ELECTRICAL HETEROGENEITY IN TUMORS: EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF ELECTRIC FIELD REDISTRIBUTION IN MULTILAYER PHANTOMS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ELECTROMETABOLIC MODELS
Abstract
Recent models describe tumors as electrodynamic systems in which the electric field modulates cellular metabolic processes. However, such approaches often assume simplified spatial conditions, neglecting the electrical heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment. In this study, a multilayer agar-NaCl phantom was developed with inclusions simulating tumors of different geometries (ellipsoidal and lenticular), selected for representing morphologies frequently observed in hepatic lesions. The system allowed experimental investigation of the spatial distribution of the electric potential (Vpp) and the electric gradient (E) under different stimulation conditions (10–25 Vpp; 10 Hz–33 kHz). The results demonstrated significant redistribution of the electric field in heterogeneous media, characterized by a reduction of the gradient inside the inclusions and intensification at the interface regions. Additionally, geometry significantly influenced the magnitude and spatial distribution of the field, with the lenticular shape showing greater gradient concentration in peripheral regions. Frequency variation did not significantly alter the spatial distribution, indicating predominantly resistive behavior of the system. These findings provide experimental validation for electrometabolic models and establish a physical basis for future studies integrating bioelectricity, tumor metabolism, and electric field-based therapies.
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