The combined treatment of 150 kHz tumor treating fields (TTFields) and sorafenib inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15653-e15653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Weinberg ◽  
Shiri Davidi ◽  
Catherine Tempel- Brami ◽  
Mijal Munster ◽  
Karnit Gotlib ◽  
...  

e15653 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer related mortality and the primary cause of cancer death. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is an effective anti-neoplastic treatment modality delivered via noninvasive application of low intensity, intermediate frequency, alternating electric fields. Sorafenib, an oral multikinase inhibitor is approved for patients with advanced HCC, yet its survival benefit is still limited. In this work we explored the potential of the use of TTFields alone and in combination with Sorafenib as a treatment for HCC. Methods: HepG2 and Huh-7D12 cells were treated with various TTFields frequencies for 72 hours using the inovitro system. Efficacy of the combined treatment of TTFields and Sorafenib (36-3000 nM) was tested by applying TTFields at the optimal frequency together with various drug concentrations. Cell counts, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle and clonogenic potential were determined. TTFields (1.2 V/cm) and Sorafenib (10 mg/kg) were applied for 6 days to rats injected to the liver with N1S1 HCC cells. Tumor growth was followed using MRI. Results: The optimal TTFields frequency was 150 kHz for both cell lines. TTFields application (1.0 - 1.7 V/cm, 72 hours) at 150 kHz led to 36-40% reduction in cell counts and to additional reduction of over 70% in the clonogenic potential. The combined treatment of TTFields and Sorafenib led to a significant reduction in the number of cells (p < 0.001) as compared to each treatment alone. The averaged tumor volume fold increase of the combination treatment group was significantly lower than the one observed in the: control group, the TTFields group and the Sorafenib group. Conclusions: The results presented in this work demonstrate that TTFields can be an effective treatment against HCC cells and that the combination with Sorafenib may further enhance treatment efficacy.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 333-333
Author(s):  
Uri Weinberg ◽  
Shiri Davidi ◽  
Karnit Gotlib ◽  
Einav Zeevi ◽  
Catherine Tempel- Brami ◽  
...  

333 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third cause of cancer related mortality and the primary cause of cancer death. Sorafenib, an oral multikinase inhibitor is approved for patients with advanced HCC, yet its survival benefit is still limited. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is an effective anti-neoplastic treatment modality delivered via noninvasive application of low intensity, intermediate frequency, alternating electric fields. The aim of this work is to explore the potential of the use of TTFields alone and in combination with Sorafenib as a treatment for HCC. Methods: HepG2 and Huh-7D12 cells were treated with various TTFields frequencies for 72 hours using the inovitro system. Efficacy of the combined treatment of TTFields and Sorafenib (36-3000 nM) was tested by applying TTFields at the optimal frequency together with various drug concentrations. Cell counts, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle and clonogenic potential were determined. N1S1 HCC cells were injected to the left lobe of the liver of SD rats. After 1 week, TTFields (1.2 V/cm) and Sorafenib (10 mg/kg) were applied for 6 days and tumor growth was followed using MRI. Healthy rats were used to study safety of the use of TTFields (150 kHz) applied to the abdomen. Results: The optimal TTFields frequency was found to be 150 kHz for both cell lines. TTFields application (1.0 - 1.7 V/cm, 72 hours) at 150 kHz led to 53-64% reduction in cell counts and to additional reduction of over 70% in the clonogenic potential. The combined treatment of TTFields and Sorafenib led to a significant reduction in the number cells (2-way ANOVA, p < 0.001) as compared to each treatment alone. Tumor growth was significantly reduced by the combined group compared to the control group (student t test, p < 0.01). Safety studies did not reveal any adverse event associated with TTFields application to the rat abdomen. Conclusions: The results presented in this work demonstrate that TTFields can be a safe and effective treatment against HCC cells and that the combination with Sorafenib may further enhance treatment efficacy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 551-551
Author(s):  
Shiri Davidi ◽  
Catherine Tempel-Brami ◽  
Mijal Munster ◽  
Karnit Gotlib ◽  
Einav Zeevi ◽  
...  

