Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) is a non-invasive, device-based cancer therapy that delivers low-intensity (1–3 V/cm), intermediate-frequency (100–300 kHz) alternating electric fields to the site of tumors via transducer arrays placed on the skin above the tumor location. TTFields selectively disrupt dividing cancer cells by interfering with mitotic spindle formation and cytokinesis, ultimately causing mitotic arrest and cell death. Unlike molecular targets (e.g., enzymes or receptors), TTFields acts physically through biophysical mechanisms. Approved for glioblastoma and malignant pleural mesothelioma, TTFields is being investigated in other solid tumors. The therapy can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapies, with typical side effects limited to skin reactions under electrodes.

Other names

alternating electric fieldsTTFields therapytumor-treating fields

Disruption of mitotic spindle assembly via electric field interference with microtubule dipoles; Induction of metaphase arrest and abnormal mitosis leading to cell death; Dielectrophoresis: forces charged/polar molecules (e.g., proteins) away from cleavage furrow, producing cytokinesis failure and apoptosis; Enhancement of cancer cell sensitivity to drugs by increasing membrane permeability; Stimulation of immune clearance of tumor cells.