Archives of Advances in Biosciences

Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025)

Non-Invasive ELF Magnetic Fields Suppress Bladder Cancer Cell Viability through Apoptotic Pathways

Archives of Advances in Biosciences, Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025), 2 March 2025 , Page 1-8
https://doi.org/10.22037/aab.v16i1.51373

Abstract

Background and Aim: This study was undertaken to rigorously investigate the effects of extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) on bladder cancer cells and apoptosis-related pathways.

Methods: T24 and 5637 cell lines were exposed to a 6 mT, 50 Hz magnetic field for 2 hours per day over three consecutive days. Cell viability was systematically assessed by MTT assay which revealed a significant reduction in survival of cancer cells following ELF-MF exposure.

Results: Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2 and upregulation of the tumor suppressor PTEN. Moreover, the tumor-suppressive microRNA miR-34a was markedly increased, while the oncogenic miR-21 was decreased. These effects were largely specific to cancer cells, with minimal impact on normal urothelial cells, thereby indicating a degree of selective biological responsiveness.

Conclusion: The results suggest that ELF-MF can modulate key apoptotic regulators and selectively impair cancer cell viability. This work highlights the potential of ELF-MF as a non-invasive physical modality to enhance apoptosis and suppress tumor progression, providing a foundation for future studies in combination with conventional chemotherapeutics.

Keywords:
  • bladder cancer
  • extremely low frequency magnetic fields
  • miR 34a
  • miR 21
  • PTEN
  • BCL2

How to Cite

Gharekhanlou, B., & Abdi, S. (2026). Non-Invasive ELF Magnetic Fields Suppress Bladder Cancer Cell Viability through Apoptotic Pathways. Archives of Advances in Biosciences, 16(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.22037/aab.v16i1.51373

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