First steps to creating a platform for high throughput simulation of TTFields

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2016 Aug:2016:2357-2360. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2016.7591203.

Abstract

Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are low intensity alternating electric fields in the 100-500 KHz frequency range that are known to have an anti-mitotic effect on cancerous cells. In the USA, TTFields are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) in both the newly diagnosed and recurrent settings. Optimizing treatment with TTFields requires a deep understanding of how TTFields distribute within the brain. To address this issue, simulations using realistic head models have been performed. However, the preparation of such models is time-consuming and requires a high level of expertise, limiting the usefulness of these models for systematic studies in which the testing of multiple cases is required. Here we present a platform for rapidly simulating TTFields distributions in multiple scenarios. This platform enables high throughput computational simulations to be performed, allowing comparison of field distributions within the head in multiple clinically relevant scenarios. The simulation setup is simple and intuitive, allowing non-expert users to run simulations and evaluate results, thereby providing a valuable tool for studying how to optimize TTFields delivery in the clinic.

MeSH terms

  • Brain
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy*
  • Electricity
  • Glioblastoma / therapy*
  • Head
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical