Effects of Multifrequency Electromagnetic Pulses on tumor growth in immunocompetent mice

Abstract

Sci Rep . 2026 Apr 22;16(1):17173. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-49151-5. Effects of Multifrequency Electromagnetic Pulses on tumor growth in immunocompetent mice Roberta Piredda 1, Luis G Rodríguez Martínez 2, Jorge Martinez-Ortega 1, Alejandro López Ferraz 3, Sandra Villatoro-Gómez 4, Elena Martín-García 4, María Laura García-Bermejo 4, José M Almendral 1, Konstantinos Stamatakis 5 6, Yolanda Revilla 7 Affiliations Expand PMID: 42020639 PMCID: PMC13234048 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-49151-5 Abstract We previously established that a Multifrequency Electromagnetic Pulse (MEMP) treatment selectively eradicates tumorigenic cells in vitro. Here we evaluate the effect of two different systemic MEMP treatment regimens (30 Hz, > 2T) on syngeneic MC38 colon adenocarcinoma subcutaneously engrafted in C57BL/6 mice. Tumor development was monitored by bioluminescence imaging, and excised tissues were evaluated for immune-cell infiltration (CD4, CD8, and CD68), oxidative stress (HO-1, MDA), and DNA damage (γH2AX) markers by immunohistochemistry. The MEMP regimes consistently and significantly slowed tumor progression and extended animal survival, with no detectable adverse effects on welfare. Histopathology revealed in treated tumors broader necrotic regions, signals of oxidative stress, and γH2AX staining showing limited yet evident DNA damage. While the number of intratumor CD4 and CD8 T-cell-counts remained stable, an apparent increase in the number CD68+ macrophages was noticed in the tumors of treated mice, suggesting that MEMP may enhance the penetration of immune effectors cells into the xenografted tumors, a preliminary evidence deserving further research. Further, MEMP achieved complete tumor regression in a small subset of animals, (n = 2), which mounted a robust resistance to a subsequent tumor re-challenge. Collectively, our findings indicate that systemic MEMP can alter tumor dynamics and immune features in pre-clinical animal models, offering a practical framework to study tumor–immune interactions at the organismal level under controlled physical-field conditions. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at10.1038/s41598-026-49151-5.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Systemic MEMP treatment at 30 Hz (>2T) significantly slowed tumor progression and extended survival in mice without adverse effects. Treated tumors showed increased necrosis, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and increased CD68+ macrophage infiltration. Complete tumor regression occurred in a small subset, which resisted tumor re-challenge.

Outcomes measured

• tumor progression
• animal survival
• immune-cell infiltration (CD4, CD8, CD68)
• oxidative stress markers (HO-1, MDA)
• DNA damage marker (γH2AX)
• tumor necrosis
• tumor regression
• resistance to tumor re-challenge

Limitations

• Sample size not specified
• Limited number of animals with complete tumor regression
• Preliminary evidence on immune cell infiltration requires further research
• Animal model findings may not directly translate to humans

{
    "study_type": "animal",
    "exposure": {
        "band": null,
        "source": "Multifrequency Electromagnetic Pulse (MEMP)",
        "frequency_mhz": 0.0299999999999999988897769753748434595763683319091796875,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice with syngeneic MC38 colon adenocarcinoma",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "tumor progression",
        "animal survival",
        "immune-cell infiltration (CD4, CD8, CD68)",
        "oxidative stress markers (HO-1, MDA)",
        "DNA damage marker (γH2AX)",
        "tumor necrosis",
        "tumor regression",
        "resistance to tumor re-challenge"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Systemic MEMP treatment at 30 Hz (>2T) significantly slowed tumor progression and extended survival in mice without adverse effects. Treated tumors showed increased necrosis, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and increased CD68+ macrophage infiltration. Complete tumor regression occurred in a small subset, which resisted tumor re-challenge.",
    "effect_direction": "benefit",
    "limitations": [
        "Sample size not specified",
        "Limited number of animals with complete tumor regression",
        "Preliminary evidence on immune cell infiltration requires further research",
        "Animal model findings may not directly translate to humans"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "moderate",
    "confidence": 0.6999999999999999555910790149937383830547332763671875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "multifrequency electromagnetic pulses",
        "tumor growth",
        "immunocompetent mice",
        "MC38 colon adenocarcinoma",
        "immune infiltration",
        "oxidative stress",
        "DNA damage",
        "tumor regression"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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