Magnetic Fields and Cancer: Epidemiology, Cellular Biology, and Theranostics

Abstract

Humans are exposed to a complex mix of man-made electric and magnetic fields (MFs) at many different frequencies, at home and at work. Epidemiological studies indicate that there is a positive relationship between residential/domestic and occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and some types of cancer, although some other studies indicate no relationship. In this review, after an introduction on the MF definition and a description of natural/anthropogenic sources, the epidemiology of residential/domestic and occupational exposure to MFs and cancer is reviewed, with reference to leukemia, brain, and breast cancer. The in vivo and in vitro effects of MFs on cancer are reviewed considering both human and animal cells, with particular reference to the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS). MF application on cancer diagnostic and therapy (theranostic) are also reviewed by describing the use of different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications for the detection of several cancers. Finally, the use of magnetic nanoparticles is described in terms of treatment of cancer by nanomedical applications for the precise delivery of anticancer drugs, nanosurgery by magnetomechanic methods, and selective killing of cancer cells by magnetic hyperthermia. The supplementary tables provide quantitative data and methodologies in epidemiological and cell biology studies. Although scientists do not generally agree that there is a cause-effect relationship between exposure to MF and cancer, MFs might not be the direct cause of cancer but may contribute to produce ROS and generate oxidative stress, which could trigger or enhance the expression of oncogenes.

Hypomagnetic Field Induces the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species and Cognitive Deficits in Mice Hippocampus

“…However, high levels of ROS are closely associated with oxidative stress, aging, and brain dysfunction [ 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Similar results regarding increased ROS production and oxidative stress were also shown in many animal studies of the biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from power systems [ 67 , 68 ]. These studies indicate that HMF or EMF may contribute to the production of ROS and cause oxidative stress, which could further trigger or enhance neurodevelopmental abnormalities or cancer.…”

Magnetic field effects in biology from the perspective of the radical pair mechanism

“…This could also be pertinent for the quest of life on other planets without a magnetic field, including Mars 634,635 . In a similar vein, nowadays almost all species are exposed to magnetic fields at different intensities and frequencies originated by manufactured devices 67,351,[636][637][638][639][640] . The effects of magnetic fields on physiological functions are inevitable and could be detrimental.…”

“…There is a considerable amount of research investigating magnetic field effects on biological functions 23,[59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67] . In the following, we review the effects of low-intensity magnetic fields on biology.…”

“…In the same system, they further observed that if Mg 2+ ion is replaced by stable isotopes of calcium ion, 40 Ca 2+ and 43 Ca 2+ (with nuclear spins of 0, 7/2, respectively), the enzyme catalytic reactions will be isotope-dependent, such that 43 Ca 2+ promoted enzyme hyper-suppression leading to a residual synthesis of shorted DNA fragments compared to 40 Ca 2+385 . They repeated the same experiment but his time instead of Mg 2+ ion stable isotopes of zinc, 64 Zn 2+ and 67 Zn 2+ (with nuclear spins of 0, 5/2, respectively) were used. The authors reported that 67 Zn 2+ suppressed DNA synthesis a few times more than 64 Zn 2+386 .…”

“…They repeated the same experiment but his time instead of Mg 2+ ion stable isotopes of zinc, 64 Zn 2+ and 67 Zn 2+ (with nuclear spins of 0, 5/2, respectively) were used. The authors reported that 67 Zn 2+ suppressed DNA synthesis a few times more than 64 Zn 2+386 . 3 The radical pair mechanism…”