Abstract: Viability of cancer cells (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma cells) can be reduced by administering sorafenib to the cancer cells and applying an alternating electric field with a frequency between 100 and 400 kHz to the cancer cells. Viability of cancer cells (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma cells) disposed in a body of a living subject can be reduced by administering sorafenib to the subject and applying an alternating electric field with a frequency between 100 and 400 kHz to the cancer cells. Notably, experiments show that the combination of sorafenib and the alternating electric field produces synergistic results both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for preventing or disrupting mitosis of pluripotent stem cells, killing pluripotent stem cells, preventing or disrupting division of pluripotent stem cells, reducing the viability of pluripotent stem cells, slowing the progression or differentiation of pluripotent stem cells, and treating an ectopic pregnancy.

Abstract: Many drugs and other molecules cannot ordinarily traverse the blood brain barrier (BBB). However, when alternating electric fields at certain optimum frequencies (e.g., 100 kHz) are applied to the brain, the BBB becomes permeable to those molecules. When the alternating electric fields are discontinued, the BBB eventually recovers to its original impermeable state. Subsequently, re-application of alternating electric fields at the optimum frequencies will re-open the BBB. Ordinarily, many frequencies (e.g., 200 kHz) of alternating electric fields are either ineffective or less effective at inducing permeability than the optimum frequencies. But once the BBB has been opened by applying alternating electric fields at the optimum frequencies, alternating electric fields at non-optimum frequencies can maintain the permeability of a previously-opened BBB.

Abstract: Damage from autoimmune diseases can be prevented or minimized by positioning a plurality of electrodes in or on a subject's body, and applying an AC voltage between the plurality of electrodes so as to impose an alternating electric field through the tissue that is being attacked by the autoimmune disease and/or draining lymph nodes associated with that tissue. The frequency and field strength of the alternating electric field are selected such that the alternating electric field inhibits proliferation of T cells in the tissue to an extent that reduces damage that is caused by the autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of imaging a cancer cell, the method comprising applying a first alternating electric field at a first frequency to the cancer cell for a first period of time, wherein application of the first alternating electric field at the first frequency to the cancer cell for the first period of time increases permeability of cell membranes of the cancer cell; introducing a nanoparticle to the cancer cell, wherein the increased permeability of the cell membranes enables the nanoparticle to cross the cancer cell membrane; and imaging the cancer cell.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of altering the electric impedance to an alternating electric field in a target site of a subject, comprising introducing a nanoparticle to a target site in the subject; and applying an alternating electric field to the target site of the subject, wherein the electric impedance in the target site of the subject to the alternating current is altered. Disclosed are methods for improving transport of a nanoparticle across a cell membrane of a cell, the method comprising applying an alternating electric field to the cell for a period of time, wherein application of the alternating electric field increases permeability of the cell membrane; and introducing the nanoparticle to the cell, wherein the increased permeability of the cell membrane enables the nanoparticle to cross the cell membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for and methods of altering the electric impedance to an alternating electric field in a target site of a subject. Disclosed are compositions for methods of improving transport of a nanoparticle across a cell membrane of a cell.

Abstract: Damage from autoimmune diseases can be prevented or minimized by positioning a plurality of electrodes in or on a subject's body, and applying an AC voltage between the plurality of electrodes so as to impose an alternating electric field through the tissue that is being attacked by the autoimmune disease and/or draining lymph nodes associated with that tissue. The frequency and field strength of the alternating electric field are selected such that the alternating electric field inhibits proliferation of T cells in the tissue to an extent that reduces damage that is caused by the autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Certain substances (e.g., large molecules) that ordinarily cannot traverse the blood brain barrier can be introduced into the brain by applying an alternating electric field to the brain for a period of time, wherein the frequency of the alternating electric field is selected so that application of the alternating electric field increases permeability of the blood brain barrier. In some embodiments, the frequency of the alternating electric field is less than 190 kHz (e.g., 100 kHz). Once the permeability of the blood brain barrier has been increased, the substance is able to cross the blood brain barrier.

Abstract: A reduction in viability of cancer cells (e.g., glioblastoma) and a reduction in tumor volume can be achieved by applying a 100-500 kHz (e.g., 200 kHz) alternating electric field to the cancer cells and inhibiting IL11 (interleukin-11) activity and optionally administering and anti-fibrotic agent. The inhibiting of IL11 activity may be accomplished, for example, by decreasing IL11 expression, inhibiting IL11 signaling, downregulating IL11, neutralizing IL11, blocking an IL11 receptor, administering an IL11 antagonist, administering an IL11 neutralizing antibody, or administering an IL11 receptor ? (IL11Ra) neutralizing antibody.

