Tumor treating fields in neuro-oncology: Integration of alternating electric fields therapy into promising treatment strategies

Abstract

As the most recent innovation in cancer therapy that utilizes properties of the electromagnetic spectrum, tumor treating fields (TTFields) are non-invasive alternating electrical fields that target rapidly dividing tumor cells. In the patient, TTFields are delivered as regional treatment via two pairs of orthogonally positioned transducer arrays applied to the head or elsewhere on the body surface. Side effects are primarily localized to the skin. Since the initial proof-of-concept study published in 2007, the use of TTFields has become integrated into the standard-of-care multi-modality treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). In this review, we summarize the theory behind TTFields and describe how key mechanistic data helped guide pivotal clinical trials. We also highlight potential future applications.