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Magnetic Fields and Cancer: Epidemiology, Cellular Biology, and Theranostics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031339. [PMID: 35163262 PMCID: PMC8835851 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
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.
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Carlberg M, Koppel T, Ahonen M, Hardell L. Case-control study on occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields and the association with acoustic neuroma. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 187:109621. [PMID: 32422481 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) was in 2002 classified as a possible human carcinogen, Group 2B, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer at WHO based on an increased risk for childhood leukemia. In case-control studies on brain and head tumours during 1997-2003 and 2007-2009 we assessed life-time occupations in addition to exposure to different agents. The INTEROCC ELF-EMF Job-Exposure Matrix was used for associating occupations with ELF-EMF exposure (μT) with acoustic neuroma. Cumulative exposure (μT-years), average exposure (μT) and maximum exposed job (μT) were calculated. No increased risk for acoustic neuroma was found in any category. For cumulative exposure in the highest exposure category 8.52+ μT years odds ratio (OR) = 1.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.8-2.0, p linear trend = 0.37 was calculated. No statistically significant risks were found in the time windows 1-14 years, and 15+ years, respectively. In conclusion occupational ELF-EMF was not associated with an increased risk for acoustic neuroma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Carlberg
- The Environment and Cancer Research Foundation, Studievägen 35, SE 702 17, Örebro, Sweden.
| | - Tarmo Koppel
- Department of Labour Environment and Safety, Tallinn University of Technology, SCO351 Ehitajate Tee 5, 19086, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Mikko Ahonen
- Institute of Environmental Health and Safety, Jaama 14-3, 11615, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Lennart Hardell
- The Environment and Cancer Research Foundation, Studievägen 35, SE 702 17, Örebro, Sweden.
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Villarini M, Gambelunghe A, Giustarini D, Ambrosini MV, Fatigoni C, Rossi R, Dominici L, Levorato S, Muzi G, Piobbico D, Mariucci G. No evidence of DNA damage by co-exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and aluminum on neuroblastoma cell lines. Mutat Res 2017; 823:11-21. [PMID: 28985943 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrgentox.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2017] [Revised: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Whether exposure to 50-60Hz extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) exerts neurotoxic effects is a debated issue. Analogously, the potential role of Aluminum (Al) in neurodegeneration is a matter of controversial debate. As all living organisms are exposed to ELF-MF and/or Al daily, we found investigating the early effects of co-exposure to ELF-MF and Al in SH-SY5Y and SK-N-BE-2 human neuroblastoma (NB) cells intriguing. SH-SY5Y5 and SK-N-BE-2 cells underwent exposure to 50Hz ELF-MF (0.01, 0.1 or 1mT) or AlCl3 (4 or 40μM) or co-exposure to 50Hz ELF-MF and AlCl3 for 1h continuously or 5h intermittently. The effects of the treatment were evaluated in terms of DNA damage, redox status changes and Hsp70 expression. The DNA damage was assessed by Comet assay; the cellular redox status was investigated by measuring the amount of reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) while the inducible Hsp70 expression was evaluated by western blot analysis and real-time RT-PCR. Neither exposure to ELF-MF or AlCl3 alone induced DNA damage, changes in GSH/GSSG ratio or variations in Hsp70 expression with respect to the controls in both NB cell lines. Similarly, co-exposure to ELF-MF and AlCl3 did not have any synergic toxic effects. The results of this in vitro study, which deals with the effects of co-exposure to 50Hz MF and Aluminum, seem to exclude that short-term exposure to ELF-MF in combination with Al can have harmful effects on human SH-SY5Y and SK-N-BE-2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Villarini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06122 Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Giustarini
- Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Fatigoni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06122 Perugia, Italy
| | - Ranieri Rossi
- Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Dominici
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06122 Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Levorato
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06122 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Muzi
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Danilo Piobbico
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Mariucci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06122 Perugia, Italy.
