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FRIDAY, Feb. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with glioblastoma, the addition of tumor-treating fields (TTFields) to standard treatment with temozolomide is associated with improved survival without negative effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) other than itchy skin, according to a study published online Feb. 1 in JAMA Oncology<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Martin J.B. Taphoorn, M.D., from the Haaglanden Medical Center in the Netherlands, and colleagues examined the correlation of TTFields therapy with progression-free survival and HRQoL among patients with glioblastoma. A total of 695 patients with glioblastoma were randomized after radiochemotherapy to TTFields and temozolomide or temozolomide alone in a 2-to-1 ratio. Temozolomide was given for five days each 28-day cycle. TTFields were delivered continuously via transducer arrays placed on the shaved scalp of patients.<\/p>\n
The researchers found that there was no significant between-group difference in HRQoL except for more itchy skin with TTFields. Significantly longer deterioration-free survival was seen with TTFields for global health, physical and emotional functioning, pain, and leg weakness, likely related to improved progression-free survival. Reflecting the influence of treatment, time to deterioration did not differ significantly except for itchy skin (TTFields worse: 8.2 versus 14.4 months) and pain (TTFields improved: 13.4 versus 12.1 months). TTFields did not affect role, social, or physical functioning.<\/p>\n
“The addition of TTFields to standard treatment with temozolomide for patients with glioblastoma results in improved survival without a negative influence on HRQoL except for more itchy skin, an expected consequence from the transducer arrays,” the authors write.<\/p>\n
Several authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, including Novocure, which funded the study.<\/p>\n
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