Magnetic field induced inhibition of human osteosarcoma cells treated with adriamycin.

Morbidity resulting from the toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs suggests that novel approaches are worthy of investigation. Development of the use of low intensity magnetic fields as an adjuvant to current treatment regimens to prevent metastatic disease may prove to be efficacious. Using a cell culture model, we have developed a magnetic field (MF) treatment that offers the possibility of lowering the therapeutic dose of these drugs and thereby reducing morbidity. Our studies have found that a low intensity (approximately 2 gauss) MF signal and a relatively low dose (0.1 microg/ml) of Adriamycin (ADR) inhibited proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells by 82%, whereas the MF and ADR acting individually caused only 19% and 44% inhibition, respectively.