Abstract 2666: Preclinical investigations of concomitant tumor treating fields (TTFields) with cisplatin or paclitaxel for treatment of cervical cancer

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Abstract Introduction: Cervical cancer is a serious health problem despite the fact it is highly preventable. Early-stage cervical cancer treatment often involves surgery; however advanced, recurrent, or metastatic cases require systemic therapy. Chemotherapy, mainly cisplatin, is the most commonly used systemic therapy for this cancer type. Combination regimens may be needed in the recurrent or metastatic settings, with first-line treatments including cisplatin with paclitaxel. TTFields are electric fields that disrupt cellular processes critical for cancer cell viability and tumor progression. Concomitant treatment with TTFields and cisplatin or paclitaxel has shown benefit in other tumor types. In the current in vitro study, we tested the effectiveness of TTFields for the treatment of cervical cancer, and the possible benefit of applying TTFields together with first-line treatments for cervical cancer. Methods: Human cervical cancer cell lines - squamous cell carcinoma Ca Ski and SiHa cells, and adenocarcinoma HeLa cells - were treated with TTFields (72 h, 1 V/cm RMS) at frequencies of 100 to 400 kHz, and tested for cell count. For examining the efficacy of TTFields concomitant with cisplatin or paclitaxel, various doses of the drugs were applied together with TTFields (200 kHz), followed by measurements of cell count, colony formation, and apoptosis. Overall effect was defined as the product of percent reductions in cell count and colony formation. Results: TTFields treatment reduced cell count in all tested cervical cancer cell lines. 200 kHz were found to be effective and were used throughout the experiments. Dose response effects were seen with cisplatin or paclitaxel, and were augmented when TTFields were co-applied to the cells. Conclusions: These preclinical data suggest that TTFields may be an effective treatment against cervical cancer, and that applying them concomitantly with first-line treatment for this malignancy may provide enhanced effectiveness. Citation Format: Roni Frechtel-Gerzi, Daria Gerasimova, Einav Zeevi, Inbar Schlachet-Drukerman, Helena Mumblat, Antonia Martinez-Conde, Eyal Dor-On, Itai Tzchori, Adi Haber, Moshe Giladi, Uri Weinberg, Yoram Palti, Greg Palmer, Angeles A. Secord. Preclinical investigations of concomitant tumor treating fields (TTFields) with cisplatin or paclitaxel for treatment of cervical cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2666.