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.

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.