",
        "immune cell invasion",
        "Ki67",
        "CD31"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
        {
            "slug": "mobile-phones-rf",
            "weight": 0.90000000000000002220446049250313080847263336181640625,
            "reason": "Exposure described as heavy cell phone RF-EMF (GSM 900 MHz) with controlled BASAR."
        }
    ]
}

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