Modeling of Portable and Wearable Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Generators for Glioblastoma Treatment: A Simulation Study

The use of electromagnetic fields in tumor therapy has gained increasing attention, with notable examples such as Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). In recent years, research into the use of extremely low-frequency (ELF-MFs) and super-low frequency magnetic fields (SLF-MFs) for cancer treatment, particularly for breast cancer and glioblastoma, has significantly increased. However, unlike the aforementioned technologies, which have FDA- approved commercial products, ELF-MFs and SLF-MFs are predominantly at the stage of cellular experimentation. This research aims to bridge the gap between fundamental cellular studies and clinical applications by modeling and simulating therapeutic devices based on coil-generated extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MFs). Coils and head tissues were modeled in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.6 to calculate the magnetic flux intensity generated by the coils simulated by a constant current. The feasibility of coil-based therapies was assessed based on the computed results and previous research. Results indicated that the devices can produce magnetic flux density (B) within the range considered therapeutically beneficial for tumor inhibition, offering possibilities for portable and wearable devices. Additionally, the performance of different coils was compared in terms of energy conversion efficiency. Furthermore, this research discusses the feasibility of developing non-portable, larger-scale therapeutic devices that could be applied in clinical environments. These devices can be designed to leverage the unique properties of ELF-MFs, potentially providing an alternative approach to electromagnetic field cancer treatments.