Memristor Hypothesis in Malignant Charge Distribution

Abstract

Tissues in biological objects from the point of view of electromagnetic effects must be modeled not only for their conductivity. The ionic double layer induced by the electric field, built by electrolytic diffusion, must be counted. The micro (frequency dispersion phenomena) and macro (interfacial polarization), as well as more generalized by Nernst-Planck cells describe the biophysical aspects of this phenomena. The charge distribution depends on the processes and produces charge gradients in space. The dynamic feasibility of the-charge transition layer has memory and adaptability, working like a memristor in cancerous development. The memristor processes may complete the adaptation mechanisms of cancer cells to extremely stressful conditions. Our objective is to show the distribution and redistribution of space charges that generate memristors and internal currents like injury current (IC) in the development of cancer. We show some connected aspects of the modulated electrohyperthermia (mEHT) limiting the proliferation process in the micro-range like the macro-range electrochemotherapy (ECT) processes do. The internal polarization effects form space-charge, which characteristically differ in malignant and healthy environments. The electrical resistivity of the electrolytes depends on the distribution of the charges and concentrations of ions in the electrolytes, consequently the space-charge differences appear in the conductivity parameters too. The polarization heterogeneities caused by the irregularities of the healthy tissue induce a current (called injury current), which appears in the cancerous tumor as well. Due to the nonlinearity of the space-charge production and the differences of the relaxation time of the processes in various subunits. The tumor develops the space-charge which appears as an inductive component in the otherwise capacitive setting and forms a memristive behavior of the tumorous tissue. This continuously developing space-charge accommodates the tumor to the permanently changing conditions and helps the adopting the malignant cells in the new environment. Applying external radiofrequency electric field, the disturbance of the space-charge may change the conditions, and seek to reestablish the healthy homeostatic equilibrium, blocking the pathologic injury current components. The hypothetical memristive behavior of the tumor microenvironment and the tumor mass may be a biophysical addition to the adaption mechanisms of tumor cell and could provide a way to block the pathogen biophysical processes. An electric field in the direction of the place of disturbance from the healthy neighborhood appears, starting a current, which promotes cell migrations and wound healing, re-establishing homeostatic equilibrium. In pathological disturbance, the same process starts, which supports further proliferation, so its blocking is desired.