Bioelectric and Biomagnetic Methods for Cancer Research and Therapy-A Survey

Possibilities and trends of adjuvant bioelectrochemical and bioelectromagnetic treatments of cancer on the cellular, animal, and patient levels are presented. Currently, DC electrotherapy, pulse electrochemotherapy, and pulse electrogenetherapy are used widely and successfully to treat tumors. However, needle electrodes have to be inserted into the tumor region for pulse applications (about E < 2 kV/cm). Only for skin carcinoma are caliper electrodes placed directly outside on the skin. Pulsating electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and sinusoidal electromagnetic fields (SEMF) (B > 5 mT) generated by Helmholtz coils or solenoids offer a novel noninvasive cancerostatic possibility. However, despite effective treatment of various cancer cells and cancerous animals the therapy of cancer patients, unfortunately, is still in the very beginning, partially because of impeding regulations. Nevertheless this adjuvant noninvasive therapy in synergistic combination with cancerostatic agents, hyperthermia, and photodynamics has great promise for the near future.