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Tumour treating fields (TTFields)

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

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.

Schematic · not to scale
Transducer arrays · 100-300 kHz alternating field · Mitosis disrupted

How it works

Low-intensity, intermediate-frequency (100-300 kHz) alternating fields interfere with mitotic spindle assembly and cytokinesis.

Strengths
  • Non-invasive, minimal systemic toxicity
  • Combinable with any drug
Limitations
  • 18+ hours/day wear
  • Skin irritation
  • Sceptical reception of some trial designs
Since
2011

Products

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Key papers

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Latest papers

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Literature trend114 papers in the last 12 months-7% vs prior 12How this is computed
Latest papers · live from Europe PMC
Open in Europe PMC

Query for this technology: (TITLE:"tumor treating fields" OR ABSTRACT:"tumor treating fields" OR TITLE:"tumour treating fields" OR ABSTRACT:"tumour treating fields" OR TITLE:"TTFields" OR ABSTRACT:"TTFields"). Results are unfiltered search hits about Tumour treating fields (TTFields), not a curated reading list.

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