scholarly journals ACTR-46. TUMOR TREATING FIELDS COMBINED WITH RADIOTHERAPY AND TEMOZOLOMIDE FOR THE TREATMENT OF NEWLY DIAGNOSED GLIOBLASTOMA: FINAL RESULTS FROM A PILOT STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi23-vi24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Grossman ◽  
Dror Limon ◽  
Felix Bokstein ◽  
Deborah Blumenthal ◽  
Camit Ben Harush ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are a non-invasive, loco-regional, anti-mitotic treatment comprising low intensity alternating electric fields approved for GBM. Preclinical data show that TTFields have a radio-sensitizing effect. This pilot study evaluated the safety and feasibility of TTFields/RT/TMZ in ndGBM patients. METHODS Patients with histologically confirmed ndGBM were treated with TTFields/RT/TMZ followed by maintenance TTFields and TMZ for up to 24 months. TTFields (200kHz) were delivered for >18 hours/day with removal of the transducer arrays during RT delivery. TMZ was administered at 75 mg/m2/daily for 6 weeks and RT at a total dose of 60 Gy. The primary endpoint was safety of the combined TTFields/RT/TMZ; secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Adverse events (AEs) were graded per CTCAE V4.0. RESULTS Ten patients were enrolled at a single center in Israel between April and December 2017. All patients had recovered from maximal debulking surgery or biopsy. Five patients (50%) had undergone gross total resection; rest had biopsy only. Median age was 59 and median KPS was 80. Median dose of RT was 60 Gy. Six patients (60%) reported at least one AE. The most common AE was TTFields-related skin toxicity reported in 4 patients (40%), of Grade 1–2 in severity. Two patients reported serious AEs (seizures and general deterioration) considered unrelated to TTFields. Median PFS with RT/TMZ/TTFields was 10.5 months. Median OS has not been reached. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of patients with TTFields-related skin toxicity was similar to that reported in EF-14 phase 3 study (52%). No other TTFields-related toxicities were reported. There was no increase in RT- or TMZ-related toxicities with TTFields/RT/TMZ combination. A phase 2 randomized study has been initiated to investigate the efficacy of concomitant RT/TMZ/TTFields in 60 ndGBM patients.

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii84-iii84
Author(s):  
R Grossman ◽  
F Bokstein ◽  
D Blumenthal ◽  
C Ben Harush ◽  
D Limon ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are a non-invasive, loco-regional, anti-mitotic treatment consisting of low intensity alternating electric fields. The combination of TTFields with maintenance temozolomide significantly improved survival versus temozolomide alone in the phase 3 EF-14 study in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (ndGBM). In preclinical studies, TTFields increased the number of glioma cells undergoing cellular death following radiotherapy (RT) by inhibiting DNA damage repair, suggesting a radio-sensitizing effect of TTFields. This pilot study is the first to evaluate the safety and feasibility of administering TTFields concomitant to RT and TMZ in ndGBM patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients diagnosed with ndGBM were treated with TTFields/RT/TMZ followed by maintenance TMZ and TTFields for up to 24 months. TTFields (200kHz) were delivered for >18 hours/day while the transducer arrays were removed during delivery of RT. TMZ was administered at a dose of 75 mg/m2/daily for 6 weeks and RT at a total dose of 60 Gy. The primary endpoint was safety of the combined TTFields/RT/TMZ; secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and toxicity. Adverse events (AEs) were graded according to CTCAE V4.0. RESULTS 10 ndGBM patients that recovered from maximal debulking surgery or biopsy were enrolled at a single center in Israel between April and December 2017. Five patients (50%) had undergone gross total resection while the rest had biopsy only. Eight of the patients were male, median age was 59, median KPS was 80 and median dose of RT was 60 Gy. Six patients (60%) reported at least one AE. The most common AE was TTFields-related skin toxicity, reported in four patients (40%), all of which were grade 1–2 in severity. Two patients reported serious AEs (seizures and general deterioration) that were considered unrelated to TTFields. Median PFS with RT/TMZ/TTFields was 10.5 months. Median OS has not yet been reached. CONCLUSION The proportion of patients with TTFields-related skin toxicity was similar to that reported in ndGBM patients in the randomized Phase III study (52%), where patients started TTFields at least 4 weeks after RT. No other TTFields-related toxicities were reported and there were no increase in RT- or TMZ-related toxicities as a result of combining TTFields with RT in addition to TMZ. Based on the safety and preliminary efficacy results of this pilot study, a phase II randomized study has been initiated to investigate the efficacy of concomitant RT/TMZ/TTFields in 60 ndGBM patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14535-e14535
Author(s):  
Rachel Grossman ◽  
Felix Bokstein ◽  
Deborah T. Blumenthal ◽  
Dror Limon ◽  
Carmit Ben Harush ◽  
...  

