Tumor treating fields: a novel treatment modality and its use in brain tumors.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Hottinger AF
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5035531 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Tumor treating fields: a novel treatment modality and its use in brain tumors.
Hottinger Andreas F AF Pacheco Patricia P Stupp Roger R
Neuro-oncology 20161001 10
Tumor treating fields (TTFields) are low-intensity electric fields alternating at an intermediate frequency (200kHz), which have been demonstrated to block cell division and interfere with organelle assembly. This novel treatment modality has shown promise in a variety of tumor types. It has been evaluated in randomized phase 3 trials in glioblastoma (GBM) and demonstrated to prolong progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) when administered together with standard maintenance te ...[more]
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Project description:Tumor treating fields (TTFields)-an intermediate-frequency, electric field therapy-has emerged as a promising alternative therapy for the treatment of solid cancers. Since the first publication describing the anticancer effects of TTFields in 2004 there have been numerous follow-up studies by other groups, either to confirm the efficacy of TTFields or to study the primary mechanism of interaction. The overwhelming conclusion from these in vitro studies is that TTFields reduce the viability of aggressively replicating cell lines. However, there is still speculation as to the primary mechanism for this effect; moreover, observations both in vitro and in vivo of inhibited migration and metastases have been made, which may be unrelated to the originally proposed hypothesis of replication stress. Adding to this, the in vivo environment is much more complex spatially, structurally, and involves intricate networks of cell signaling, all of which could change the efficacy of TTFields in the same way pharmaceutical interventions often struggle transitioning in vivo. Despite this, TTFields have shown promise in clinical practice on multiple cancer types, which begs the question: has the primary mechanism carried over from in vitro to in vivo or are there new mechanisms at play? The goal of this review is to highlight the current proposed mechanism of action of TTFields based primarily on in vitro experiments and animal models, provide a summary of the clinical efficacy of TTFields, and finally, propose future directions of research to identify all possible mechanisms in vivo utilizing novel tumor-on-a-chip platforms.
| S-EPMC8633677 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PurposeCerebral edema is an important component of brain metastasis, and its presence may alter the distribution of tumor-treating fields (TTFields). We therefore performed a computational study to model the extent of this alteration according to various edema conditions associated with the metastasis.Methods and materialsPostacquisition magnetic resonance imaging data sets were obtained from 2 patients with solitary brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer. After delineation of various anatomies, a 3-dimensional finite element mesh model was generated and then solved for the distribution of applied electric fields, rate of energy deposition, and current density at the gross tumor volume (GTV), edema, and other cranial structures. Electric field-volume histograms, specific absorption rate-volume histograms, and current density-volume histograms were generated, by which plan quality metrics were derived from and used to evaluate relative differences in field coverage between models under various conditions.ResultsChanges in the conductivity of cerebral edema altered the electric fields, rate of energy deposition, and current density at the GTV region. At the cerebral edema region, increasing electric conductivity of the edema only decreased the electric fields and rate of energy deposition while the current density increased. The ratio of edema-to-tumor is also important because the plan quality metrics increased linearly when the edema-to-GTV ratio decreased, and increased vice versa. Furthermore, a conductive necrotic core additionally altered the distribution of TTFields according to the plan quality metrics.ConclusionsOur modeling study demonstrated that cerebral edema alters the distribution of applied TTFields in patients. Personalized treatment planning will need to take into account the modulating effects of cerebral edema on TTFields as well as additional effects from a necrotic core inside the GTV.
| S-EPMC9723310 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Glioblastoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in the central nervous system. Due to the high plasticity, heterogeneity and complexity of the tumor microenvironment, these tumors are resistant to almost all therapeutic strategies when they reach an advanced stage. Along with being a unique and effective way to kill cancer cells, tumor-treating fields (TTFields) has emerged as a breakthrough among glioblastoma therapies since the advent of temozolomide (TMZ), and the combination of these treatments has gradually been promoted and applied in the clinic. The combination of TTFields with other therapies is particularly suitable for this type of "cold" tumors and has attracted a large amount of attention from clinicians and researchers in the era of cancer cocktail therapy. Here, we introduced the current treatment regimen for glioblastoma, highlighting the unique advantages of TTFields in the treatment of glioblastoma. Then, we summarized current glioblastoma clinical trials that combine TTFields and other therapies. In addition, the main and potential mechanisms of TTFields were introduced to further understand the rationale for each combination therapy. Finally, we focused on the most advanced technologies applied in glioblastoma research and treatment and the prospect of their combination with TTFields. This review provides a unique overview of glioblastoma treatment.
