Computational modeling and simulations of alternating electric fields (AEF).

Alternating electric fields (AEF) therapy is a non-invasive cancer treatment modality for patients with glioblastoma that utilizes AEFs with an electric field strength of 1-3 V/cm at a frequency of 100-300 kHz to suppress tumor growth. Despite the growing interest in AEFs, a limited number of preclinical in-vivo studies hinders the development of AEF treatment. Using the computational modeling and simulations, we designed customized electrodes suitable for the AEF delivery in rodents and developed a computational workflow for the conversion of realistic, 3D rat head models. The workflow was used to access a sensitivity of the AEF strength and distribution in increasingly granular brain models and different tissue electric properties from the literature. We then explored the impact of different edema electric properties, tumor size, and tumor location on the AEFs in a 3D rat head model. This study illustrates a flexible and systematic approach for simulating AEFs under different brain anatomical models, tissue electric values, and tumor properties. Preclinical rodent studies based on these results would enable innovations in treatment monitoring and efficacy, which could then be translated to benefit patients.