The Effects of 900-MHz Mobile Phone Radiation on Survival and Proliferation Rate of Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells: An In-vitro Study

Nowadays, investigation of the biological effects of mobile phones is important due to increasing use of these devices. This study aimed to assess the effects of exposure with 900-MHz mobile phone radiation on survival and proliferation of breast cancer Michigan cancer foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells.
Breast cancer MCF-7 cells was used and divided into 3 radiation groups which located at 10 and 20 cm from Global System Mobile Communication (GSM) antenna signal simulator that is able to produce electromagnetic waves with a frequency of 900 MHz. The cells were exposed 6, 15 and 30 minutes per day with an interval of 10 minutes during exposure time for 3 and 5 days, respectively. After 3 and 5 days, MTT assay [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] was used to evaluate the growth and viability. Trypan blue test was done to assess the rate of cells proliferation. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software.
Findings: Irradiation times and periods of 3 and 5 days had a significant impact on viability of MCF-7 cells (P 0.05).
The results showed that 900-MHz radio-frequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) signal radiation may reduce cell viability and proliferation rates of the MCF-7 cells regarding to the duration of exposure.