Abstract: Certain substances (e.g., large molecules) that ordinarily cannot traverse the blood brain barrier can be introduced into the brain by applying an alternating electric field to the brain for a period of time, wherein the frequency of the alternating electric field is selected so that application of the alternating electric field increases permeability of the blood brain barrier. In some embodiments, the frequency of the alternating electric field is less than 190 kHz (e.g., 100 kHz). Once the permeability of the blood brain barrier has been increased, the substance is able to cross the blood brain barrier.

Abstract: Tumor treating fields (TTFields) can be delivered by implanting a plurality of sets of implantable electrode elements within a person's body. Temperature sensors positioned to measure the temperature at the electrode elements are also implanted, along with a circuit that collects temperature measurements from the temperature sensors. In some embodiments, an AC voltage generator configured to apply an AC voltage across the plurality of sets of electrode elements is also implanted within the person's body.

Abstract: Certain substances (e.g., large molecules) that ordinarily cannot traverse the cell membrane of cells can be introduced into cells by applying an alternating electric field to the cell for a period of time, wherein the frequency of the alternating electric field is selected so that application of the alternating electric field increases permeability of the cell membrane. Once the permeability of the cell membrane has been increased, the substance is able to cross the cell membrane. This approach is particularly useful in the context of cancer cells (e.g., glioblastoma).

Abstract: Cancer cells can be synchronized to the G2/M phase by delivering an anti-microtubule agent (e.g., paclitaxel or another taxane) to the cancer cells, and applying an alternating electric field with a frequency between 100 and 500 kHz to the cancer cells, wherein at least a portion of the applying step is performed simultaneously with at least a portion of the delivering step. This synchronization can be taken advantage of by treating the cancer cells with radiation therapy after the combined action of the delivering step and the applying step has increased a proportion of cancer cells that are in the G2/M phase. The optimal frequency and field strength will depend on the particular type of cancer cell being treated. For certain cancers, this frequency will be between 125 and 250 kHz (e.g., 200 kHz) and the field strength will be at least 1 V/cm.

Abstract: Damage from autoimmune diseases can be prevented or minimized by positioning a plurality of electrodes in or on a subject's body, and applying an AC voltage between the plurality of electrodes so as to impose an alternating electric field through the tissue that is being attacked by the autoimmune disease and/or draining lymph nodes associated with that tissue. The frequency and field strength of the alternating electric field are selected such that the alternating electric field inhibits proliferation of T cells in the tissue to an extent that reduces damage that is caused by the autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Certain substances (e.g., large molecules) that ordinarily cannot traverse the blood brain barrier can be introduced into the brain by applying an alternating electric field to the brain for a period of time, wherein the frequency of the alternating electric field is selected so that application of the alternating electric field increases permeability of the blood brain barrier. In some embodiments, the frequency of the alternating electric field is less than 190 kHz (e.g., 100 kHz). Once the permeability of the blood brain barrier has been increased, the substance is able to cross the blood brain barrier.

Abstract: Certain substances (e.g., large molecules) that ordinarily cannot traverse the blood brain barrier can be introduced into the brain by applying an alternating electric field to the brain for a period of time, wherein the frequency of the alternating electric field is selected so that application of the alternating electric field increases permeability of the blood brain barrier. In some embodiments, the frequency of the alternating electric field is less than 190 kHz (e.g., 100 kHz). Once the permeability of the blood brain barrier has been increased, the substance is able to cross the blood brain barrier.

Abstract: Viability of cancer cells (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma cells) can be reduced by administering sorafenib to the cancer cells and applying an alternating electric field with a frequency between 100 and 400 kHz to the cancer cells. Viability of cancer cells (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma cells) disposed in a body of a living subject can be reduced by administering sorafenib to the subject and applying an alternating electric field with a frequency between 100 and 400 kHz to the cancer cells. Notably, experiments show that the combination of sorafenib and the alternating electric field produces synergistic results both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: Viral infections in a target region can be inhibited by imposing an alternating electric field in the target region for a duration of time. The alternating electric field has a frequency and a field strength such that when the alternating electric field is imposed in the target region for the duration of time, the alternating electric field inhibits infection of the cells in the target region by the virus. Optionally, the inhibition of viral infections using the alternating electric field approach can be combined with delivering an antiviral agent to the target region so that a therapeutically effective dose of the antiviral agent is present in the target region while the alternating electric fields are imposed.

Abstract: Certain substances (e.g., large molecules) that ordinarily cannot traverse the cell membrane of cells can be introduced into cells by applying an alternating electric field to the cell for a period of time, wherein the frequency of the alternating electric field is selected so that application of the alternating electric field increases permeability of the cell membrane. Once the permeability of the cell membrane has been increased, the substance is able to cross the cell membrane. This approach is particularly useful in the context of cancer cells (e.g., glioblastoma).