| S-EPMC8085847 | biostudies-literature
Project description:There is an unmet need to develop effective and tolerable treatments for pediatric patients with malignant central nervous system tumors. This is especially essential for pediatric patients with aggressive brain tumors such as high-grade gliomas, which have a typical survival rate of under 2 years. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are locoregional, noninvasive electric fields that produce an antimitotic effect on cancerous cells when applied to the skin via arrays. TTFields therapy (200 kHz) is currently approved in adult patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM), with temozolomide, and recurrent GBM as monotherapy. Positive preclinical and clinical data have encouraged off-label use of TTFields therapy in pediatric patients with brain tumors, and this study aims to explore the safety of TTFields therapy in pediatric patients (0-18 years of age) based on data from an unsolicited post-marketing surveillance safety database. The real-world data reported here demonstrate that TTFields therapy has a favorable safety profile for pediatric patients with brain tumors, with no new safety signals observed. Findings from this study warrant further research into the efficacy of TTFields therapy, as well as its potential impact on the quality of life in pediatric patients.
| S-EPMC9443515 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Non-small cell lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer all present with high morbidity and mortality. Systemic chemotherapies have historically been the cornerstone of standard of care (SOC) regimens for many cancers, but are associated with systemic toxicity. Multimodal treatment combinations can help improve patient outcomes; however, implementation is limited by additive toxicities and potential drug-drug interactions. As such, there is a high unmet need to develop additional therapies to enhance the efficacy of SOC treatments without increasing toxicity. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are electric fields that exert physical forces to disrupt cellular processes critical for cancer cell viability and tumor progression. The therapy is locoregional and is delivered noninvasively to the tumor site via a portable medical device that consists of field generator and arrays that are placed on the patient's skin. As a noninvasive treatment modality, TTFields therapy-related adverse events mainly consist of localized skin reactions, which are manageable with effective acute and prophylactic treatments. TTFields selectively target cancer cells through a multi-mechanistic approach without affecting healthy cells and tissues. Therefore, the application of TTFields therapy concomitant with other cancer treatments may lead to enhanced efficacy, with low risk of further systemic toxicity. In this review, we explore TTFields therapy concomitant with taxanes in both preclinical and clinical settings. The summarized data suggest that TTFields therapy concomitant with taxanes may be beneficial in the treatment of certain cancers.
| S-EPMC9913762 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Abstract Background Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) is an antimitotic cancer treatment that utilizes low intensity (1–3 V/cm) alternating electric fields in the intermediate frequency (100–300 kHz), approvedfor the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) located in the supratentorial regions of the brain. A clinical trial testing the efficacy of TTFields for treating brain metastases is currently underway (METIS, NCT02831959). TTFields are delivered via two pairs of transducer arrays placed on the patient’s skin in proximity to the tumor. The standard array layouts used to deliver TTFields involve placement of the arrays on the supratentorial regions of the head. Using these layouts, therapeutic field intensities above 1 V/cm are achieved within the surpatentorial brain. However, field intensities in the infratenorium fall to sub-therapeutic levels. . Brain metastases commonly occur in the infratentorium. In addition, infratentorial tumors are common in the pediatric population. Hence, there is a need to for array layouts that can be used to deliver TTFields effectively to the infratentorial brain. Here we present a new array layout designed to deliver high field intensities to the infratentorial brain. Materials and methods To simulate delivery of TTFields to the brain, realistic computerized head models of an adult human female and an adult human male were used. Virtual transducer arrays were placed on the models, and boundary conditions were set to simulate delivery of TTFields at 200 kHz. Various array layouts were tested, and field distributions resulting from the layouts were evaluated. Results In both models, TTfields was delivered to the infratentorium most effectively with a layout, in which each array of one pair was laterally placed superficially to the lower region of the occipital lobe, and the two arrays of the second pair were placed on the calvarium and the superior aspect of the neck. In both models, the pair of arrays in which one array was placed on the calvarium and one array on the superior aspect of the neck delivered field intensities above 1.1 V/cm to over 95% of the volume of the infratentorial brain, and the pair of arrays placed on the lateral aspects of the occipital lobe delivered field intensities above 1 V/cm to over 95% of the infratentorial brain. Both pairs of arrays delivered field intensities above 1 V/cm to significant portions of the supratentorial brain. Conclusions This work suggests a practical approach for delivering TTFields to the cerebellum, brain-stem and surrounding regions which are located inferior to the tentorium.
