Ultra-high or moderate static magnetic fields combined with Platycodin D against lung cancer: A safety study

Due to the serious side effects of chemotherapy drugs against lung cancer, and the antitumor properties and high safety of magnetic fields, the present study combined moderate or ultra-high intensity static magnetic fields (SMFs) with platycodin D (PD) to explore its antitumor efficiency and biosafety. The antitumor effects of PD with or without moderate and ultra-high SMFs on A549 cells-bearing mice were compared. Mouse body weight, food/water intake, hematology routine, blood biochemistry, tumor weight, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were examined. Behavior was measured by elevated plus maze, open field and vital signs tests. The combined targets of PD and SMFs were detected by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). The results showed that the antitumor effect of the 22 T SMF group was 3.6-fold higher than that of the 2 mg/kg PD group (TGI =10.08%), while the antitumor effect of 150 mT SMF was only 1.56-fold higher than that of PD . Although PD reduced the food intake, there was no significant difference in body weight, water intake or food consumption among the PD and SMFs groups. The results of behavioral tests indicated that PD ameliorated dysphoria in mice, while SMFs reduced this effect. However, no significant abnormalities were found in routine blood analysis, blood biochemistry test, H&E staining or organ index, with the exception of renal index, which was reduced by PD with or without SMFs. RNA-seq demonstrated that SMFs and PD collaboratively targeted the expression of genes associated with tumor growth, inflammations and psychiatry . The present study showed the antitumor efficacy and biosafety of moderate or ultra-high SMF combined with PD, which exhibited only few side effects in the treatment of lung cancer, thus supporting further research for the clinical application of magnetic fields .