Capareli F, Costa F, Tuszynski JA, Sousa MC, Setogute YDC, Lima PD, Carvalho L, Santos E, Gumz BP, Sabbaga J, de Castria TB, Jardim DL, Freitas D, Horvat N, Bezerra ROF, Testagrossa L, Costa T, Zanesco T, Iemma AF, Abou‐Alfa GK. Low-energy amplitude-modulated electromagnetic field exposure: Feasibility study in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Cancer Med 2023;
12:12402-12412. [PMID:
37184216 PMCID:
PMC10278519 DOI:
10.1002/cam4.5944]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and poor liver function lack effective systemic therapies. Low-energy electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can influence cell biological processes via non-thermal effects and may represent a new treatment option.
METHODS
This single-site feasibility trial enrolled patients with advanced HCC, Child-Pugh A and B, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-2. Patients underwent 90-min amplitude-modulated EMF exposure procedures every 2-4 weeks, using the AutEMdev (Autem Therapeutics). Patients could also receive standard care. The primary endpoints were safety and the identification of hemodynamic variability patterns. Exploratory endpoints included health-related quality of life (HRQoL), overall survival (OS). and objective response rate (ORR) using RECIST v1.1.
RESULTS
Sixty-six patients with advanced HCC received 539 AutEMdev procedures (median follow-up, 30 months). No serious adverse events occurred during procedures. Self-limiting grade 1 somnolence occurred in 78.7% of patients. Hemodynamic variability during EMF exposure was associated with specific amplitude-modulation frequencies. HRQoL was maintained or improved among patients remaining on treatment. Median OS was 11.3 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.0, 16.6) overall (16.0 months [95% CI: 4.4, 27.6] and 12.0 months [6.4, 17.6] for combination therapy and monotherapy, respectively). ORR was 24.3% (32% and 17% for combination therapy and monotherapy, respectively).
CONCLUSION
AutEMdev EMF exposure has an excellent safety profile in patients with advanced HCC. Hemodynamic alterations at personalized frequencies may represent a surrogate of anti-tumor efficacy. NCT01686412.
Collapse