| S-EPMC6144458 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Abstract BACKGROUND High-grade meningioma are aggressive intracranial tumors and currently only limited treatment options exist. Therefore, there is a need for further studies in search of new therapies. Tumor Treating TTFields (TTFields) therapy serves as an effective treatment against glioblastoma (GBM). Phase 3 clinical trials investigate the use of TTFields in other intracranial tumors, i.e. brain metastases of the non-small cell lung cancer. We here provide an overview of the currently available data regarding the use of TTFields in meningioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a literature search using the term “Tumor treating fields” “NovoTTF”, “TTFields” and “Optune” in combination with “Meningioma”. A brief overview of TTFields in meningioma is provided here. RESULTS In vitro studies using patient-derived anaplastic grade III meningioma cell lines showed that TTFields treatment at a frequency of 200 kHz causes a significant reduction of cell proliferation and clonogenicity as well as altering cell morphology. In a case report of a 44-year-old woman suffering from a right anterior temporal tumor as well as a distant right parietal extra-axial convexity meningioma TTFields and Temozolomide treatment was initiated. Brain MRI scans 8, 16 and 20 weeks later showed a reduction in the meningioma tumor size of 42%, 58% & 60%, respectively. Currently, two ongoing trials test the efficacy and safety of the use of TTFields in meningioma patients: a phase II single arm trial (n=27), investigating the combination of TTFields and Bevacizumab in recurrent or progressive meningioma (NCT02847559); and a pilot trial, investigating the effects of TTFields as monotherapy on recurrent atypical and anaplastic meningioma (NCT01892397). CONCLUSIONS First data indicate that TTFields might be an option in future high-grade meningioma treatment. Clinical trials need to show safety and efficacy for the TTFields treatment in meningioma patients.
| S-EPMC7651609 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Despite extraordinary advances that have been achieved in the last few decades, cancer continues to represent a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Lethal cancer types ultimately become refractory to standard of care approaches; thus, novel effective treatment options are desperately needed. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are an innovative non-invasive regional anti-mitotic treatment modality with minimal systemic toxicity. TTFields are low intensity (1-3 V/cm), intermediate frequency (100-300 kHz) alternating electric fields delivered to cancer cells. In patients, TTFields are applied using FDA-approved transducer arrays, orthogonally positioned on the area surrounding the tumor region, with side effects mostly limited to the skin. The precise molecular mechanism of the anti-tumor effects of TTFields is not well-understood, but preclinical research on TTFields suggests it may act during two phases of mitosis: at metaphase, by disrupting the formation of the mitotic spindle, and at cytokinesis, by dielectrophoretic dislocation of intracellular organelles leading to cell death. This review describes the mechanism of action of TTFields and provides an overview of the most important in vitro studies that investigate the disruptive effects of TTFields in different cancer cells, focusing mainly on anti-mitotic roles. Lastly, we summarize completed and ongoing TTFields clinical trials on a variety of solid tumors.
| S-EPMC7664989 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThis review focuses on the recently published evidence on tumor treating fields (TTFields) administered alone or in combination with locoregional and systemic options for treating glioblastoma (GBM) in the past ten years. The aim is to critically summarize the novelty and results obtained with this innovative tool, which is becoming part of the armamentarium of neurosurgeons and neuro-oncologists.MethodsA comprehensive search and analysis were conducted on pivotal studies published in the past ten years. Furthermore, all completed clinical trials, whose results were published on clinicaltrials.gov, were examined and included in the present review, encompassing both recurrent (r) and newly diagnosed (n) GBM. Finally, an additional examination of the ongoing clinical trials was also conducted.ResultsRecent trials have shown promising results both in patients with nGBM and rGBM/progressive (rGBM), leading to Food and Drug Administration approval in selected patients and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons to include TTFields into current guidelines on the management of GBM (P100034/S001-029). Recently, different randomized trials have demonstrated promising results of TTFields in combination with standard treatment of n- and rGBM, especially when considering progression-free and overall survival, maintaining a low rate of mild to moderate adverse events.ConclusionOptimal outcomes were obtained in nGBM and progressive disease. A possible future refinement of TTFields could significantly impact the treatment of rGBM and the actual standard of care for GBM, given the better safety profile and survival effects.
| S-EPMC10695468 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are an FDA-approved anticancer treatment using alternating electric fields. Here, we present a protocol to perform live-cell imaging (LCI) of cells during TTFields treatment with the Inovitro LiveTM system. The setup we describe dissipates TTFields-related heat production and can be used in conjunction with any LCI-compatible microscope setup. This approach will enable further elucidation of TTFields' mechanism of action at the molecular level and facilitate the development of promising combination strategies.
| S-EPMC8971986 | biostudies-literature