551 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading global cause of cancer-related mortality. Sorafenib (oral multikinase inhibitor) is approved in patients with advanced HCC, yet survival benefit is limited. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are an effective, anti-neoplastic treatment modality delivered via noninvasive, low intensity (1-3 V/cm), intermediate frequency (100-500 kHz), alternating electric fields. The study aim was to explore in vitro and in vivo effects of TTFields alone and combined with sorafenib for HCC treatment. Methods: HCC (HepG2 and Huh-7D12) cells were TTFields treated with at frequencies of 100-400 kHz for 72 hr using the inovitro system. Efficacy of TTFields and sorafenib combined treatment was tested at optimal frequency with various sorafenib concentrations. Cell counts, apoptosis induction, and clonogenic potential were determined. Healthy rats were used to assess safety of TTFields applied to the abdomen. N1S1 HCC cells were injected into the left hepatic lobe of Sprague Dawley rat; after 1 week, TTFields (1.2 V/cm) and sorafenib (10 mg/kg) were applied for 6 days. Tumor growth was evaluated using MRI. Results: The optimal TTFields frequency was 150 kHz in HepG2 and Huh-7D12 HCC cells. TTFields 150 kHz treatment (1.0 - 1.7 V/cm, 72 hr) led to cell count reductions (53-55%) and further decreases in clonogenic potential (65-69%). TTFields and sorafenib combination treatment led to a significant reduction in cell count (2-way ANOVA, P < 0.05) vs either treatment alone. Also, tumor growth was significantly reduced in the combined treatment group vs the control group (student t test, P < 0.01). Tumor volume (fold increase) in the combination treatment group (1.6) was significantly lower vs control (5.9, P < 0.0001), TTFields alone (3.3, P < 0.01), and sorafenib alone (2.3, P < 0.05) groups. Safety studies did not reveal any TTFields related adverse events with delivery to the rat abdomen. Conclusions: In vitro and in vivo data demonstrated efficacy and safety of TTFields in HCC; and improved efficacy in combination with sorafenib. A phase 2 study (HEPANOVA; NCT03606590) will explore the clinical potential of TTFields 150 kHz plus sorafenib.


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20069-e20069
Author(s):  
Uri Weinberg ◽  
Mijal Munster ◽  
Karnit Gotlib ◽  
Rosa S. Schneiderman ◽  
Yaara Porat ◽  
...  

e20069 Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive thoracic cancer mostly linked to asbestos exposure. The standard of care (SOC) therapy for unresectable MPM is cisplatin plus pemetrexed. Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is an effective anti-neoplastic treatment modality delivered via noninvasive application of low intensity, intermediate frequency, alternating electric fields. We explored the potential use of TTFields alone and in combination with SOC as a treatment for MPM. Methods: NCI-H2052 and MSTO-211H cells were treated at various TTFields frequencies for 72 hours using the inovitro system. The combined treatment of TTFields and cisplatin or pemetrexed was tested by applying TTFields at the optimal frequency together with various drug concentrations. Cell counts, clonogenic potential and induction of apoptosis were determined. TTFields (1.2 V/cm) were applied for 8 days to rats injected to the intrapleural cavity with IL-45 cells, and overall survival was tested. Results: TTFields optimal frequency was 150 kHz for both human cell lines. TTFields application (1.1 V/cm, 72 hours) at 150 kHz led to 45%-51% reduction in cell counts and 46-64%% additional reduction in clonogenic potential. The combined treatment of TTFields and cisplatin or pemetrexed led to a significant reduction in cell count, induction of apoptosis and reduced clonogenic potential as compared to each modality alone (p < 0.0001(. TTFields significantly prolonged the survival of rats compared to control group. Safety studies did not reveal any adverse events associated with 150 kHz TTFields application to the rat torso. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that TTFields can be an effective treatment against mesothelioma and the combination with cisplatin or pemetrexed may further enhance treatment efficacy. These results are in consistency with the recent phase 2 study (EF-23 trial) that showed improved overall survival for combined treatment as compared to historical control with no increase in systemic toxicity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi89-vi89
Author(s):  
Sharon Michelhaugh ◽  
Sandeep Mittal

Abstract Tumor treating fields are FDA-approved for treatment of newly-diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma. Adding TTFields therapy to standard-of-care extended progression-free survival and overall survival in newly-diagnosed glioblastoma patients. In this study, cell lines generated from newly-diagnosed glioblastoma patients were treated in vitro with TTFields prior to irradiation to determine if the response to radiation would be altered. This study was approved by the WSU Institutional Review Board and written consent obtained from the patients. Single-cell suspensions generated from tumor tissues obtained from newly-diagnosed patients were cultured in DMEM/F12 media with 10% fetal bovine serum and gentamicin. Prior to TTFields initiation, cells were plated on plastic coverslips (5×104cells/coverslip) and incubated overnight. Then, TTFields were applied at 200 kHz with a field intensity of ~1.6 V/cm for 3 days. After TTFields application, cells were irradiated with 2, 4, or 6 Gy, or were untreated. After radiation delivery, cells were harvested and replated in a clonogenic assay. From each group, 3 coverslips were each replated in triplicate. After 3 days (3 doubling times), cells were stained with crystal violet and plates were scanned to determine cell counts. Treatment groups were compared to their control group with t-test. For both patient-derived GBM cell lines tested, TTFields prior to radiation decreased the number of crystal violet-stained cells in the clonogenic assay plates. In cell line 15–037, pretreatment with TTFields decreased cell counts by 16, 29, and 56% after 2, 4, or 6 Gy radiation, respectively, compared to the control cells with no TTFields pretreatment (p< 0.05). The response in 14-015S cells was less radiation dose-dependent, with the decrease in cell counts ranging from 33–47% control across the radiation doses (p< 0.05). These data suggest that the use of TTFields therapy prior to radiotherapy may enhance the response to radiotherapy in GBM patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 406-406
Author(s):  
Einav Zeevi ◽  
Karnit Gotlib ◽  
Rosa S Schneiderman ◽  
Mijal Munster ◽  
Yaara Porat ◽  
...  

