Static magnetic field and alternating magnetic field cytotoxic effects on triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231)

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is described as the most aggressive subtype of breast cancer. TNBC is characterized by the absence of three receptors commonly found in other breast cancer subtypes: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It has a high metastasis capacity, Poor prognosis, and shows a high incidence among young African women with the BRCA1 gene mutation. Thus, TNBC patients are left with limited treatment options. Herein, the magnetic field is chosen as a non-invasive treatment that eliminates the side effects of other conventional therapeutic options. MDA-MB-231 cells were exposed to two types of magnetic fields: a static magnetic field (SMF) and an alternating magnetic field (AMF), with varying intensities and durations. Both SMF and AMF showed cytotoxic effects; cells showed a decrease in viability to percentages up to 58.14 ± 5.51% after exposure to SMF, and 51.17 ± 3.53 % after exposure to AMF, changes in morphological features, changes in populations in cell cycle stages-accumulation in [Formula: see text]/ [Formula: see text] phases and decrease of population in S and [Formula: see text] phases, and a reduction in the total antioxidant capacity of cells to 74.8 ± 0.009 % after exposure to SMF and 89.97 ± 0.006 % after exposure to AMF due to a cytoskeletal disruption. These findings support the use of magnetic fields as a non-invasive alternative to conventional therapies, with further investigation for clinical applications.