Inhibition of mitochondrial NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase by spinning oscillating magnetic fields causes toxicity in cancer cells

PAPER manual FEBS Letters 2026 In vitro study Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.70271 PMID: 41510612 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Category: Cancer Biology Tags: electromagnetic fields, mitochondrial inhibition, glioblastoma, oxidative stress, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species, cell toxicity DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.70271 URL: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Overview This study investigates the effects of a novel noninvasive Oncomagnetic device (OMD) on cancer cells, focusing on glioblastoma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma cells. The core technology involves exposing cells to a spinning oscillating magnetic field (sOMF). Findings - Exposure to sOMF from the OMD leads to selective cytotoxicity in glioma cancer cells, providing a promising approach for anticancer therapy that does not rely on chemical toxicity. - The immediate intracellular target of sOMF is mitochondrial complex I, where persistent inhibition is observed via a mechanism dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS). - This inhibition results in: - Increased production of oxidative stress - DNA damage - G1 phase cell cycle arrest - Caspase-dependent apoptosis - Importantly, sOMF does not induce these toxic effects in normal human astrocytes and astroglial cells. Conclusion The study demonstrates that spinning oscillating magnetic fields have a direct, detrimental effect on the mitochondrial function of cancer cells, leading to cell death through multiple pathways such as oxidative stress and apoptosis. The absence of similar effects in normal cells provides a rationale for the safe clinical use of OMD in future cancer therapies. Please note that this research establishes a clear connection between exposure to certain electromagnetic fields and biological changes relevant to health and safety.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

In vitro study

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Glioblastoma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma cells; normal human astrocytes and astroglial cells

Sample size

—

Exposure

unknown Oncomagnetic device (OMD); spinning oscillating magnetic field (sOMF)

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 74% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

Exposure to a spinning oscillating magnetic field (sOMF) from a noninvasive Oncomagnetic device caused selective cytotoxicity in glioma cancer cells. The reported immediate intracellular target was mitochondrial complex I with persistent inhibition via a ROS-dependent mechanism, associated with oxidative stress, DNA damage, G1 arrest, and caspase-dependent apoptosis. The abstract reports no similar toxic effects in normal human astrocytes/astroglial cells.

Outcomes measured

cytotoxicity/cell toxicity
mitochondrial complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) inhibition
reactive oxygen species (ROS)
oxidative stress
DNA damage
G1 phase cell cycle arrest
caspase-dependent apoptosis

Limitations

No exposure parameters (e.g., field strength, frequency, duration) reported in the provided abstract.
In vitro study; clinical relevance and safety in humans are not established in the provided abstract.
Sample size and experimental replication details are not provided in the provided abstract.

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "in_vitro",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "unknown",
        "source": "Oncomagnetic device (OMD); spinning oscillating magnetic field (sOMF)",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Glioblastoma and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma cells; normal human astrocytes and astroglial cells",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "cytotoxicity/cell toxicity",
        "mitochondrial complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) inhibition",
        "reactive oxygen species (ROS)",
        "oxidative stress",
        "DNA damage",
        "G1 phase cell cycle arrest",
        "caspase-dependent apoptosis"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Exposure to a spinning oscillating magnetic field (sOMF) from a noninvasive Oncomagnetic device caused selective cytotoxicity in glioma cancer cells. The reported immediate intracellular target was mitochondrial complex I with persistent inhibition via a ROS-dependent mechanism, associated with oxidative stress, DNA damage, G1 arrest, and caspase-dependent apoptosis. The abstract reports no similar toxic effects in normal human astrocytes/astroglial cells.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "No exposure parameters (e.g., field strength, frequency, duration) reported in the provided abstract.",
        "In vitro study; clinical relevance and safety in humans are not established in the provided abstract.",
        "Sample size and experimental replication details are not provided in the provided abstract."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "electromagnetic fields",
        "spinning oscillating magnetic field",
        "magnetic fields",
        "Oncomagnetic device",
        "mitochondrial complex I",
        "NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase",
        "glioblastoma",
        "diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma",
        "reactive oxygen species",
        "oxidative stress",
        "DNA damage",
        "apoptosis",
        "cell cycle arrest",
        "cytotoxicity"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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