Dr. Grossman Discusses TTFields for Glioblastoma

Rachel Grossman, MD, Neurosurgery Department, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, discusses tumor treating fields (TTFields) for the treatment of patients with glioblastoma (GBM).

TTFields are a locoregional, noninvasive, antimitotic treatment modality based on the delivery of low-intensity alternating electric fields to the tumor, Grossman says. In 2017, a phase III study showed an enhanced survival in patients with GBM who were treated with TTFields in addition to standard radiation and temozolomide (Temodar). This, paired with preclinical studies demonstrating synergy between radiation therapy and TTFields, provided the rationale to test the toxicity profile in newly-diagnosed patients with GBM.

Findings from a pilot study presented at the 2018 AACR Annual Meeting showed a favorable safety profile for the combination of TTFields and radiotherapy. Other than TTFields-related skin toxicity, which occurred in 40% of patients, there were no other toxicities reported. Additionally, there was no increase in radiotherapy- or temozolomide-related toxicities.