Neuhaus Eric, Zirjacks Lisa, Ganser Katrin, Klumpp Lukas, Schüler Uwe, Zips Daniel, Eckert Franziska, Huber Stephan M
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Tübingen, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Institute of Applied Physics, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
Cancers (Basel). 2019 Jan 18;11(1):110. doi: 10.3390/cancers11010110.
Tumor treating fields (TTFields) represent a novel FDA-approved treatment modality for patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. This therapy applies intermediate frequency alternating electric fields with low intensity to the tumor volume by the use of non-invasive transducer electrode arrays. Mechanistically, TTFields have been proposed to impair formation of the mitotic spindle apparatus and cytokinesis. In order to identify further potential molecular targets, here the effects of TTFields on Ca-signaling, ion channel activity in the plasma membrane, cell cycle, cell death, and clonogenic survival were tested in two human glioblastoma cell lines in vitro by fura-2 Ca imaging, patch-clamp cell-attached recordings, flow cytometry and pre-plated colony formation assay. In addition, the expression of voltage-gated Ca (Ca) channels was determined by real-time RT-PCR and their significance for the cellular TTFields response defined by knock-down and pharmacological blockade. As a result, TTFields stimulated in a cell line-dependent manner a Ca1.2-mediated Ca entry, G₁ or S phase cell cycle arrest, breakdown of the inner mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA degradation, and/or decline of clonogenic survival suggesting a tumoricidal action of TTFields. Moreover, inhibition of Ca1.2 by benidipine aggravated in one glioblastoma line the TTFields effects suggesting that Ca1.2-triggered signaling contributes to cellular TTFields stress response. In conclusion, the present study identified Ca1.2 channels as TTFields target in the plasma membrane and provides the rationale to combine TTFields therapy with Ca antagonists that are already in clinical use.
Cancers (Basel). 2019-1-18
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2013-5-9
Front Oncol. 2020-10-30
Oncotarget. 2018-11-27
Front Cell Neurosci. 2023-3-17
Int J Mol Sci. 2025-5-7
Cancers (Basel). 2025-4-2
iScience. 2023-11-23
Oncotarget. 2017-9-30
Cell Physiol Biochem. 2017
Curr Neuropharmacol. 2018