Electrical neuroimmunomodulation-a possible mechanism for wound and cancer treatment

Abstract

The authors begin the paper with a short review of what is known today about the effects of electric currents and fields on wound healing and cancer treatment. While many local mechanisms of electrotherapy are quite well determined, most of the knowledge regarding systemic mechanisms is still speculative. Probably the most rational explanation for such systemic mechanisms is based on bidirectional interconnections between the nervous system, which is primarily affected by electrostimulation, and the immune system. In recent years, much interest has been focused on the interactions between these two systems. After a recapitulation of the most important studies in the field, the authors present a model of the physiological interactions between the two systems. Using this model, the authors attempt to explain the global effect of electrical neurostimulation on wound healing and its possible use for cancer treatment.