Mathematical Modeling of Electrohydrodynamic Flow in Tumor Cells for Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) Therapy

Tumor treating fields (TTF) is a new type of cancer therapy that was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2011 for use in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients that dramatically increases quality of life, while still being just as effective as traditional chemotherapy. TTF therapy uses alternating (AC) applied electrical fields to interfere with tumor cell division by disrupting mitosis via the movement of charged molecules within the cells, altering their internal structure. The processes of electrophoresis, electroosmosis and dielectrophoresis play a key role in the effectiveness of this therapy. Thus, here we will present a mathematical model that describes electrohydrodynamic flow within a single, dividing tumor cell during anaphase and cytokinesis by using idealized geometrical structures to describe the cell. Time dependent velocity profiles as a function of electrical field, cell phase and geometrical parameters indicate situations in which flow reversals can occur within the cells. These results can aid in ultimately predicting and optimizing tumor cell response to TTF therapy.