Non-Thermal Radio Frequency Stimulation of Tubulin Polymerization in Vitro: A Potential Therapy for Cancer Treatment

John T Butters,Bennett Michael Butters,Xavier A Figueroa

doi:10.4236/ojbiphy.2014.44015

Abstract

The use of radio frequency energy is an established technology for certain oncology therapies. Direct inputs of radio frequency (RF) energy as thermal energy are applied to ablate tumors or catalyze secondary reactions in adjunct treatments against certain tumor types. Yet, other applications are being developed which take advantage of properties of RFs that impinge on biological proteins and cells without thermal effects. Here we report a proof-of-concept application of specific, digitally encoded, low power (non-thermal) radio frequency energy in an in vitro preparation of a tubulin polymerization assay. The radio frequency energy signal, designated M2(3), was applied to the tubulin polymerization assay samples during spectrophotometric measurements to assess the effectiveness for enhancing tubulin polymerization. A commercially available taxane (paclitaxel) that promotes tubulin polymerization was used as a control to assess the effectiveness of the M2(3) radio frequency energy signal on tubulin polymerization rates. A low power, specific, digital radio frequency energy signal is capable of promoting tubulin polymerization as effectively as a commercially available taxane.

Highlights

The taxanes and vinka alkyloids are currently the onlyHow to cite this paper: Butters, J.T., Figueroa, X.A. and Butters, B.M. (2014) Non-Thermal Radio Frequency Stimulation of Tubulin Polymerization in Vitro: A Potential Therapy for Cancer Treatment
Using a commercially available tubulin polymerization assay, we demonstrate that a non-thermal radio frequency energy (RFE) signal can inhibit tubulin depolymerization and promote tubulin polymerization in much the same way as a taxane
Signals emitted by the taxane solution in the MIDS recording chamber were acquired over an 18 hour sampling run, with repeated one-minute measures, of the same sample with no DC offset and a range of DC offsets applied during recordings

Summary

Introduction

The taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel, docetaxel) and vinka alkyloids (e.g., vinblastine, vinorelbine) are currently the onlyHow to cite this paper: Butters, J.T., Figueroa, X.A. and Butters, B.M. (2014) Non-Thermal Radio Frequency Stimulation of Tubulin Polymerization in Vitro: A Potential Therapy for Cancer Treatment. The binding of taxanes enhances polymerization of the tubulin into stable microtubules and inhibits microtubule depolymerization, inducing stable microtubule bundles, inhibiting cell division and inducing apoptosis [2]-[4]. In the case of brain tumors, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) greatly inhibits the entry of a wide variety of drugs and molecules [7], making CNS localized cancers difficult to treat. The ability of cancer cells to exclude or develop resistance to the effects of the chemotherapy agents [8][12] reduces the efficacy of taxanes over time. The systemic administration of these mitosis inhibitors targets non-cancerous cells and can produce a variety of side effects, which limit treatment options

Methods

Results

Conclusion