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Inhibition of tumor growth by the use of non‐homogeneous magnetic fields
Author(s) -
Weber Thomas,
Cerilli G. James
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197108)28:2<340::aid-cncr2820280213>3.0.co;2-e
Subject(s) - in vivo , homogeneous , in vitro , mammary tumor , medicine , adenocarcinoma , mammary carcinoma , tumor cells , strain (injury) , pathology , andrology , cancer research , carcinoma , biology , cancer , breast cancer , thermodynamics , biochemistry , physics , microbiology and biotechnology
We have investigated a new and as yet totally unevaluated method for retarding the growth of tumor cells by either transient in vitro exposure of tumor cells or palpable in vivo exposure of the tumor to a non‐homogeneous magnetic field. Ten million mammary adenocarcinoma (H2712) mouse tumor cells were exposed to a 38 kilogauss magnetic field (field gradient, 12 kilogauss /mm) for 20 minutes, and subsequently, were injected in equal parts into C 3 H/HeJ mice, the carrier strain. Mice receiving tumor cells exposed to the magnetic field had a mean survival of 18 ± 1.3 days; the mean control survival was 9.0 ± 1.3 days. In addition, another group of C 3 H/HeJ mice with a barely palpable mammary adenocarcinoma tumor in the hind leg (48 hours post‐injection) were exposed to the same field strength for 20 minutes, with a resulting mean survival of 18.3 ± 2.25 days, compared to a mean survival of 7.9 ± 1.4 days in controls. A repeated exposure of these in vivo tumors for 20 minutes at 72 and 96 hours post‐injection produced a mean survival of 21.1 ± 2.0 days. Tissue temperature within the field remained normal, and there was no obvious damage to skin or surrounding normal tissues. These experiments have demonstrated that a non‐homogeneous magnetic field is a potent inhibitor of tumor cell viability and growth rate, both in vitro and in vivo, and offers promise for clinical application.