Literature review: potential non-thermal molecular effects of external radiofrequency
Abstract
Literature review: potential non-thermal molecular effects of external radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on cancer Dieper A, Scheidegger S, Füchslin RM, Veltsista PD, Stein U, Weyland M, Gerster D, Beck M, Bengtsson O, Zips D, Ghadjar P. Literature review: potential non-thermal molecular effects of external radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on cancer. Int J Hyperthermia. 2024;41(1):2379992. doi: 10.1080/02656736.2024.2379992. Abstract Introduction: There is an ongoing scientific discussion, that anti-cancer effects induced by radiofrequency (RF)-hyperthermia might not be solely attributable to subsequent temperature elevations at the tumor site but also to non-temperature-induced effects. The exact molecular mechanisms behind said potential non-thermal RF effects remain largely elusive, however, limiting their therapeutical targetability. Objective: Therefore, we aim to provide an overview of the current literature on potential non- temperature-induced molecular effects within cancer cells in response to RF-electromagnetic fields (RF- EMF). Material and methods: This literature review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. For this purpose, a MeSH-term-defined literature search on MEDLINE (PubMed) and Scopus (Elsevier) was conducted on March 23rd, 2024. Essential criteria herein included the continuous wave RF-EMF nature (3 kHz - 300 GHz) of the source, the securing of temperature-controlled circumstances within the trials, and the preclinical nature of the trials. Results: Analysis of the data processed in this review suggests that RF-EMF radiation of various frequencies seems to be able to induce significant non-temperature-induced anti-cancer effects. These effects span from mitotic arrest and growth inhibition to cancer cell death in the form of autophagy and apoptosis and appear to be mostly exclusive to cancer cells. Several cellular mechanisms were identified through which RF-EMF radiation potentially imposes its anti-cancer effects. Among those, by reviewing the included publications, we identified RF-EMF-induced ion channel activation, altered gene expression, altered membrane potentials, membrane oscillations, and blebbing, as well as changes in cytoskeletal structure and cell morphology. Conclusion: The existent literature points toward a yet untapped therapeutic potential of RF-EMF treatment, which might aid in damaging cancer cells through bio-electrical and electro-mechanical molecular mechanisms while minimizing adverse effects on healthy tissue cells. Further research is imperative to definitively confirm non-thermal EMF effects as well as to determine optimal cancer-type- specific RF-EMF frequencies, field intensities, and exposure intervals. Open access paper: tandfonline.com
AI evidence extraction
Main findings
This PRISMA-guided literature review of temperature-controlled preclinical studies suggests that continuous-wave RF-EMF exposures (3 kHz–300 GHz) across various frequencies can induce significant non-temperature-induced anti-cancer effects, including mitotic arrest, growth inhibition, and cancer cell death via autophagy and apoptosis, reported as mostly exclusive to cancer cells. Proposed mechanisms reported in included publications include ion channel activation, altered gene expression and membrane potentials, membrane oscillations/blebbing, and cytoskeletal and morphological changes.
Outcomes measured
- Non-thermal (non-temperature-induced) anti-cancer effects
- Mitotic arrest
- Growth inhibition
- Cancer cell death (autophagy, apoptosis)
- Ion channel activation
- Altered gene expression
- Altered membrane potentials
- Membrane oscillations and blebbing
- Changes in cytoskeletal structure and cell morphology
Limitations
- Exact molecular mechanisms remain largely elusive (as stated).
- Evidence base limited to preclinical trials (as an inclusion criterion).
- Further research needed to confirm non-thermal effects and determine optimal frequencies, field intensities, and exposure intervals (as stated).
View raw extracted JSON
{
"study_type": "review",
"exposure": {
"band": "RF",
"source": "RF-EMF (continuous wave; external radiofrequency)",
"frequency_mhz": null,
"sar_wkg": null,
"duration": null
},
"population": null,
"sample_size": null,
"outcomes": [
"Non-thermal (non-temperature-induced) anti-cancer effects",
"Mitotic arrest",
"Growth inhibition",
"Cancer cell death (autophagy, apoptosis)",
"Ion channel activation",
"Altered gene expression",
"Altered membrane potentials",
"Membrane oscillations and blebbing",
"Changes in cytoskeletal structure and cell morphology"
],
"main_findings": "This PRISMA-guided literature review of temperature-controlled preclinical studies suggests that continuous-wave RF-EMF exposures (3 kHz–300 GHz) across various frequencies can induce significant non-temperature-induced anti-cancer effects, including mitotic arrest, growth inhibition, and cancer cell death via autophagy and apoptosis, reported as mostly exclusive to cancer cells. Proposed mechanisms reported in included publications include ion channel activation, altered gene expression and membrane potentials, membrane oscillations/blebbing, and cytoskeletal and morphological changes.",
"effect_direction": "benefit",
"limitations": [
"Exact molecular mechanisms remain largely elusive (as stated).",
"Evidence base limited to preclinical trials (as an inclusion criterion).",
"Further research needed to confirm non-thermal effects and determine optimal frequencies, field intensities, and exposure intervals (as stated)."
],
"evidence_strength": "low",
"confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
"peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
"keywords": [
"radiofrequency",
"RF-EMF",
"non-thermal effects",
"temperature-controlled",
"cancer",
"hyperthermia",
"preclinical",
"apoptosis",
"autophagy",
"ion channels",
"gene expression",
"membrane potential",
"cytoskeleton"
],
"suggested_hubs": []
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.
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