A new tumor-treating device OM-100 with low-frequency magnetic fields inhibits proliferation and metastasis in liver cancer

Abstract

Background: This study aims to investigate a novel instrument OM-100 with low-frequency magnetic fields (LFMFs) for its potential applicability in the treatment of liver cancer.

Methods: Liver cancer cell lines (HepG2 and Huh7) and normal liver cell line THLE-2 were exposed to OM-100 at LFMFs of 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 kHz for 2 h in the morning, noon, and evening, respectively. The effects of LFMF on cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion capabilities were examined. Additionally, impacts of LFMF on ROS production was assessed. In vivo studies were conducted to examine the safety profile of OM-100 and its effects on tumor growth.

Results: In vitro, OM-100 reduced the viability of liver cancer cells, increased cell apoptosis, and inhibited cell migration and invasion abilities in a frequency-dependent manner (P < 0.05). In vivo, OM-100 significantly slowed down tumor growth and promoted apoptosis in liver tumors (P < 0.05). Moreover, OM-100 rarely affected the viability of normal liver cells, as well as the health of normal mice. Finally, we further found that OM-100 significantly increased the production of ROS in liver cancer cells (P < 0.05), a key factor in inducing autophagy, which is very important for the progression of liver cancer.

Conclusion: Our findings reveal the safety of OM-100 and its frequency at 100 kHz significantly inhibits liver cancer progression.

Keywords: Invasion; Liver cancer; Low-frequency magnetic fields; Migration; Proliferation; Tumor treating instrument; Xenograft tumor model.

Fig. 1

Exposure system and low-frequency magnetic fields (LFMFs) of OM-100. A Photo of the exposure system. B Magnetic field waveform. X-axis represents the time unit; y-axis represents gain mV. C, D Scheme of the exposure system. According to the experiment results, the effects of continuous wave and pulse wave are basically same. To save energy, pluse wave was used in this device

Fig. 2

OM-100 inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in liver cancer cell lines. A The animal experiment. B Cell viability of normal human liver cells (THLE-2) under varying LFMF frequencies (0, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 150 kHz) at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. C Cell viability of liver cancer cell lines (HepG2, Huh7) under varying LFMF frequencies (0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 kHz) at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. . D Apoptosis rates in HepG2 and Huh7 cells following OM-100 treatment at a 100 kHz frequency for 72 h. E Colony formation capability of HepG2 and Huh7 cells after OM-100 treatment at a 100 kHz frequency for 72 h. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. HepG2 and Huh7 cells were treated with 100 kHz and 1.066 mT of OM-100 for 72 h

Fig. 3

OM-100 inhibits migration and invasion in the liver cancer cell lines. A Transwell migration assay results for HepG2 and Huh7 cells. B Transwell invasion assay results for HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Scale bar = 50 μm; **P < 0.01. HepG2 and Huh7 cells were treated with 100 kHz and 1.066 mT of OM-100 for 72 h

Fig. 4

OM-100 induces ROS production in liver cancer cell lines. Comparative ROS levels in HepG2 and Huh7 cells. **P < 0.01. HepG2 and Huh7 cells were treated with 100 kHz and 1.066 mT of OM-100 for 72 h

Fig. 5

Impacts of OM-100 on normal mice. A Body weight of normal nude mice. B Histopathological examination of organ tissues. Scale bar = 50 μm; Mice were treated with 1.066 mT of OM-100 at 100 kHz for 24 days

Fig. 6

Effects of OM-100 on blood routine indicators and biochemical indicators in normal mice. A Levels of blood routine indicators in mice. B Levels of biochemical indicators in mice. Mice were treated with 1.066 mT of OM-100 at 100 kHz for 24 days

Fig. 7

OM-100 suppresses tumor growth and promotes apoptosis in liver xenograft tumor model mice. A Model mice and tumors. B Tumor volume in liver cancer xenograft mice. C Tumor weights of OM-100-treated and untreated liver cancer xenograft mice after 24 days. D Apoptosis levels in tumor tissues of OM-100-treated and untreated liver cancer xenograft mice; Scale bar = 50 μm. **P < 0.01. Liver tumor xenograft model mice were treated with 1.066 mT of OM-100 at 100 kHz for 24 days