Electrokinetics of Temperature for Development and Treatment of Effusions

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperthermia is a complementary therapy in oncology having various pros and contras for its application. Ascites, pleural effusion, edema and other electrolyte accumulations are frequently excluded from the treatability of the patients with heating locally or systemically. The special gathering of electrolytes is sometimes contraindicated, at times not mentioned in the clinical protocols. However, it is certainly challenging in the oncology where micro and macro edemas, as well as larger electrolyte accumulations (e.g. ascites, pleural effusion), are very frequent. Methods: Excluding patients with accumulation of free electrolytes limits the applications of hyperthermia. To find a solution we are studying the microvasculature and fluid dynamism together with the electric field effects, including the injury currents. The hyperthermia method which we investigate is the modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT). We use the Starling's equation and the injury current in the frame of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and in connection with the biologically closed electric circuits. Results: It is shown that mEHT, unlike the conventional hyperthermia, is applicable for patients who have edema and other free-electrolytes in the volume which is targeted. The heterogeneous heating (unlike the homogeneous, isothermal conventional hyperthermia) promotes the development of tumor-specific immune actions, and so has less adverse-effects, and longer survival time for patients in advanced, metastatic cancers too. Conclusion: mEHT is well applicable in cases of ascites, pleural effusion, edema and other electrolyte accumulations when a patient is treated in complex (complementary) oncological therapy.

A Potential Bioelectromagnetic Method to Slow Down the Progression and Prevent the Development of Ultimate Pulmonary Fibrosis by COVID-19

“…Lung effusion is also one of the patient's remaining negative states cured of the viral disease of SARS-CoV-2. mEHT offers a solution to this problem, too (150). Note that RF-current is widely used for cellulite fibrosis (151) and skin laxity (152), but only for near-surface areas.…”

The Clinical Validation of Modulated Electro-Hyperthermia (mEHT)

“…The increased diffusion redistributes the initial spacing with nanoparticles [ 161 ]. The electric field impacts the diffusion of the charged and dipole particles, modifying the electrokinetics of the effusion [ 162 ] and the angiogenesis [ 163 ]. In case of electric field heating at mEHT, the electrodiffusion modifies the allocation of the gold NP-s too, positions them to the volumes of high electric field, thus promoting the heat on the TME [ 162 ].…”

“…The electric field impacts the diffusion of the charged and dipole particles, modifying the electrokinetics of the effusion [ 162 ] and the angiogenesis [ 163 ]. In case of electric field heating at mEHT, the electrodiffusion modifies the allocation of the gold NP-s too, positions them to the volumes of high electric field, thus promoting the heat on the TME [ 162 ]. The heating of the NPs shares the energy, reducing the effect on the membrane rafts, and, despite the increase of temperature, the apoptosis decreases [ 164 ].…”

Supportive and Palliative Care in Cancer Therapies—Path from Tumor-Driven Therapies to Patient-Driven Ones

“…TTF is currently settled as an FDA-and EMA-approved, reimbursed tumor therapeutic intervention. A further advantage of the electric field effect is that it can decrease effusions [334], proven by a clinical trial too [335].…”