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Updated: Oct 27, 2025
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Flexible Organic Electronic Devices for Pulsed Electric Field Therapy of Glioblastoma
Published on: August 9, 2022
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Electrotherapies for Glioblastoma
Elise P W Jenkins1, Alina Finch2, Magda Gerigk1
1Division of Electrical Engineering, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0FA, UK.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|July 22, 2021
Summary
Intermediate frequency electrotherapies, like pulsed electric fields (PEFs) and tumour-treating fields (TTFs), offer novel treatments for glioblastoma (GBM). This review bridges the gap between these techniques and GBM
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biophysics
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Glioblastoma (GBM) presents significant treatment challenges due to its heterogeneity, recurrence, resistance, and the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
- Electrophysiological traits in gliomas may contribute to disease progression, highlighting the need for targeted therapies.
- Non-thermal, intermediate frequency (100-500 kHz) electrotherapies are emerging as promising strategies for malignant neoplasms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the foundations, advances, and considerations of pulsed electric fields (PEFs) and tumour-treating fields (TTFs) for glioblastoma (GBM) treatment.
- To explore the biological responses at cellular and molecular levels to electrical stimuli parameters.
- To bridge the interdisciplinary gap between electrotherapy techniques and the biological complexities of GBM.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on intermediate frequency electrotherapies (PEFs and TTFs) applied to glioblastoma.
- Analysis of biological characteristics of GBM and their interaction with electrophysiological traits.
- Discussion of cellular and molecular responses to specific electrical stimulus parameters.
Main Results:
- A disconnect exists between current electrotherapy methods and the specific biological complexities of GBM.
- Different electrotherapy methods may target distinct biological characteristics of GBM.
- Understanding the relationship between electrical parameters and biological effects is crucial for treatment optimization.
Conclusions:
- Mapping GBM biological characteristics to specific electrotherapy methods can guide future research.
- Further interdisciplinary research is needed to develop effective intermediate frequency electrotherapies for GBM.
- This work provides a novel in-tandem assessment of biological effects of intermediate frequency electrotherapies for GBM treatment strategies.
