Grant: Idea to Innovation

This proposal originated from an interdisciplinary team of four, each with unique expertise: physics, engineering, neurophysiology and neurosurgery. It builds on our team's published research findings that aggressive brain cancers (e.g. glioblastoma) are vulnerable to low intensity electric field stimulation, but not normal neurons. We proposed that such electric field stimulation is to be delivered by electrodes implanted directly into the tumor, or Intratumoral Modulation Therapy (IMT). Such implantation is commonly performed in the area of deep brain stimulation for the treatment of tremor in Parkinson's diseases. The difference is that we need to deliver the electric field to target the entire tumor with the fewest number of electrodes. Our team has found a computer optimization algorithm that does this well, with the result that when we rotate the electric field over time, we can cover a larger volume, and that each part of the tumor experiences electric field from many directions. We have termed this "Dynamically-oriented Electric Field Therapy" (DEFT). This Phase I reduction-to-practice project is to create a new treatment planning system (TPS) for IMT which integrates the computation and optimization of electric field from implanted electrodes. The TPS will optimize the placements of electrodes and their stimulation patterns for each individual patient that will take into consideration irregularly-shaped tumor targets. This step is a critical next step in enhancing the commercial value of the team's patent pending DEFT with this TPS as the product to engage industry partners. On average, 27 Canadians are diagnosed with a brain tumor every day. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy extends glioblastoma patients' survival from a few months to just over a year. This non-drug, long-term low intensity intratumoral approach holds promise, where currently, treatment options are limited with substantial side effects. This project will provide a go/no-go decision on the creation of a Canadian start-up company. Canada will benefit from the creation of high quality jobs and economic activity in the application of science and engineering to brain cancer.