Effects of pulsed electric field and burst electromagnetic wave on cancer cells

Summary form only given. Bioelectrics, a branch of scientific research dealing with effects of pulsed power on biological objects, has been advancing during recent years¹. Authors had an interest in results of applying sub-nanosecond pulsed electric fields to cancer cells. Application of sub-nanosecond pulsed electric field induces apoptosis to the cancer cell². So far sub-nanosecond pulsed electric fields have been applied to malignant cells using electrodes. The electrodes have an influence on the site of electrical stimulus. Therefore, authors considered the development of a non-invasive cancer treatment system. In this system, burst electromagnetic waves focus on the tumor using an ellipsoidal reflector. Burst electromagnetic waves were characterized by a high-frequency and narrow band signal over a very short duration. Our previous research indicated the high frequency signal affects the nuclear membrane and nucleoplasm, thus apoptosis were briefly induced to cancer cells applying a high frequency signal than a low frequency signal. The electric field was enhanced at the focal point of the ellipsoidal reflector since the ellipsoid has the characteristics of focusing electromagnetic waves emitted from the focal point to the second focal point. This paper presents the influence of simultaneously applying pulse electric field and burst electromagnetic wave to cancer cells in order to induce efficient apoptosis.