Spin Chemistry as a Means to Kill Cancer by Magnetic Fields

Abstract

Numerous studies undoubtedly convince that magnetic fields inhibit cancer cell growth or just kill them, but almost have no effect on the healthy cells. The subject of the review is to elucidate this enigmatic phenomenon and suggest its mechanism. Spin selective radical pair reactions, which induce magnetic effects in cancer biochemistry and result to the death of cancer cells, are suggested and analyzed. Permanent magnetic fields and electromagnetic fields are assumed to switch on spin selective mechanism of p53 phosphorylation, stimulating anti-cancer function of this protein. The idea to use ferromagnetic nanoparticles to induce local magnetic fields in tumors and stimulate the death of cancer cells is suggested. Magnetic fields induced by magnetic nuclei of isotopic ions ²⁵Mg²⁺, ⁴³Ca²⁺, and ⁶⁷Zn²⁺ strongly, by 2–3 times, inhibit catalytic activity of DNA polymerases; these ions, delivered into the cancer cells by specially designed nano-containers, induce their extremely high mortality. Magnetic effects on cancer biochemistry may be considered as the new anti-cancer platform in practical medicine, similarly to trans-cranial magnetic technology in modern medicine to prevent cognitive deceases and mental disorders.