Inhibiting Human Breast Cancer Cells (MCF-7) with Alternating Micro-current at Intermediate Frequency (ACIF) in Vitro and in Vivo

The aim of the present study is to investigate the inhibitory efficacy of alternating micro-current at intermediate frequency (ACIF) to human breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, and explore the underlying mechanisms. The optimum parameters of ACIF in inhabiting MCF-7 cells were selected in vitro, by stimulating the cells with ACIF in different patterns. It was found that the inhibition rates changed according to different parameters. Then, cells stimulated with ACIF were observed under an electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and the cell morphous was found changed. Cell cycles were also altered by applying ACIF. Tumor-bearing female BALB/c nude mice were randomized divided into either ACIF-stimulating group or control group. Compared with the control mice, the mean tumor volume was reduced significantly, and the body weight of tumor-bearing nude mice increased. No apparent toxic side effect associated with the treatment was found. In conclusion, ACIF could inhibit the growth of MCF-7 tumor cells in vitro and in vivo, and it may be explored as a new tumor treatment modality.