Application prospect of tumor treating fields technology in head and neck cancer

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2023.05.001

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, major breakthroughs have been made in the treatment of malignant tumours with research and development progress of immunologic agents and molecular targeted drugs, but it is still the main cause of global disease death. Tumour treating fields (TTFields) is a new non-invasive approach to cancer treatment. TTFields can provide a kind of low-intensity (1-3 V/cm), intermediate frequency (100-300 kHz) alternating electric fields delivered locally to the tumour, which can destroy the chromosome segregation of mitotic tumour cells and induce dielectrophoresis to arise cell structure disturbance and apoptosis. The sensitive parameters of TTFields for normal and cancerous cells are different, but TTFields has no effect on quiescent cells. Hence, it has the advantages of fewer side effects and less trauma, and has great potential. Additionally, its efficacy and safety have been verified in phase III clinical trials of glioblastoma multiforme. Some clinical trials on TTFields have also been carried out in other kinds of solid tumours. This article reviewed the latest research progress of TTFields, expounding its micromechanism and discussing its application prospects in head and neck cancer.

Key words: Medical physics, Head and neck, Malignancy, Tumor treating fields

CLC Number:

R739.8

LI Chen-xi, GONG Zhong-cheng, ZHAO Hua-rong, DING Ming-chao, LIU Hui. Application prospect of tumor treating fields technology in head and neck cancer[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2023, 21(5): 425-431.

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