Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026

The Clinical Application of Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Glioblastoma
Published on: April 16, 2019
Skin toxicities associated with tumor treating fields: case based review.
Rimas V Lukas1, Kelley L Ratermann2, Eric T Wong3
1Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) show promise for glioblastoma treatment, improving survival when combined with standard therapies. While skin toxicity is common, preventative measures can mitigate this adverse event.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Devices
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) represent a novel anti-mitotic therapy.
- TTFields, delivered via the Novo TTF-100A device (Optune), are FDA-approved for recurrent glioblastoma.
- A recent Phase III trial demonstrated improved survival when TTFields were combined with temozolomide, radiation, and chemotherapy in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Observation:
- The most frequent adverse event associated with TTFields is dermatologic toxicity.
- Headaches were observed, but their incidence was similar between treatment arms in a key trial.
- This case review examines patient presentations, treatments, and outcomes related to TTFields therapy.
Findings:
- Preventative strategies and patient/operator education can significantly reduce the incidence of TTFields-related skin toxicity.
- The safety profile of TTFields when used concurrently with other agents like bevacizumab requires further investigation.
Implications:
- Wider adoption of TTFields for glioblastoma is anticipated.
- Understanding and managing dermatologic adverse events is crucial for optimizing TTFields therapy.
- Further research is needed to assess the safety and efficacy of TTFields in combination with novel therapeutic agents.
More Related Videos
08:14Determining the Optimal Inhibitory Frequency for Cancerous Cells Using Tumor Treating Fields TTFields
Published on: May 4, 2017
06:08Assessment of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell-Associated Toxicities Using an Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient-Derived Xenograft Mouse Model
Published on: February 10, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Toxic Reactions: Overview
Toxicity falls into two primary categories: local and systemic.
Local toxicity appears at the exposure site, such as protein denaturation caused by caustic substances.
In contrast, systemic toxicity requires the toxic agent's absorption and distribution,...
Drug Toxicity: Dose-Dependent Reactions
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions
Drug Toxicity: Overview
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Toxicokinetics: Overview