406 Background: Gastric cancer is the third most common cause of cancer mortality worldwide, yet long-term survival in gastric cancer remains poor despite systemic therapeutic advances. FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, fluorouracil [5-FU], and leucovorin) is an approved chemotherapy regimen for gastric cancer treatment. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are an antimitotic, loco-regional anticancer treatment delivered via non-invasive application of low intensity (1-3V/cm), intermediate frequency (100-500 kHz), alternating electrical fields. TTFields targets rapidly dividing cancer cells by disrupting microtubules leading to mitotic catastrophe, abnormal chromosome segregation, and apoptosis induction. We investigated the potential use of TTFields alone and in combination with FOLFOX for gastric carcinomas. Methods: Gastric cells (AGS and KATO III) were treated for 72 hours with TTFields (1.1 and 1.7 V/cm, respectively) at frequencies of 100-400 kHz using the inovitro system. Efficacy of TTFields and FOLFOX and its individual components was tested by applying TTFields at the optimal frequency in combination with various drug concentrations. Cell counts, apoptosis induction, clonogenic potential, and overall effect were determined. Results: The optimal TTFields frequency that led to the greatest cell count reduction (AGS, 55%; KATO III, 52%) was 150 kHz. The clonogenic potential was reduced by > 70% in both cell lines. TTFields combined with each FOLFOX component (oxaliplatin, 5-FU, or leucovorin) led to a significant reduction in AGS and KATO III cell survival (2-way ANOVA, P < 0.001 for each cell line) versus each treatment alone. In AGS, TTFields plus FOLFOX combination treatment led to a further reduction in the overall effect (cytotoxic and clonogenic; 79%) versus TTFields alone (65%) and FOLFOX alone (34%). Similar results were observed in KATO III cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that TTFields (150 kHz; optimal frequency) are an effective gastric cancer treatment; and combining TTFields with FOLFOX may further enhance efficacy. There is a strong rational to continue exploring the use of TTFields in combination with standard of care for gastric cancer treatment in the clinical settings.


Gut ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. gutjnl-2020-320716
Author(s):  
Runze Shang ◽  
Xinhua Song ◽  
Pan Wang ◽  
Yi Zhou ◽  
Xinjun Lu ◽  
...  

ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer with limited treatment options. Cabozantinib, an orally bioavailable multikinase inhibitor is now approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HCC patients. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of cabozantinib, either alone or in combination, in vitro and in vivo.DesignHuman HCC cell lines and HCC mouse models were used to assess the therapeutic efficacy and targeted molecular pathways of cabozantinib, either alone or in combination with the pan-mTOR inhibitor MLN0128 or the checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-L1 antibody.ResultsCabozantinib treatment led to stable disease in c-Met/β-catenin and Akt/c-Met mouse HCC while possessing limited efficacy on Akt/Ras and c-Myc liver tumours. Importantly, cabozantinib effectively inhibited c-MET and ERK activity, leading to decreased PKM2 and increased p21 expression in HCC cells and in c-Met/β-catenin and Akt/c-Met HCC. However, cabozantinib was ineffective in inhibiting the Akt/mTOR cascade. Intriguingly, a strong inhibition of angiogenesis by cabozantinib occurred regardless of the oncogenic drivers. However, cabozantinib had limited impact on other tumour microenvironment parameters, including tumour infiltrating T cells, and did not induce programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Combining cabozantinib with MLN0128 led to tumour regression in c-Met/β-catenin mice. In contrast, combined treatment with cabozantinib and the checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-L1 antibody did not provide any additional therapeutic benefit in the four mouse HCC models tested.Conclusionc-MET/ERK/p21/PKM2 cascade and VEGFR2-induced angiogenesis are the primary targets of cabozantinib in HCC treatment. Combination therapies with cabozantinib and mTOR inhibitors may be effective against human HCC.


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