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Updated: May 17, 2026
The Clinical Application of Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Glioblastoma
Published on: April 16, 2019
Long-term survival of patients suffering from glioblastoma multiforme treated with tumor-treating fields
Aaron Michael Rulseh1, Jiří Keller, Jan Klener
1Department of Radiology, Na Homolce Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant primary intracranial tumor, and has a median survival of only 10 to 14 months with only 3 to 5% of patients surviving more than three years. Recurrence (RGBM) is nearly universal, and further decreases the median survival to only five to seven months with optimal therapy. Tumor-treating fields (TTField) therapy is a novel treatment technique that has recently received CE and FDA approval for the treatment of RGBM, and is based on the principle that low intensity, intermediate frequency electric fields (100 to 300 kHz) may induce apoptosis in specific cell types. Our center was the first to apply TTField treatment to histologically proven GBM in a small pilot study of 20 individuals in 2004 and 2005, and four of those original 20 patients are still alive today. We report two cases of GBM and two cases of RGBM treated by TTField therapy, all in good health and no longer receiving any treatment more than seven years after initiating TTField therapy, with no clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence.
Insights
Tumor-Treating Fields (TTField) therapy shows long-term efficacy in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients. Four patients treated in a 2004 pilot study remain alive and recurrence-free over seven years later.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Biophysics
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive primary brain tumor with poor prognosis.
- Recurrent GBM (rGBM) has a median survival of 5-7 months, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
Observation:
- Tumor-Treating Fields (TTField) therapy utilizes low-intensity, intermediate-frequency electric fields (100-300 kHz).
- TTField therapy received CE and FDA approval for rGBM treatment.
- A 2004 pilot study at our center was the first to apply TTField therapy to GBM patients.
Findings:
- Four out of 20 patients from the initial pilot study remain alive over seven years post-treatment.
- Two GBM and two rGBM cases treated with TTField therapy show no recurrence after more than seven years.
- Patients maintained good health without further treatment, demonstrating sustained efficacy.
Implications:
- TTField therapy offers a promising long-term treatment option for GBM and rGBM.
- Sustained disease control and improved survival observed in long-term follow-up.
- Potential for TTField therapy to significantly alter the management of glioblastoma multiforme.
