A Theoretical Analysis of the Effects of Tumor-Treating Electric Fields on Single Cells

Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) are low-intensity and intermediate-frequency alternating electric fields that have been found to inhibit tumor cell growth. While effective, the mechanism by which TTFields affect cell growth is not yet clearly understood. Although numerous mathematical studies on the effects of electromagnetic fields on single cells exist, the effect of TTFields on single cells have been analyzed less frequently. The goal of this study is to explore through a mathematical analysis the effects of TTFields on single cells, with particular emphasis on the thermal effect. We examine herein two single-cell models, a simplified spheroidal model and a simulation of a U-87 MG glioblastoma cell model obtained from microscopic images. A finite element method is used to analyze the electric field distribution, electromagnetic loss, and thermal field distribution. The results further prove that the electric field in the cytoplasm is too weak and its thermal damage can be excluded as a mechanism for cell death in TTFields. Bioelectromagnetics. 2020;41:438-446. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.