The Effect of Time-Varying Low Intensity ELF Magnetic Field on Growth Rate of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on Balb/C Mice

Article history: Received: 13 March 2011 Accepted: 14 July 2011 Available online: 27 July 2011 Background: Extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields have been considered by researchers as a noninvasive treatment approach. Citing documented biological effects of ELF magnetic fields in recent studies, we investigate the effect of low intensity ELF magnetic field on the treatment of invasive ductal carcinoma tumor. Materials and Methods : Female Balb/c mice were transplanted with invasive ductal carcinoma tumors. Extremely low frequency magnetic field (100 pulse per second EMF (150 μT)) with static magnetic field (400 μT) as a background exposure was applied as a combined protocol for the treatment of the tumors. Other treatment groups in this study were control group (with no treatment), static magnetic field exposure group at 400 μT (sham group), chemotherapy by bleomycin intratumoral injection group and finally a group with the combined protocol after intratumoral injection of bleomycin. All groups were treated in the magnetic field for 10 minutes per day for 12 days. Results: The results of this study showed that static and ELF magnetic field had no significant effect on the invasive ductal carcinoma tumor growth process. But static magnetic field indicated a significant decrease in tumor growth in the last days of the follow up. Also combined protocol significantly increased toxic effect of bleomycin as a chemotherapy agent. Conclusion: Low intensity static magnetic field can be considered as an antitumor factor. Also combined magnetic fields can be used for increasing the effects of chemotherapy in cancerous patients. © 2012 Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, ZJRMS. All rights reserved.