Human Biofield Therapy Modulates Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Stemness in Mouse Lung Carcinoma

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated that purported biofield therapy emitted from humans can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and suppress tumor growth in various cancers. We explored the effects of biofield therapy on tumor growth in the Lewis lung carcinoma and expanded mechanistic outcomes. We found biofield therapy did not inhibit tumor growth. However, the experimental (Ex) condition exposed tumors had a significantly higher percentage of necrosis (24.4 ± 6.8%) compared with that of the Control condition (6.5 ± 2.7%; P < .02) and cleaved caspase-3 positive cells were almost 2.3-fold higher ( P < .05). Similarly, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes profiling showed that CD8+/CD45+ immune cell population was significantly increased by 2.7-fold in Ex condition ( P < .01) whereas the number of intratumoral FoxP3+/CD4+ (T-reg cells) was 30.4% lower than that of the Control group ( P = .01), leading to a significant 3.1-fold increase in the ratio of CD8+/T-reg cells ( P < .01). Additionally, there was a 51% lower level of strongly stained CD68+ cells ( P < .01), 57.9% lower level of F4/80high/CD206+ (M2 macrophages; P < .02) and a significant 1.8-fold increase of the ratio of M1/M2 macrophages ( P < .02). Furthermore, Ex exposure resulted in a 15% reduction of stem cell marker CD44 and a significant 33% reduction of SOX2 compared with that of the Controls ( P < .02). The Ex group also engaged in almost 50% less movement throughout the session than the Controls. These findings suggest that exposure to purported biofields from a human is capable of enhancing cancer cell death, in part mediated through modification of the tumor microenvironment and stemness of tumor cells in mouse Lewis lung carcinoma model. Future research should focus on defining the optimal treatment duration, replication with different biofield therapists, and exploring the mechanisms of action.