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Zhang Y, Lai J, Ruan G, Chen C, Wang DW. Meta-analysis of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and cancer risk: a pooled analysis of epidemiologic studies. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2016; 88:36-43. [PMID: 26703095 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 11/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Studies have suggested that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) may affect physiological functions in animal models. However, epidemiologic studies investigating the association of ELF-EMF with the susceptibility to cancer yield contradictory results. In this comprehensive analysis, we conducted a search for case-control surveys regarding the associations of ELF-EMF and cancer susceptibility in electronic databases. A total of 42 studies involving 13,259 cases and 100,882 controls were retrieved. Overall, increased susceptibility to cancer was identified in the ELF-EMF exposed population (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.15, P=0.02). In the stratified analyses, increased risk was found in North America (OR=1.10; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.20, P=0.02), especially the United States (OR=1.10; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.20, P=0.03). However, studies from Europe contradict these results. Moreover, a higher risk was found to be statistically significantly associated with the residential exposed population (OR=1.18; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.37, P=0.03). Furthermore, an increased cancer risk was found in interview-based surveys (OR=1.16; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.35, P=0.04). In device measurement-based studies, a slight increased risk was found only in premenopausal breast cancer (OR=1.23; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.49, P=0.04). Our meta-analysis suggests that ELF-EMFs are associated with cancer risk, mainly in the United States and in residential exposed populations. Methodological challenges might explain the differences among studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yemao Zhang
- High Voltage Research Institute, China Electric Power Research Institute, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinsheng Lai
- Department of Internal Medicine and the Institute of Hypertension, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoran Ruan
- Department of Internal Medicine and the Institute of Hypertension, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine and the Institute of Hypertension, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dao Wen Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine and the Institute of Hypertension, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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Taiwo O, Galusha D, Tessier-Sherman B, Kirsche S, Cantley L, Slade MD, Cullen MR, Donoghue AM. Acoustic neuroma: potential risk factors and audiometric surveillance in the aluminium industry. Occup Environ Med 2014; 71:624-8. [PMID: 25015928 PMCID: PMC4145445 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2014-102094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To look for an association between acoustic neuroma (AN) and participation in a hearing conservation programme (HCP) and also for an association between AN and possible occupational risk factors in the aluminium industry. METHODS We conducted a case-control analysis of a population of US aluminium production workers in 8 smelters and 43 other plants. Using insurance claims data, 97 cases of AN were identified between 1996 and 2009. Each was matched with four controls. Covariates included participation in a HCP, working in an aluminium smelter, working in an electrical job and hearing loss. RESULTS In the bivariate analyses, covariates associated with AN were participation in the HCP (OR=1.72; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.69) and smelter work (OR=1.88; 95% CI 1.06 to 3.36). Electrical work was not significant (OR=1.60; 95% CI 0.65 to 3.94). Owing to high participation in the HCP in smelters, multivariate subanalyses were required. In the multivariate analyses, participation in the HCP was the only statistically significant risk factor for AN. In the multivariate analysis restricted to employees not working in a smelter, the OR was 1.81 (95% CI 1.04 to 3.17). Hearing loss, an indirect measure of in-ear noise dose, was not predictive of AN. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest the incidental detection of previously undiagnosed tumours in workers who participated in the company-sponsored HCP. The increased medical surveillance among this population of workers most likely introduced detection bias, leading to the identification of AN cases that would have otherwise remained undetected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyebode Taiwo
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Deron Galusha
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Baylah Tessier-Sherman
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sharon Kirsche
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Linda Cantley
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Martin D Slade
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Mark R Cullen