e14535 Background: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), a non-invasive, loco-regional, anti-mitotic treatment comprises low-intensity alternating electric fields. In the phase III EF-14 study in newly diagnosed glioblastoma (ndGBM), TTFields in combination with temozolomide (TMZ) significantly improved survival compared to TMZ alone. In preclinical studies TTFields had a radiosensitizing effect and increased the efficacy of radiation therapy (RT). This pilot study [NCT03780569] evaluated the feasibility and safety of TTFields administered concurrently with RT and TMZ in ndGBM patients. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed ndGBM were treated with TTFields/RT/TMZ followed by adjuvant TMZ/TTFields. TTFields (200 kHz) were delivered for ≥18 hours/day with transducer arrays removed during RT delivery. RT was administered to the tumor bed in 30 fractions (total dose 60 Gy) in combination with daily TMZ (75 mg/m2). In the adjuvant phase, patients received monthly TMZ (150–200 mg/m2 for 5 days) plus TTFields. The primary outcome was safety of the combined therapies; secondary outcomes included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Adverse events (AEs) were graded per CTCAE v4.0. Results: Ten patients were enrolled at a single center between April and December 2017. Median age was 60.2 years, median Karnofsky Performance Score was 90.0, and eight (80%) patients were male. Five (50%) patients had undergone tumor resection while the remainder had biopsy only. Eight patients experienced ≥1 RT treatment delay; delays were unrelated to TTFields treatment. All patients experienced ≥1 AE. Three patients suffered from serious AEs (urinary tract infection, confusional state, and decubitus ulcer) that were considered unrelated to TTFields. The most common AE was skin toxicity, reported in eight (80%) patients; all were of low severity (CTCAE grade 1–2) and were reported as related to TTFields treatment. Median PFS from enrollment was 8.9 months; median OS was not reached at the time of study closure. Conclusions: Eighty percent of patients experienced grade 1–2 TTFields-related skin toxicity. No other TTFields-related toxicities were observed and there was no increase in RT- or TMZ-related toxicities as a result of combining TTFields with these therapies. Based on the safety and preliminary efficacy results of this pilot study, a phase 2 randomized trial (N = 60; NCT03869242) and the Phase 3 TRIDENT trial have been initiated to further investigate the efficacy of concomitant RT/TMZ/TTFields in ndGBM. Clinical trial information: NCT03780569.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii58-ii58
Author(s):  
Zvi Ram ◽  
Chae-Yong Kim ◽  
Jay-Jiguang Zhu

Abstract BACKGROUND Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are an anti-mitotic, regional treatment that utilizes low intensity alternating electric fields delivered non-invasively to the tumor using a portable medical device. In the EF-14 phase 3 study leading to FDA approval, TTFields significantly extended survival in newly diagnosed GBM when added to maintenance temozolomide (TMZ). Elderly GBM patients usually have worse prognosis and often receive only partial treatment for the disease. This sub-group analysis examined the effects of TTFields in the elderly population (≥65 years of age) enrolled in the EF-14 study. METHODS All 134 elderly patients (≥65 years of age) from the EF-14’s intent-to-treat population were included in the analysis, Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), as well as adverse event frequency and severity were compared between the TMZ/TTFields arm and the TMZ alone arm. RESULTS The median age was 69 (range: 65–83), median KPS was 90%, and 69% were male. Median PFS from randomization was 6.5 months versus 3.9 months in the TMZ/TTFields versus TMZ alone arms, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.47 [95%CI 0.30, 0.74] P< 0.0236). Median OS was 17.4 months versus 13.7 months in the TMZ/TTFields versus TMZ alone arm, respectively (HR 0.51 [CI 0.33, 0.77] P< 