Biological effects of PEMF (pulsing electromagnetic field): an attempt to modify cell resistance to anticancer agents

J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 1993 Oct-Dec;12(4):193-7.

Abstract

Pulsing Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) effects lead to a modification of the multidrug resistance (MDR) of cells in vitro and in vivo. The murine leukemic doxorubicin-resistant cell line, P388/Dx, subjected to PEMF irradiation in vitro, showed a significant difference in thymidine incorporation when the concentration of doxorubicin reached a level of 1 microgram/mL, which corresponds to the inhibition dose 50 (ID50). The human lymphoblastic leukemia vinblastine-resistant cell line, CEM/VLB100, also showed a significant modification under the same experimental conditions at the in vitro ID50 corresponding to a vinblastine concentration of 100 ng/mL. BDF1 mice transplanted with P388/Dx cells also had an increase in their life span when doxorubicin was injected intraperitoneally in fractionated doses, while being subjected to PEMF irradiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Electromagnetic Fields*
  • Leukemia P388 / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia P388 / radiotherapy*
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Vinblastine / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Vinblastine
  • Doxorubicin