A groundbreaking study led by researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has revealed a new drug-free, non-invasive approach to stimulate muscle cells, which could potentially revolutionize cancer therapy and biomarker discovery.
Associate Professor Alfredo Franco-Obregón and his team at the NUS Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech) have developed a method using brief and mild pulsed electromagnetic field exposure to produce and release proteins with anticancer properties from muscle cells. These proteins can then circulate in the bloodstream, providing systemic protection against cancer.
The study, published in Cells on March 5, 2024, demonstrated that this novel approach mimics the anticancer effects of exercise, which is known to reduce the risk of developing various types of cancer and improve survival rates in cancer patients. However, many cancer patients may not be able to exercise due to the effects of the disease and its treatments.
By stimulating muscle cells with magnetic therapy, the researchers found that the cells could inhibit breast cancer cell growth, invasion, and migration, as well as shrink tumors and reduce blood vessel formation. The study also identified a specific protein, HTRA1, secreted by muscle cells exposed to magnetic fields, which was found to have potent anticancer effects.
The team is now moving forward with clinical trials to assess the anticancer potential of muscle-targeted magnetic therapy in humans and to further investigate other potential anticancer biomarkers produced by muscle cells. This innovative approach could lead to the development of new drug-free therapeutics and personalized cancer treatments based on the natural defenses of muscle cells.
For more information on this groundbreaking research, visit https://news.nus.edu.sg/muscle-cells-natural-defences-against-cancer-using-magnetic-pulses.