Overview of Tumor Treatment Fields in Oncology
Cancer is one of the main causes of death around the world. Traditional treatments for cancer often come with serious side effects. As we continue to learn more about how cancer forms and why some treatments aren’t effective, we’re constantly finding new ways to battle this illness.
One new strategy uses electric fields of medium frequency and low strength to fight cancer. These electric fields interfere with the cancer cells’ ability to multiply. They are sent into the body through ceramic devices placed on the skin, directly aimed at the tumor, and do not require any invasive procedures.
This method, known as Tumor-treating fields (TTF), is recognized and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an additional treatment for a type of brain cancer known as glioblastoma, whether it’s a new diagnosis or a recurrence of the disease.
Anatomy and Physiology of Tumor Treatment Fields in Oncology
Our cells divide all the time, and it’s a process that requires certain molecules and tiny structures inside the cell, called organelles. These all need to be in the right place at the right time for cell division to happen. Now, interestingly, these molecules and organelles can be affected by electrical fields, which are areas where electricity can affect things. When an outside electrical field is applied, it messes up the usual movement and organization of these molecules, and this can disrupt cell division. Let’s break this all down:
1. Effect on Alignment: Think of a dipole as a magnet with a positive and a negative end. In a cell, many molecules act like dipoles and are sensitive to external electric fields. When an outside electrical field is applied, these dipole molecules line up along the direction of the field. This causes issues, because they end up aligning in a way that stops cell division. For example, a protein called tubulin can’t assemble into a structure that is needed for cell division, which then comes to a halt.
2. Effect on Location: Given the uneven nature of electric fields, certain molecules tend to pile up in areas with a higher concentration of electricity. Therefore, they might end up in the wrong place at the wrong time in the process of cell division. This displacement can mess up the process.
A good example of how external electric fields can impact cell division can be seen with the septin protein complex. These molecules usually move to the middle of the cell when it’s dividing. However, they can be pulled out of place by high electric fields, which are stronger because of the narrowed shape of the dividing cell. While this isn’t usually an issue for normal tissue, skin cells, which divide more often, can be affected. There’s also evidence suggesting that these alternate electric fields may change oncogenes like p53, genes which can contribute to cancer when altered.
It’s also worth noting that research has shown that the use of tiny particles called nanoparticles, combined with these alternative electric fields, can enhance their cancer-fighting effects.
Why do People Need Tumor Treatment Fields in Oncology
TTF, or Tumor Treating Fields, is a type of therapy that uses electric fields to treat cancer. It’s been approved for use in certain types of brain cancer and is currently being studied for other types of cancer too.
For example, TTF has been approved for use in the treatment of glioblastoma, a serious brain tumor. These tumors grow quickly and often recur after treatment, making them difficult to manage. In 2011 and 2015, TTF was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in recurring glioblastoma, and for newly diagnosed glioblastoma. In a medical trial, the use of TTF was found to increase the average survival time from 16 to 20.9 months, which is a positive result for such a serious condition.
TTF is also being researched as a potential treatment for pancreatic cancer. This research is focused on advanced-stage cancers, which are typically harder to treat. The idea behind the research is that TTF could be combined with other cancer treatments, like gemcitabine, to improve results. This is currently being tested in a clinical trial called PANOVA.
Other research is underway to test TTF in the treatment of ovarian cancer, specifically in recurrent ovarian cancer. Initial trials seem to show that TTF can be safely used in combination with the cancer drug paclitaxel.
There is also research being done on TTF use in non-small cell lung carcinoma (a type of lung cancer), and malignant mesothelioma (a cancer affecting the lining of the chest and abdomen). The FDA has already approved TTF as a first-line treatment for the latter when it can’t be removed with surgery.
Apart from these types of cancer, scientists are exploring if TTF could be used in the treatment of breast cancer, kidney cancer, colorectal cancer, and liver cancer. Further studying and testing need to happen before we know if this will be possible.
The future of TTF treatment isn’t entirely clear yet. Scientists are still learning about the long-term effects and the best ways to use this technology to treat cancers most effectively.
When a Person Should Avoid Tumor Treatment Fields in Oncology
There are no major reasons why someone should avoid using TTF (Tumor Treating Fields), a medical device used for cancer treatment. Even though the company that makes TTF advises caution for people who have other medical devices implanted in their bodies, like pacemakers or deep brain stimulation electrodes, research shows TTF has not been harmful to these patients.
However, if a person already has a skin condition, they might experience more skin problems when using TTF. This is because TTF can sometimes lead to skin reactions like allergies or contact dermatitis, which can make the existing skin condition worse.
Equipment used for Tumor Treatment Fields in Oncology
The TTF device is a medical tool that creates and sends electrical fields into the body. This device has a part called an electric field generator, which creates the electric fields, and another part called transducer arrays, which help deliver these fields into the patient’s body in a specific way. What’s handy is that the device can be stored in a backpack, making it portable for patients to move around with throughout their day.
The device is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that usually needs to be charged overnight. There’s also a part of the device known as the ‘transducer coils’, which need to be replaced every 3 or 4 days to keep the device working optimally.
If you are suffering from a type of brain cancer called glioblastoma and need to use this device, it’s important to know that your scalp hair needs to be shaved off. This ensures that there is a good connection between the transducer arrays (part of the TTF device) and your scalp, allowing the device to work properly and effectively.
How is Tumor Treatment Fields in Oncology performed
Treatment using Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) is specially tailored to the individual characteristics of a person’s tumor, such as its size, shape, and where it’s located in the body. Specialized software is used to decide on the best placement of the treatment pads on the outside of the body to deliver the most effective treatment to the tumor.
The software also takes into account the shape and specific location of the tumor to make these decisions. The strength (or intensity) and direction of the electric field from the treatment can be simulated on a computer. These simulations help further perfect the setup for each individual patient, ensuring they get the most effective treatment possible.
Possible Complications of Tumor Treatment Fields in Oncology
Side effects of TTF (Tumor Treating Fields) therapy are usually mild to moderate, and mostly involve skin problems such as dermatitis, or skin inflammation, in the area where the TTF device is applied. This issue is most frequently reported in patients with a brain cancer called glioblastoma, where the rate of dermatitis can be anywhere from 16 to 43%. The skin problem typically appears from 2 to 6 weeks after the therapy starts.
Even if dermatitis occurs, it can generally be managed easily with treatments like topical steroids and antibiotics, oral antibiotics, and protection of the affected skin area.
Folks tend to stick to TTF therapy quite well, which suggests it’s a safe treatment option, at least for the limited time period that we have data for. We will learn more about any long-term effects and complications of TTF therapy as more research on this topic is published in the future.
What Else Should I Know About Tumor Treatment Fields in Oncology?
TTF, or Tumor Treating Fields, is a new treatment method currently being researched. At the moment, we don’t know what the long-term effects might be. However, we’re hopeful because the early results are looking good. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which oversees drug and treatment safety, has already given TTF a green light for use in treating a very aggressive type of brain cancer that has come back (known as recurrent glioblastoma).
There are also ongoing studies to see if TTF can be used for treating other types of cancer, like pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer (specifically non-small cell lung carcinoma), and mesothelioma. Plus, researchers are looking into whether TTF might improve the results of other cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy (radiotherapy), and treatments that use your body’s immune system to fight cancer (immunotherapy).
So how does TTF work? It involves the fine-tuning of physical parameters, which is a fancy way of saying it uses electric fields to interrupt cancer cell growth. Scientists are further studying the best ways to use TTF, which will hopefully improve this innovative cancer treatment method even more.