A recent study published in Advanced Photonics Research investigated the effects of high-power terahertz (THz) radiation on DNA methylation in cancer cells.
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The authors focused on frequency-dependent demethylation, particularly around 1.6 THz, to explore the potential of THz radiation for non-invasive modulation of epigenetic markers.
The work offers insight into the molecular-level impact of THz waves and their potential use in future cancer therapies.
Terahertz Technology for Medical Therapies
THz radiation, spanning 0.1 to 10 THz, occupies a distinct portion of the electromagnetic spectrum and is characterized by low photon energy. This allows it to interact with biological molecules such as DNA and proteins without inducing ionization, making it suitable for non-invasive imaging, sensing, and potential therapeutic applications.
Advancements in THz generation and detection, particularly THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS), have enabled detailed analysis of light–matter interactions and molecular resonances. The development of high-power THz sources has expanded the scope of research into ultrafast control of material properties.
Although strong absorption by water vapor presents challenges, the non-ionizing nature of THz waves and their sensitivity to molecular structure continue to support their relevance in biomedical research, including studies focused on cancer.
Investigating the Effects of High-Power THz Waves
The authors developed a compact, high-power THz system capable of generating up to 10 mW of radiation with a spectral range extending to 2.5 THz. Utilizing the pulse-front tilting method in a prism-cut lithium niobate (LiNbO3) crystal, this tabletop setup was optimized to enhance output near the 1.6 THz region, a frequency suitable for resonating cancer DNA.
To investigate the effects of this specific frequency, the study fabricated metamaterial-based band-pass and notch filters, which selectively transmitted or suppressed the 1.6 THz components. Human cancer cell lines (SK-MEL-3, SK-MEL-28, and MCF-7) were used to extract genomic DNA, which was dried to eliminate water vapor interference.
The samples were vertically irradiated for approximately 30 minutes under various spectral filtering conditions. DNA methylation levels were measured post-irradiation using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This experimental design allowed the researchers to systematically assess the contribution of the 1.6 THz resonant frequency to the demethylation of cancer DNA in a controlled environment.
Impacts of Epigenetic Modulation on Cancer DNA
The results demonstrated that high-power THz radiation significantly reduced global methylation levels in cancer DNA, mainly at a frequency of 1.6 THz.
When a 1.6 THz band-pass filter was used, methylation levels dropped by 18 % in MCF-7, 39 % in SK-MEL-3, and 27 % in SK-MEL-28 cell lines compared to untreated controls. In contrast, very low changes were observed when a 1.6 THz notch filter was used, highlighting the critical role of the 1.6 THz frequency in mediating the demethylation process.
The researchers suggested that this effect is attributed to the disruption of bonds between methyl groups and cytosine in 5-methylcytosines (5-mC), commonly found in CpG islands. While the photon energy of THz waves alone may be insufficient to break these bonds, resonance at 1.6 THz likely allows energy buildup that leads to bond breakage.
The experiments were conducted in a water-free environment to ensure accuracy, minimizing heat accumulation and potential artifacts caused by water interactions. This approach effectively addressed the limitations of earlier studies and allowed a clearer understanding of the role of molecular resonance in DNA demethylation.
Real-World Applications in Cancer Research
The findings support the potential use of THz radiation for targeted modulation of epigenetic markers. Abnormal methylation patterns are a hallmark of many cancers, and selective demethylation could offer a pathway to regulate gene expression without introducing genetic damage. The ability to target specific frequencies enhances the possibility of customizing treatment based on tumor-specific molecular profiles.
Due to its non-ionizing nature, THz radiation may also be suitable for repeated or long-duration exposures in therapeutic or diagnostic settings. The demonstrated sensitivity to specific methylation states could further inform the development of label-free epigenetic imaging tools.
Future Directions
This study demonstrated that high-power THz radiation at 1.6 THz can induce measurable reductions in DNA methylation in cancer cell lines.
By isolating a resonant frequency and establishing its direct link to epigenetic change, the authors provided a foundation for future work on frequency-selective THz therapies. The results also contribute to a broader understanding of non-ionizing radiation effects at the molecular level.
Further research is needed to map site-specific demethylation patterns and to assess long-term biological outcomes. Studies in living cells and tissues will be critical for evaluating biocompatibility and potential therapeutic windows.
The integration of THz technology with biomedical platforms may support new non-invasive approaches to cancer treatment and epigenetic modulation.
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Journal Reference
Kim, C., et al. (2025). Frequency-Dependent Demethylation of Cancer DNAs by High-Power Terahertz Radiation. Advanced Photonics Research. DOI: 10.1002/adpr.202400231, https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adpr.202400231
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