Tumor treating fields: concept, evidence and future

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Physics
• Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

• Local tumor control is crucial for cancer treatment, both curative and palliative.
• Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) utilize low-intensity electric fields to disrupt cancer cell mitosis.
• TTFields selectively target dividing cells, sparing non-dividing cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review preclinical and clinical evidence of TTFields efficacy.
• To summarize clinical experience in glioblastoma multiforme and non-small cell lung cancer.
• To explore potential future applications of TTFields in cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies on TTFields.
• Summary of clinical data from Phase III and Phase II trials.
• Analysis of TTFields as monotherapy and in combination with cytotoxic agents.

Main Results:

• TTFields significantly improved median overall survival in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme compared to standard care.
• Quality of life was enhanced in the TTFields group for glioblastoma patients.
• A Phase II study in non-small cell lung cancer showed a median OS of 13.8 months when TTFields were combined with pemetrexed.

Conclusions:

• Preclinical data and clinical results suggest TTFields are a promising novel cancer treatment.
• TTFields demonstrated efficacy in glioblastoma and non-small cell lung cancer with minimal side effects (primarily skin reactions).
• Further evaluation in combination therapies, maintenance, or salvage treatment is warranted.