Determining the Optimal Inhibitory Frequency for Cancerous Cells Using Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields)

J Vis Exp. 2017 May 4:(123):55820. doi: 10.3791/55820.

Abstract

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are an effective treatment modality delivered via the continuous, noninvasive application of low-intensity (1-3 V/cm), alternating electric fields in the frequency range of several hundred kHz. The study of TTFields in tissue culture is carried out using the TTFields in vitro application system, which allows for the application of electric fields of varying frequencies and intensities to ceramic Petri dishes with a high dielectric constant (Ɛ > 5,000). Cancerous cell lines plated on coverslips at the bottom of the ceramic Petri dishes are subjected to TTFields delivered in two orthogonal directions at various frequencies to facilitate treatment outcome tests, such as cell counts and clonogenic assays. The results presented in this report demonstrate that the optimal frequency of the TTFields with respect to both cell counts and clonogenic assays is 200 kHz for both ovarian and glioma cells.

Publication types

  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Protocols
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colony-Forming Units Assay / methods*
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy*
  • Electricity*
  • Female
  • Glioma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Treatment Outcome