Cancer is not just a genetic disease—it is also an electrical one. Malignant cells often exhibit altered membrane potential, ion channel dysregulation, and disrupted cell-cell electrical signaling. These bioelectric shifts aren’t just byproducts of transformation—they help drive it. At Electrome, we’re building targeted, non-invasive electromagnetic therapies to interrupt those signals, recondition tumor microenvironments, and re-sensitize cancer cells to conventional treatments.
The Electrical Signature of Malignancy
Normal cells maintain a tightly regulated resting membrane potential (RMP), typically hyperpolarized to around -60 to -90 mV. Cancer cells, in contrast, are often significantly depolarized—showing voltages closer to -20 to -40 mV. This change is more than diagnostic; it’s functional. Membrane depolarization activates voltage-gated calcium channels, upregulates proliferation pathways (e.g., MAPK, PI3K), and promotes transcription factors linked to invasion and metastasis.
Targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) and low-frequency alternating current (LFAC) stimulation can selectively modulate these electrical parameters to:
- Re-polarize cancer cells toward physiological RMP
- Disrupt mitotic spindle orientation and cytokinesis
- Inhibit pro-tumorigenic gene expression
- Modulate tumor-associated immune and stromal cells
In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence
Multiple studies have shown that specific signal profiles can suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis in malignant cells without harming normal tissue. For example:
- In breast cancer (MCF-7) and colon cancer (SW480) cell lines, low-frequency PEMF (~20–50 Hz) reduced mitotic activity and triggered intrinsic apoptotic pathways.
- Murine xenograft models exposed to intermittent PEMF showed slower tumor growth, decreased vascularization, and upregulation of p53 and caspase-9.
- Time-varying electric fields (e.g., Tumor Treating Fields, or TTFs) have already gained FDA clearance in glioblastoma, validating the concept of mitotic disruption via non-invasive EM energy.
Electrome builds upon this paradigm with programmable dosing profiles designed to modulate membrane potential, calcium signaling, and immune co-activation within the tumor microenvironment.
Tumor Microenvironment Modulation
Beyond intrinsic cancer cell signaling, PEMF can affect the broader milieu in which tumors grow. Research indicates that:
- PEMF can increase local oxygenation and perfusion via nitric oxide (NO)–mediated vasodilation
- Macrophage phenotype can be shifted from M2 (pro-tumor) to M1 (anti-tumor)
- PEMF-treated tumors exhibit reduced levels of VEGF and IL-6, markers associated with angiogenesis and immune suppression
These effects open the door to synergistic use with checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive T-cell therapy, or targeted biologics.
Toward Personalized, Non-Toxic Oncology Protocols
Electrome is advancing oncology-specific signal libraries tailored to tumor type, stage, and treatment context. These protocols are designed to:
- Complement chemotherapy by enhancing tumor vulnerability
- Improve tolerability and reduce required dosages
- Extend remission periods through tumor dormancy re-induction
- Avoid off-target toxicity and systemic burden
Because our therapies are non-thermal, non-ionizing, and non-cytotoxic to healthy tissue, they can be safely integrated into standard-of-care regimens or used for patients unable to tolerate conventional therapy.
Selected Citations & Resources
- Funk RH, et al. “Electromagnetic effects–from cell biology to medicine.” Prog Histochem Cytochem. 2009;43(4):177–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proghi.2008.07.001
- Kirson ED, et al. “Disruption of cancer cell replication by alternating electric fields.” Cancer Res. 2004;64(9):3288–3295. https://doi.org/10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-03-3398
- Muehsam D, et al. “Biological effects of low-frequency electric and magnetic fields: the dose-response relationship.” Bioelectromagnetics. 2015;36(6):421–430. https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.21920
- Pall ML. “Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects.” J Cell Mol Med. 2013;17(8):958–965. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcmm.12088
- Zimmerman JW, et al. “Cancer cell proliferation is inhibited by specific modulation frequencies.” Br J Cancer. 2012;106(2):307–313. https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.2011.523
To join our oncology signal trials or inquire about licensing opportunities, contact our clinical team at oncology@electrotx.com or through the partner portal.