Electric fields for the treatment of glioblastoma

Abstract

Evaluation of: Stupp R, Wong ET, Kanner AA et al. NovoTTF-100A versus physician’s choice chemotherapy in recurrent glioblastoma: a randomised Phase III trial of a novel treatment modality. Eur. J. Cancer 48(14), 2192–2202 (2012).

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant cerebral tumor in adults, with a poor prognosis despite several therapeutic efforts. Electric fields (EFs) have shown promising results as a new anticancer treatment. Stupp et al. report on the first Phase III trial comparing EF versus chemotherapy in patients with recurrent GBM. The study was designed for superiority; although well conducted, it might not have shown it for a limited compliance in the EF group. Even with this limitation, the trial has shown at least equivalence of EF to chemotherapy, with a decreased toxicity and increased quality of life favoring EF. Further basic and clinical studies are warranted to increase knowledge, efficacy, compliance and cost–effectiveness. This trial has opened a new promising field in GBM treatment.

Keywords::

• chemotherapy
• electric fields
• glioblastoma
• recurrent glioblastoma
• treatment
• trial
• tumor-treating fields

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.