# Tumour treating fields (TTFields)

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/ttfields/  
OnCo record `ttfields` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

Wearable electrodes that deliver alternating electric fields disrupting cancer cell division.

## Summary

Optune approved in glioblastoma (EF-14), mesothelioma, and NSCLC after platinum (LUNAR, 2024). Optune Pax approved in Q1 2026 with chemotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (PANOVA-3), the first approval specific to that setting in nearly 30 years. Mechanism and magnitude of benefit remain debated.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: approved
- Last checked: 2026-09-04
- Principle: Low-intensity, intermediate-frequency (100-300 kHz) alternating fields interfere with mitotic spindle assembly and cytokinesis.
- Since: 2011
- Strengths: Non-invasive, minimal systemic toxicity; Combinable with any drug
- Limitations: 18+ hours/day wear; Skin irritation; Sceptical reception of some trial designs

## Sources

- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor_treating_fields
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor_treating_fields

## Connected records

- technologies: [Cryoablation systems](https://onco.cc/technologies/cryoablation-systems/), [Microwave and radiofrequency ablation systems](https://onco.cc/technologies/microwave-rf-ablation/), [Transcranial focused ultrasound systems (Exablate Neuro, SonoCloud)](https://onco.cc/technologies/transcranial-focused-ultrasound-systems/)
- cancers: [Glioma & glioblastoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/glioblastoma/), [Locally advanced unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/locally-advanced-pdac/), [Mesothelioma](https://onco.cc/cancers/mesothelioma/), [Non-small-cell lung cancer](https://onco.cc/cancers/nsclc/), [Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma](https://onco.cc/cancers/pancreatic/)
- fronts: [Devices & Physical Therapies](https://onco.cc/fronts/devices/)
- drugs: [Optune / Optune Pax (TTFields)](https://onco.cc/drugs/optune/)
- companies: [Novocure](https://onco.cc/companies/novocure/)
- trials: [A Study of NovoTTF-200T(P) in Combination With Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel for Resectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma](https://onco.cc/trials/nct05624918/), [EF-14](https://onco.cc/trials/ef-14/), [PANOVA-3](https://onco.cc/trials/panova-3/), [STELLAR](https://onco.cc/trials/stellar/), [Testing Higher Dose Radiation Therapy for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer](https://onco.cc/trials/nct06958328/), [TTFields and Chemotherapy in Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (mPDAC)](https://onco.cc/trials/nct07284277/)
- key papers: [Stupp 2005: temozolomide added to radiotherapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-stupp-temozolomide-nejm-2005/), [Tumor Treating Fields With Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Randomized, Open-Label, Pivotal Phase III PANOVA-3 Study](https://onco.cc/key-papers/paper-panova-3-ttfields-locally-advanced-pancreatic-jco-2025/)
- roadmaps: [Devices and physical therapies roadmap: heat and light → electric fields and focused sound → drug-releasing implants](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/devices-roadmap/), [Pancreatic cancer roadmap: from Whipple's operation to gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX, adjuvant chemotherapy, PARP inhibition, KRAS inhibition, vaccines and the surveillance question](https://onco.cc/roadmaps/pancreatic-roadmap/)
- people: [Roger Stupp](https://onco.cc/people/roger-stupp/)
- bottlenecks: [The brain: barrier and sanctuary](https://onco.cc/bottlenecks/b-brain-delivery/)
- institutions: [Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University](https://onco.cc/institutions/northwestern-lurie/), [University Hospital Zurich / Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich](https://onco.cc/institutions/usz-zurich/)
- terms: [Bioelectric theory of cancer (Levin)](https://onco.cc/terms/bioelectric-theory-of-cancer/)

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