Tumor-Treating Fields in Glioblastomas: Past, Present, and Future

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biophysics
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Glioblastomas (GBMs) are aggressive primary brain tumors with limited treatment options.
• Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) represent an innovative, noninvasive therapeutic modality for GBM management.
• TTFields have demonstrated efficacy in prolonging patient survival in clinical trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated review of Tumor-Treating Fields (TTFields) for glioblastoma (GBM).
• To summarize the past, present, and future applications and mechanisms of TTFields in GBM treatment.
• To discuss the safety, efficacy, and potential combination therapies involving TTFields for GBM.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent milestone randomized trials and observational data on TTFields for GBM.
• Analysis of the proposed mechanisms of action for TTFields in cancer therapy.
• Examination of ongoing clinical trials evaluating TTFields in GBM.

Main Results:

• TTFields therapy significantly prolongs patient survival in GBM with acceptable adverse events.
• TTFields exert their effects through multiple mechanisms, including disruption of mitosis, DNA repair, and angiogenesis.
• TTFields show potential for enhancing antitumor immunity and increasing drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

Conclusions:

• TTFields are a viable and effective treatment option for glioblastomas, offering prolonged survival.
• The multifaceted mechanisms of TTFields support their use as a standalone or combination therapy.
• Further research and clinical trials are essential to optimize TTFields' role in GBM treatment and increase real-world acceptance.