scholarly journals Exposure to low energy amplitude modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF) is associated with rapid improvement in quality of life (QoL) status in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), using various analyses of EORTC-C30

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. v663
Author(s):  
E. Santana ◽  
F.P. Costa ◽  
Y. Setogute ◽  
L. Carvalho ◽  
P. Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Rapid Improvement ◽  
Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

Low energy amplitude modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in combination with standard treatment or as monotherapy to show improvement in quality of life in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 290-290
Author(s):  
Micelange Carvalho Sousa ◽  
Frederico Costa ◽  
Pablo Diego Lima ◽  
Yone De Camargo Setogute ◽  
Brenda Pires Gumz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Combination Treatment ◽  
Treatment Modality ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Single Treatment ◽  
Advanced Hcc ◽  
Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

290 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a fatal cancer without curative option for most patients. Hence the importance to improve health related quality of life (HRQoL). Amplitude-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF), as a novel and non-toxic therapy, has potential for improving HRQoL in advanced HCC patients. Methods: An open-label, single center, prospective clinical protocol was performed in advanced HCC patients as an initial and salvage treatment modality. Systemic exposure to EMF was used in combination with a systemic conventional treatment or as a single treatment. A spoon-shaped antenna placed in the oral cavity delivered EMF over 90 minutes with monthly repetitions until death or consent withdrawal. The effect on HRQoL was the primary objective of this study. Patients answered the EORTC-C30 v3.0 questionnaires prior to every EMF exposure. Clinically meaningful change (CMC) and time to deterioration (TTD) for Global Health (QoL), Role Functioning (RF) and Physical Functioning (PF) were used in the analysis. Results: From March 2018 to April 2020, 55 advanced HCC patients were submitted to 373 EMF exposures. 41/55 (75%) patients had repetitive exposures (mean # 4, ranging from 2-16). 87% were male, median age was 67, 84% were BLCL-C, 16% were Child-Pugh B, 29% had extra-hepatic metastasis, 55% had failed previous treatment and 71% had documented radiological progression. 31(56%) patients received EMF in combination with systemic therapy (28 TKI and 3 anti-PDL1). 24 patients received EMF as a single treatment modality. The mean baseline score was 68.1 for QoL and 77.1 for RF and PF. 61%, 76% and 49% of patients experienced positive change in QoL, RF and PS scores immediately prior to the second exposure, respectively. +CMC was reported in 20%, 17% and 32% of patients, respectively for QoL, RF and PS. The median QoL TTD was not reached. The median RF TTD was 7.2 month and the median PF TTD was 11.9 month. The median RF TTD for patients in combination treatment was 11.4 months and in a single treatment was 13.5 month. The median PF TTD for patients in combination treatment was 12.8 months and in single treatment was 14.5 month. Conclusions: Advanced HCC patients showed positive changes in QoL, RF and PF HRQoL scores after single exposure to EMF. The benefit from EMF in HRQoL was durable both in combination with TKI or as a single modality in advanced HCC patients. These results support future development as a novel palliative treatment modality in advanced HCC patients. Clinical trial information: NCT 01686412.

Amplitude-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields target hepatocellular carcinoma stem cells through activation of Cav 3.2 T-type calcium channels.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 332-332
Author(s):  
Hugo Jimenez ◽  
Minghui Wang ◽  
Jacquelyn W. Zimmerman ◽  
Michael J. Pennison ◽  
Sambad Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Calcium Channels ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Human Exposure ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Advanced Hcc ◽  
Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Hcc Cells

332 Background: Amplitude-modulated 27.12 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (AM RF EMF) delivered via a spoon-shaped antenna placed on the patient’s tongue result in shrinkage of the primary and metastatic tumors in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). (Costa FP, et al. Br J Cancer. 2011;105:640-648.) The mechanism by which AM RF EMF have direct antiproliferative effect and disruption of the mitotic spindle on cancer cells is largely unknown. (Zimmerman JW, et al. Br J Cancer. 2012;106:307-313.) Methods: We assessed the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) level and distribution inside the human body. In vitro experiments with HCC cells were performed as previously described (Zimmerman). Immunodeficient mice were subcutaneously implanted with Huh-7 HCC cells or patient-derived xenografts (PDX). Mice were exposed to HCC-specific AM RF EMF using systems replicating human exposure levels and treatment duration. Tumor samples were examined for EMT and cell cycle markers. Results: Intrabuccal delivery results in whole-body absorption of AM RF EMF. Proliferation of hepatitis B positive and negative cell lines as well as HCC cancer stem cells (CSCs) are blocked by AM RF EMF through Cav 3.2 T-type voltage gated calcium channels (VGCC). Proliferation of HCC is inhibited in vivo and tumor shrinkage occurs by dedifferentiation of HCC cells into quiescent myofibroblasts while the growth of intestinal and blood marrow cells is unaltered. Conclusions: Whole-body SAR ranges from 0.2 to 1 mW/kg and is significantly below the international safety limits for human exposure. Intrabucally-administered AM RF EMF is a novel targeted therapy for systemic treatment of advanced HCC with minimal off target effects. Inhibition of HCC CSCs may explain the extremely long term survival (>5 years) of several patients with advanced HCC.

scholarly journals Outcomes and Quality of Life of Systemic Therapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kehua Zhou ◽  
Christos Fountzilas
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Kinase Inhibitors ◽  
Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Advanced Hcc ◽  
Treatment Interruptions ◽  
Systemic Treatments

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide; most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease for which there is no known cure. Tremendous progress has been made over the past decade in the development of new agents for HCC, including small-molecule kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib, lenvatinib, cabozantinib, regorafenib, and monoclonal antibodies like ramucirumab, nivolumab, and pembrolizumab. Ideal use of these agents in clinics has improved the long-term outcome of patients with advanced HCC as well as introduced unique toxicities that can affect quality of life. These toxicities usually are thought to be partially related to cirrhosis, a major risk factor for the development of HCC and a pathophysiological barrier complicating the optimal delivery of antineoplastic therapy. Additionally, side effects of medications together with advanced HCC symptoms not only decrease quality of life, but also cause treatment interruptions and dose reductions that can potentially decrease efficacy. Physicians caring for patients with advanced HCC are called to optimally manage HCC along with cirrhosis in order to prolong life while at the same time preserve the quality of life. In this review, we aimed to summarize outcomes and quality of life with the use of modern systemic treatments in advanced HCC and provide a physician reference for treatment toxicity and cirrhosis management.

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