A STUDY FOUND THAT RADIO-WAVE THERAPY IS SAFE FOR PEOPLE WITH LIVER CANCER

Edited by, SNEHA MAVIS

According to a recent study, a targeted therapy utilising non-thermal radiowaves is safe to be used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer.

For the study, a device called TheraBionic P1 developed by Pasche and Alexandre Barbault of TheraBionic GmbH Ettlingen, Germany was used. The device works by delivering cancer-specific, amplitude-modulated radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (AM RF EMF) programmed specifically for HCC. The frequencies employed are specific to the type of cancer that the patient has, as determined by tumour biopsies or blood work.

TheraBionic P1 is a hand-held device that emits radiofrequencies through a spoon-shaped antenna that is placed on the patient's tongue during therapy. It is delivered three times per day for one hour to transmit low levels of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields throughout the patient's body.

The current study included 18 patients with advanced HCC who were treated with the device. In addition, researchers examined previously published data on 41 patients from a phase II study as well as historical controls from past clinical studies.

The results demonstrated that it was possible to inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells in the body without harming healthy cells. "Our findings suggest a more than 30% improvement in overall survival in individuals with well-preserved liver function as well as those with more severe disease", Pasche added.