Tumor Treating Fields Mesothelioma
Tumor treating fields mesothelioma, a brand new type of therapy, uses alternating electric field to stop the growth of cancer. It is paired with chemotherapy to treat mesothelioma of the pleural region.
mesothelioma treatment and prognosis approved TTFields concomitant with pemetrexed and cisplatin in 2019 after the success of the STELLAR trial. Patients may ask their mesothelioma physician to prescribe this treatment.
Disrupting Cell Division
TTFields utilizes alternating electrical fields that disrupt cancer cell proteins and stop cells from growing. This prevents mesothelioma tumor cells from advancing or spreading to other organs in the body. The TTFields help to trigger the release of proteins that kill cancerous cells and help the immune system in fighting mesothelioma tumors.
During treatment, patients wear a small device with pads insulated with adhesive that adhere to the skin. The device is able to deliver a low-intensity electrical current, and patients can regulate the extent of treatment they receive. A mesothelioma treatment lasts around 30 minutes. Patients can have TTFields treatment multiple times a day.
A TTFields study from 2021 found that electrical fields ranging from 100 to 300 kilohertz were able to stop cancer cell division and cause them to die. The study covered different kinds of cancer cells and discovered that electrical fields killed all of them, regardless of the cell’s structure.
The study’s author suggested the use of TTFields with chemotherapy for mesothelioma. Novocure’s TTFields product, NovoTTF-100L, was approved by the FDA in 2019 to treat unresectable pleural mesothelioma. It is now available to mesothelioma doctors at certified medical centers across the U.S., including the West Cancer Center in Memphis. The NovoTTF 100L device, also referred to as Optune Lua has been used to treat mesothelioma when it is combined with platinum-based chemotherapy and pemetrexed. Mesothelioma victims have reported an extended survival time when the TTFields treatment has been combined with chemotherapy.
Another study published in the journal “Lung Cancer” reported that TTFields therapy is effective in conjunction with chemotherapy. Researchers found that combining chemotherapy with TTFields significantly reduced the number mesothelioma cancerous cells in animal models. The study also revealed that the combination of these two treatments increased the production of proteins that kill mesothelioma cells and reduce the amount of cancerous DNA in the body.
The TTFields treatment is a relatively new treatment, and a lot of mesothelioma physicians do not offer it for pleural malignant mesothelioma. However, patients might be able to avail this treatment option through clinical trials or at mesothelioma centres that have been certified by Novocure.
Stalling Tumor Growth
When mesothelial cancer cells multiply and exceed their normal life expectancy they develop mutated cells and result in an overabundance which grows and expands throughout the body. Treatment fields for mesothelioma stop tumors from advancing and spreading by blocking mesothelial cells from duplicated.
The TTFields device is worn on the chest as an armband and generates a series of electrical field that can alter proteins, kill cancer cells and slow down tumor growth. The device comes with insulated pads that stick to the skin and can be used at home by patients or by health professionals trained by Novocure.
Doctors recommend combining TTFields with chemotherapy to achieve the best results. The combination boosts the production of proteins that kill cancer cells, and reduces the ability of cancer cells to repair DNA damage caused by chemotherapy drugs. This allows chemotherapy drugs to perform more effectively and increases the survival rate of mesothelioma patients.
In the STELLAR trial, which was conducted in 2017, TTFields therapy in combination with chemotherapy significantly increased survival for mesothelioma patients. The FDA approved the NovoTTF-100L system that is now sold as Optune Lua, for use alongside pemetrexed and carboplatin and cisplatin as a first-line treatment for unresectable malignant mesothelioma of the pleural in 2019.
Researchers have discovered that the TTFields treatment works against mesothelioma by interrupting cell division. The treatment TTFields induces cancer cells to break down through a process known as mitosis. The cell debris is absorbed by surrounding tissues, which inhibits the development of new tissues. Mitosis prevents mesothelioma cancer cells from healing damaged genetic material, and makes them more susceptible to radiation treatment.
