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ChemoTech has developed the patented technology platform TSE (Tumour Specific Electroporation) which involves treating superficial tumours with electrical impulses along with small doses of chemotherapy, which enhances the effect of the drug. By affecting the tumour cells with 5 kHz pulsating electric fields, channels are formed in the cells’ plasma membranes, which increases the passage of cytotoxic drugs into the tumour cells. Cytostatics, which is inactive outside the tumour cells, become active through the action of pulsating electric fields that flow into the tumour cells and breaks down its DNA, killing the cells. TSE also makes it possible to treat non-responsive tumours and tumours in sensitive locations.

IQwave™ – TSE (Tumour Specific Electroporation)

TSE has mainly been used for treating solid and superficial malignant tumours. By subjecting the tumour cells to pulsating electrical fields, channels are formed in the cell membrane, which improves the uptake of cytotoxic drugs into the tumour cells. ChemoTech has developed this new generation of electroporation and a new treat­ment protocol called D-EECT. D-EECT has in a recent publication shown to give better clinical outcome compared to the old protocol, especially for larger tumours (”Dynamic-ElectroEnhanced ChemoTherapy brings relief to palliative patients with large tumour burden” Kalavathy Gurusamy1, Gurumurthy G2, Rajesh Kar3, Saravanan4, Asoke Mathew5 and Persson Bertil R.R.6)

IQwave™ and TSE offers five unique advantages:

  1. The first portable electroporation device for electrochemotherapy
  2. A dynamic pulse to reduce the risk of irreversible electroporation and ablation of tissue
  3. IQwave’s dynamic pulses are delivered in multiple directions to minimise the risk of untreated areas
  4. Specific treatment modes for oral cavity
  5. D-EECT improves the response rate on larger tumours (> 3 cm)

What forms of cancer can ChemoTech treat with IQwave™?

The current standard protocol for electrochemotherapy was established in 2006 by the ESOPE study (European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy). Currently, electrochemotherapy is used in the following indications: Head and neck cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, breast cancer, salivary gland cancer, kidney cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma and transitional cell cancer.

ChemoTech’s first product, IQwave™, has treated several different types of cancer indications, including head and neck cancer, oral cavity cancer and breast cancer, among others. The focus is primarily palliative, i.e., relief treatment at the end of life, but the effect of the treatment can also in some cases be curative.

Powerful treatment enhances the effects of the electroporation

The IQwave™ system enhances the effects of the electroporation by opening up small pores in the tumour cells, giving the injected chemotherapeutic substance direct access to the DNA of the target cells. Combined with the coagulation effect created by the hi-voltage electric field, the cancer cells go into rapid necrosis. In some cases, treatment has shown that correctly adapted dynamic pulses result in a powerful immunotherapeutic effect. The IQwave™ dynamic feature is designed to maximise this effect. Since electroporation can normally be performed under local anaesthesia and light sedation, it is comparatively painless as well as time-efficient. A complete treatment cycle only takes 15-25 minutes.

Indications

The current protocol for electrochemotherapy was established in 2006 through the ESOPE study (European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy). The current indications for electrochemotherapy treatments are:

Function

With IQwave™, traditional electroporation is combined with multi-directional electric fields that improve the current coverage throughout the tissue being treated. With its IQ calibration system, the IQwave™ enables treatment using applicators of different sizes; a technology that offers the unique possibility to treat tumours in hard-to-reach places such as the oral cavity and tongue base.

Thanks to its integrated tumour database physicians will, in the near future, be able to exchange general treatment data with other physicians. By using the latest technology and components, IQwave™ is designed to be both portable and light for easy transport and storage.