J Neurooncol. 2026 Feb 16;177(1):1. doi: 10.1007/s11060-026-05467-w.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), as an emerging non-invasive therapeutic approach, has gradually demonstrated its potential as an adjuvant therapy in cancer treatment in recent years. Currently, TTFields has become an important adjunct to the standard treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). Real-world data on its clinical application, outcomes, and prognostic factors hold significant value for optimizing clinical practice. This study aims to evaluate the actual effectiveness of TTFields in treating GBM by providing clinical data and exploring potential clinical factors that may influence its efficacy.
METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort study that included 40 newly diagnosed glioblastoma (ndGBM) patients received TTFields treatment based on the Stupp regimen. Additionally, 48 ndGBM patients who did not receive TTFields treatment during the same period were selected as the control group through continuous sampling. Kaplan-Meier curves were employed to estimate the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in both groups. To identify factors affecting these outcomes and the efficacy of TTFields, a Cox regression analysis was subsequently performed on various clinical variables.
RESULTS: Patients receiving the TTFields demonstrated superior median PFS (12.0 months, 95%CI: 8.97-15.03) and OS (18.0 months, 95%CI: 13.65-22.35), versus 9.0 (95%CI: 7.06-10.94) and 12.0 (95%CI: 9.36-14.64) months in controls. Multivariate analysis showed that the extent of resection (P = 0.032, HR: 0.47, 95%CI: 0.24-0.94), the MGMT promoter methylation status (P = 0.024, HR: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.28-0.91) and whether accepted TTFields therapy (P = 0.022, HR: 0.50, 95%CI: 0.28-0.90) were independent prognostic factors affecting PFS. Additionally, patient compliance with TTFields therapy was significantly associated with their OS and PFS (OS: P = 0.004, HR: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.03-0.51; PFS: P = 0.007, HR: 0.24, 95%CI: 0.09-0.68). Further analysis revealed a certain relationship between the duration of TTFields therapy and survival. Comparative analysis revealed distinct survival outcomes based on treatment duration. The long-term (> 2 months) and short-term (≤ 2 months) TTFields groups had median OS of 21.0 (95%CI: 15.58-26.42) and 16.0 months (95%CI: 10.32-21.68) (P = 0.099), and median PFS of 20.0 (95%CI: 6.99-33.01) and 8.0 months (95%CI: 4.36-11.65) (P = 0.017), respectively, indicating a statistically significant PFS advantage for prolonged therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: The TTFields combined with Stupp regimen was associated with longer Survival outcome in patients with GBM. Additionally, higher patient compliance with TTFields treatment (≥ 0.81) and prolonged use of TTFields (> 2 months) are closely associated with improved prognosis.
PMID:41697534 | DOI:10.1007/s11060-026-05467-w
