Electric fields for the treatment of glioblastoma

Evaluation of: Stupp R, Wong ET, Kanner AA et al. NovoTTF-100A versus physician’s choice chemotherapy in recurrent glioblastoma: a randomised Phase III trial of a novel treatment modality. Eur. J. Cancer 48(14), 2192–2202 (2012).Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant cerebral tumor in adults, with a poor prognosis despite several therapeutic efforts. Electric fields (EFs) have shown promising results as a new anticancer treatment. Stupp et al. report on the first Phase III trial comparing EF versus chemotherapy in patients with recurrent GBM. The study was designed for superiority; although well conducted, it might not have shown it for a limited compliance in the EF group. Even with this limitation, the trial has shown at least equivalence of EF to chemotherapy, with a decreased toxicity and increased quality of life favoring EF. Further basic and clinical studies are warranted to increase knowledge, efficacy, compliance and cost–effectiveness. This trial has opened a new promising field in GBM treatment.