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Biophysical Effects of Tumor Treating Fields

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Alternating Electric Fields Therapy in Oncology

Abstract

The effects of applied electric fields on biological cells have been a frequently discussed topic within the last decades. Analytical descriptions and theoretical investigations lead to numerous cell characterization and manipulation techniques which were translated into clinical applications. Low-frequency alternating current (AC) fields are employed for nerve and muscle stimulation, while high-frequency fields find medical relevance in tissue heating or tumor ablation. The biological effects of intermediate frequency fields in the kHz region have just recently being discovered. One evolving technique is a cancer treatment modality called Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) that makes use of the characteristic antimitotic effect of low-intensity (1 to 3 V/cm) and intermediate-frequency (100 to 300 kHz) AC fields. Computational modeling can be used to predict the electric field distribution in and around the quiescent and dividing cell due to the application of an AC field with a frequency in this intermediate region. Our results confirmed several predicted outcomes of TTField application. During metaphase a nonzero intracellular field strength E i is induced in the cell. The frequency above which E i approaches the extracellular field strength depends on the cell’s dielectric properties. During cytokinesis a non-uniform E i is induced, with increased strength at the furrow. Frequency, cell size, and cell shape dependencies were confirmed. Future insights into the biophysical effects of alternating electric fields may be gained through computational modeling at the subcellular level or at the level of cell assemblies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal

    Cornelia Wenger Dr.techn. & Pedro C. Miranda Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Cornelia Wenger Dr.techn.
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  2. Pedro C. Miranda Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Cornelia Wenger Dr.techn. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neuro-Oncology Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Eric T. Wong

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Wenger, C., Miranda, P.C. (2016). Biophysical Effects of Tumor Treating Fields. In: Wong, E. (eds) Alternating Electric Fields Therapy in Oncology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30576-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30576-9_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-30574-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-30576-9

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