- Division of General Medical Disciplines, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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Villarini M, Ambrosini MV, Moretti M, Dominici L, Taha E, Piobbico D, Gambelunghe C, Mariucci G. Brain hsp70 expression and DNA damage in mice exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields: A dose-response study. Int J Radiat Biol 2013; 89:562-70. [DOI: 10.3109/09553002.2013.782449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Mariucci G, Villarini M, Moretti M, Taha E, Conte C, Minelli A, Aristei C, Ambrosini MV. Brain DNA damage and 70-kDa heat shock protein expression in CD1 mice exposed to extremely low frequency magnetic fields. Int J Radiat Biol 2010; 86:701-10. [DOI: 10.3109/09553001003789588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Villeneuve PJ, Miller AB. Comments on Kheifets et al. “Extremely low frequency electric fields and cancer: Assessing the evidence”. Bioelectromagnetics 2010; 31:413-4; discussion 415-6. [DOI: 10.1002/bem.20573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Corona AP, Oliveira JC, Souza FPAD, Santana LV, Rêgo MAV. Risk factors associated with vestibulocochlear nerve schwannoma: systematic review. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2010; 75:593-615. [PMID: 19784431 PMCID: PMC9446008 DOI: 10.1016/s1808-8694(15)30501-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2007] [Accepted: 02/21/2008] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The vestibulocochlear nerve schwannoma (VS) is a benign tumor that stems from the edge of the Schwann's sheath. It is considered the most frequent intracranial benign tumor, of low lethality rate and unknown etiology. Aim to identify risk factors associated with VS. Study design systematic review. Methods electronic search of studies using the following key words: “risk”, “schwannoma”, “vestibular”, “neuroma” and “acoustic”. All original articles on epidemiological studies published in Portuguese, English or Spanish describing measures of association were included. Results twenty case-control studies were found, most of them published in the United States. The analysis of those studies shows educational level, household income, occupation, exposure to ionizing radiation and noise, allergic diseases as well as the use of both cellular and cordless phones as risk factors for the VS. Conclusion methodological limitations and lack of precision in the findings impose limits to definitive conclusions concerning those risk factors. The current study contributes with information which can subsidize decisions related to the methodology to be used, having in mind new investigations on risk factors for VS. Therefore, it is of great help for knowledge improvement in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Corona
- Speech and Hearing Therapy Department, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
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Focke F, Schuermann D, Kuster N, Schär P. DNA fragmentation in human fibroblasts under extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure. Mutat Res 2010; 683:74-83. [PMID: 19896957 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2009.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2009] [Revised: 10/22/2009] [Accepted: 10/22/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) were reported to affect DNA integrity in human cells with evidence based on the Comet assay. These findings were heavily debated for two main reasons; the lack of reproducibility, and the absence of a plausible scientific rationale for how EMFs could damage DNA. Starting out from a replication of the relevant experiments, we performed this study to clarify the existence and explore origin and nature of ELF-EMF induced DNA effects. Our data confirm that intermittent (but not continuous) exposure of human primary fibroblasts to a 50 Hz EMF at a flux density of 1 mT induces a slight but significant increase of DNA fragmentation in the Comet assay, and we provide first evidence for this to be caused by the magnetic rather than the electric field. Moreover, we show that EMF-induced responses in the Comet assay are dependent on cell proliferation, suggesting that processes of DNA replication rather than the DNA itself may be affected. Consistently, the Comet effects correlated with a reduction of actively replicating cells and a concomitant increase of apoptotic cells in exposed cultures, whereas a combined Fpg-Comet test failed to produce evidence for a notable contribution of oxidative DNA base damage. Hence, ELF-EMF induced effects in the Comet assay are reproducible under specific conditions and can be explained by minor disturbances in S-phase processes and occasional triggering of apoptosis rather than by the generation of DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frauke Focke
- Institute of Biochemistry and Genetics, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Marcilio I, Habermann M, Gouveia N. Campos magnéticos de frequência extremamente baixa e efeitos na saúde: revisão da literatura. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE EPIDEMIOLOGIA 2009. [DOI: 10.1590/s1415-790x2009000200002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A partir da publicação, em 1979, dos resultados de um estudo que apontava para o aumento do risco de leucemia em crianças associado à exposição a campos magnéticos, o interesse pelo tema vem aumentando, e diversos estudos foram publicados. O objetivo desta revisão é apresentar os diferentes métodos utilizados na avaliação da exposição aos campos magnéticos de frequência extremamente baixa, bem como as dificuldades enfrentadas na quantificação dessa exposição, além de relatar os resultados de estudos epidemiológicos publicados nos últimos 10 anos. A falta de um modelo fisiopatológico que explique uma possível influência dos campos magnéticos na saúde e a dificuldade para quantificar a exposição têm sido os maiores obstáculos da pesquisa na área. Leucemia e tumores do sistema nervoso central têm sido os efeitos mais estudados. Leucemia em crianças é o desfecho mais consistentemente associado à exposição a campos magnéticos. Estudos mais recentes apontam a associação entre esclerose lateral amiotrófica e campos magnéticos.
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