Device: Intrabuccally-administered amplitude-modulated RFEM
Generation of amplitude-modulated electromagnetic fields: the device consists of a battery-driven radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic field generator connected to a 1.5 meter long 50 Ohm coaxial cable, to the other end of which a spoon-shaped mouthpiece made of steel is connected with the inner conductor. The RF source of the device corresponds to a high-level amplitude-modulated class C amplifier operating at 27.12 MHz. The modulation frequency can be varied between 0.01 Hz and 150 kHz with a modulation depth of 85 ± 5%. The RF output is adjusted to 100 mW into a 50 Ohm load using a sinusoidal modulated test signal, which results in an emitting power identical to that of the device used in the treatment of insomnia (Pasche et al 1996, 19:327-336).

We have previously shown that the intrabuccal administration of low and safe levels of electromagnetic fields, amplitude-modulated at a frequency of 42.7 Hz by means of a battery-powered portable device modifies the electroencephalographic activity of healthy subjects (1, 2) and is associated with subjective and objective relaxation effects (3). These results prompted us to study the effects of the 42.7 Hz frequency in patients suffering from insomnia. A randomized control trial did not reveal any difference between 42.7 Hz treatment and placebo (4) but sequential administration of four insomnia-specific frequencies, including 42.7 Hz, resulted in a significant decrease in sleep latency and a significant increase in total sleep time in patients suffering from chronic insomnia (5). Dosimetric studies have shown that the amount of electromagnetic fields delivered to the brain of patients with this approach is 100 to 1000 times lower than the amount of electromagnetic fields delivered by handheld cellular phones and do not result in any heating effect within the brain (4). The U.S. FDA has determined that such a device is not a significant risk device. Lastly, a long-term follow-up survey of 807 patients who have received this therapy revealed that the rate of adverse reactions were low and were not associated with increases in the incidence of malignancy or coronary heart disease (6).

Given the advantageous safety profile of athermal, non-ionizing radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and the emerging evidence that low levels of electromagnetic or electric fields may modify the growth of tumor cells (7-9), we decided to test the hypothesis that low levels of electromagnetic fields modulated at tumor-specific frequencies may alter the growth of human malignancies. We have developed a novel patient-based biofeedback method with the goal to identify cancer-specific frequencies and have examined patients with this approach. Following identification of such frequencies in a total of 163 patients, we will offer compassionate treatment to 28 patients with advanced cancer and limited palliative therapeutic options.