One exciting result from his studies, says Palti, is that there is "excellent synergy between electric-field treatment and chemotherapy." In an unpublished lab study of several types of cancer, he says, adding electric-field treatment makes several chemotherapeutics more effective at lower doses. NovoCure is now conducting a pilot trial in Europe in which patients begin electric-field treatment in conjunction with chemotherapy when they are first diagnosed with glioblastoma. The results are preliminary, but, Palti says, "I strongly believe that the combination treatment will ... enable one to reduce the chemo doses to levels where their side effects will be significantly reduced."
Palti says that after more than 200 cumulative months of electric-field treatment in several patients, there have been no side effects beyond irritation of the scalp. "So far, toxicity seems to be low," says Engelhard. This stands in stark contrast to chemotherapy and radiation, which cause many side effects, including nausea, hair loss, and fatigue.
One worry is that the electric-field treatment could affect healthy cells that are dividing. The electric fields emerging from the electrodes can't be focused, says Cohen, and although they are primarily concentrated in the brain in the glioblastoma trial, they may also reach other parts of the body where cells are dividing. Cells in the bone marrow, for example, multiply at a great rate to create red blood cells and immune cells. But Palti says that the electric fields have no effect on blood-cell counts. The bone and muscle surrounding the marrow appear to protect the cells..
It's unclear how long patients will need to wear the device. "We're hesitant to stop treatment, because the consequences could be severe," says Palti, although one patient whose cancer has disappeared has stopped wearing the device. Patients must go to the clinic twice a week to have their heads shaved so that their hair doesn't interrupt contact between the scalp and the electrodes. The device itself costs only about $1,000 to manufacture, but replacing the electrodes twice a week is expensive.
Engelhard says that he got involved with the NovoCure clinical trial because the electric-field treatment is "radically different" from all existing cancer treatments. For patients with recurrent glioblastoma and other deadly forms of cancer, there are few options. "Researching and testing new therapies for this type of patient is very important," says Engelhard.
Comments
thirtygrand on 08/08/2007 at 2:07 AM
3
TomTom on 08/08/2007 at 10:18 AM
28
There are numerous other ways to destroy cancer cells and they have been forbidden.
Pappas has be using magnetic fields for years but it is considered "alternative". Here is a link to his site: http://www.papimi.gr/selections.htm
stradric on 08/08/2007 at 1:47 PM
16
And a majority of doctors become doctors to help people, not to perpetuate disease so they can make money.
That may be the case with for-profit hospital chains, but even then I don't think you have a strong case. I could be wrong. I don't have any statistics.
TomTom on 08/08/2007 at 6:07 PM
28
Tagamet on 08/08/2007 at 9:17 PM
7
Not for everyone (I'm a great example). It would appear that your negative attitude would go far toward raising *your* blood pressure while weakening your immune system. (and yes, I'm a shrink)
Be well and God Bless.
el_cacique on 08/09/2007 at 1:22 AM
1
Considering Nikola Tesla's research and his findings of energy transfer in systems resonating at the same frequency, perhaps it's an investigation that should be revived. Any takers in those brilliant engineers at MIT?
anisotropy on 10/25/2007 at 5:44 PM
2
dboots on 11/14/2007 at 1:58 AM
4
have developed the technology to make every tree
a cell tower (n buildings). So if trees can be
cell towers then the ground must be conductive
too. Since we are made of energy, then I assume
we must be conductive too.
You put this much of a communications field
of magnetic energy near our bodies, its going
to create those tumors.
How strange is it, that a certain amount of
EM energy will also make them go away.
Almost like they are causing them with energy
and they can erase the tumors with a different
output of an energy.
No one makes any money when everyone's healthy.
dboots on 11/14/2007 at 2:05 AM
4
one does not seem to be of the same brain
compared to the top MRI scan.
Anyone else notice this difference?
Yes I know the tumor gone, but look at the
design of the lobes. They don't seem to make
the same formation lines.