The TTFields therapy can also reduce the flow of blood to tumors through the suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the increase of hypoxia-inducible factors-1 alpha or HIF-1a. HIF-1a is associated with cancer cells’ angiogenesis.
Speak to your doctor in the event that you’ve been diagnosed mesothelioma. Many mesothelioma specialists are collaborating with Novocure on clinical trials to test the efficacy of this new treatment. To find out more about how mesothelioma TTFields could benefit your treatment plan get in touch with a Novocure certified specialist at one of more than 1,300 U.S. treatment centers.
Killing Tumor Cells
Tumor-treating fields (TTFields), which send electrical waves throughout the body to disrupt cell division and eliminate cancer cells. TTFields target cancerous cells, while protecting healthy cells. These fields can reduce DNA repair, and also boost cell defences, making cancerous cells more difficult to survive. TTF is non-invasive and has only minor side effects.
Scientists believe TTFields disrupt mitosis, the process whereby the cell divides into two identical new cells. Normal cells have controls to limit mitosis. However cancerous tumors that are malignant are able to break these restrictions and multiply at an increased rate. TTFields interferes with this process by blocking signals that regulate the process of mitosis in mesothelioma cancer cells. In the STELLAR study TTFields together with chemotherapy significantly increased survival rates for mesothelioma patients. Mesothelioma patients who received TTFields along with maintenance cycles of chemotherapy lasted six months longer on average than those who just received chemotherapy.
A separate study has found that TTFields may increase the effectiveness of certain chemotherapy drugs known as platinum-based therapies. These platinum-based treatments kill mesothelioma tumors by targeting mitochondria, which is the place where cancerous cells obtain their energy. When TTFields is used in conjunction with chemotherapies, the combination can result in higher levels DNA damage and faster death of cancer cells.
TTFields may also boost the effects of radiation therapy in some instances. Researchers have discovered that combining TTFields with radiation therapy can create an “synergistic effect.” This means that the combination of treatments increases the sensitivity of mesothelioma tumor cells to radiation.
At present, TTFields can only be available at certain mesothelioma centres. A mesothelioma specialist can determine if you’re suitable for this treatment. If you are eligible mesothelioma lawyers can assist you with accessing treatment that incorporates TTFields along with chemotherapy. If you are an active military veteran mesothelioma lawyer could assist you in obtaining treatment that is covered under your VA health benefits.
Side Effects
The TT fields therapy destroys cancer cells by generating a field of electricity that blocks their ability to divide. This can slow the growth of tumors and stop the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. The TT fields device is noninvasive, meaning it doesn’t damage surrounding tissue or cause pain. This is a different treatment than conventional chemotherapy, which involves intravenous injections and radiation which can result in serious side effects.
In an experiment in which patients were who received a combination of TT fields and temozolomide showed survival gains comparable to those who were treated only with chemotherapy. Doctors attributing this improvement in survival to TT fields, which boost the effectiveness of chemo while reducing the risk of side adverse effects.
Mesothelioma cancer cells can mutate and multiply in uncontrolled ways, causing cancerous cells to invade your organs. Mesothelioma treatment like TT fields stop mesothelioma cells from reproducing and limiting the body’s normal functions through stopping the division of cells.
In a mesothelioma-related study patients who received TT fields in conjunction with their chemo had an average survival of 18.2 months. Patients who received TT fields, but not chemo had a survival rate of 12.1.
Tumor-treating fields can be applied to the pleura or the thin lining that surrounds your lungs, either on your chest or abdominal wall. The device is small enough to wear for up to 18 hours each day, including sleep. Patients are able to maintain their life and work even while they undergo treatment.
TT fields can be combined with conventional chemotherapy, immunotherapy or other mesothelioma treatment options. Patients with mesothelioma who are interested in TT fields should discuss this possibility with their mesothelioma physician who will explain the eligibility requirements and anticipated benefits for the patient’s particular situation.