0.020). Serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported in 39% of patients treated with TMZ/TTFields and in 33% of patients treated with TMZ alone. None of the SAEs were considered related to TTFields but attributed to TMZ or to the underlying disease. Grades 1–2 skin AEs related to TTFields were observed in 51% of patients. CONCLUSION Consistent with the overall outcome of the EF-14 study, elderly patients treated with TMZ/TTFields showed significantly better OS compared to patients on TMZ alone, and without increase in grade III or IV toxicity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii196-ii196
Author(s):  
Rachel Grossman ◽  
Dror Limon ◽  
Felix Bokstein ◽  
Carmit Ben Harosh ◽  
Deborah Blumenthal ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE In the EF-14 phase 3 trial, TTFields 9200 kHz) added to maintenance TMZ increased median OS to 20.9 months versus 16.0 months with maintenance TMZ (p< 0.001) in ndGBM. Preclinical investigations showed that TTFields/RT have a synergistic effect. A pilot study (N=10) in ndGBM demonstrated the feasibility and safety of TTFields combined with RT/TMZ (Grossman Front Onc 2020). The only TTFields-related adverse event was array-associated skin toxicity. Median PFS was 8.9 months. Based on these encouraging results, this prospective, randomized phase 2 study [NCT03869242] in 60 patients further investigates if the addition of TTFields TMZ/RT treatment in ndGBM patients improves treatment efficacy and delays disease progression. METHODS Following debulking surgery or biopsy, 60 patients (≥18 years) with histologically confirmed GBM, KPS≥70 and life expectancy >3 months will be randomized 1:1 to: i) RT with concomitant TMZ/TTFields (200 kHz) for 6 weeks followed by up to 6 months of maintenance TMZ combined with TTFields (experimental arm) up to 24 months; or ii) RT with concomitant TMZ alone followed by maintenance TMZ combined with TTFields (control arm). Patients with early progressive disease, significant comorbidities precluding maintenance RT or TMZ or with implanted electronic devices will be excluded. The primary endpoint is the rate of progression free survival at 12 months (PFS12). Treatment with TTF will be continued until second progression or 24 months (the earlier of the two). All patients will be followed for survival. All adverse events will graded per CTCAE V5.0. The sample size of 60 patients provides 80% power with two-sided alpha level of 0.05 to detect a PFS12 of 46.5% with RT/TMZ/TTFields compared to 29.4% with RT/TMZ followed, respectively, by maintenance TMZ/TTFields (calculated from the RT/TMZ followed by maintenance TMZ/TTFields arm of the EF-14 trial). Follow-up will continue for >12 months from recruitment of the last patient.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuo-Chen Wei ◽  
Peng-Wei Hsu ◽  
Hong-Chieh Tsai ◽  
Ya-Jui Lin ◽  
Ko-Ting Chen ◽  
...  

AbstractAsunercept (company code APG101 [Apogenix AG]; company code CAN008 [CANbridge Pharmaceuticals]) is a novel glycosylated fusion protein that has shown promising effectiveness in glioblastoma. This Phase I study was initiated to evaluate the tolerability and safety of asunercept in combination with standard radiotherapy and temozolomide (RT/TMZ) in Asian patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. This was the Phase I portion of a Phase I/II open label, multicenter trial of asunercept plus standard RT/TMZ. Adults with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma received surgical resection followed by standard RT/TMZ plus asunercept 200 mg/week (Cohort 1) or 400 mg/week (Cohort 2) by 30-min IV infusion. The primary endpoint was the safety and tolerability of asunercept during concurrent asunercept and RT/TMZ; dose-limiting toxicities were observed for each dose. Secondary endpoints included pharmacokinetics (PK) and 6-month progression-free survival (PFS6). All patients (Cohort 1, n = 3; Cohort 2, n = 7) completed ≥ 7 weeks of asunercept treatment. No DLTs were experienced. Only one possibly treatment-related treatment emergent adverse event (TEAE), