Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Enhances Doxorubicin-induced Reduction in the Viability of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

A pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) enhances the efficacy of several anticancer drugs. Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anticancer agent used to treat various malignancies, including breast cancer. This study examined whether a PEMF increases the anticancer effect of DOX on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells and elucidated the underlying mechanisms affected by PEMF stimulation in DOX-treated MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. A cotreatment with DOX and a PEMF potentiated the reduction in MCF-7 cell viability compared to the treatment with DOX alone. The PEMF elevated DOX-induced G1 arrest by affecting cyclin-dependent kinase 2 phosphorylation and the expression of G1 arrest-related molecules, including p53, p21, cyclin E2, and polo like kinase 1. In addition, PEMF increased the DOX-induced upregulation of proapoptotic proteins, such as Fas and Bcl-2-associated X, and the downregulation of antiapoptotic proteins, including myeloid leukemia 1 and survivin. PEMF promoted the DOX-induced activation of caspases-8, -9, and -7 and poly (adenosine diphosphateribose) polymerase cleavage in MCF-7 cells. In conclusion, PEMF enhances the anticancer activity in DOX-treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells by increasing G1 cell cycle arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis. These findings highlight the potential use of a PEMF as an adjuvant treatment for DOX-based chemotherapy against breast cancer.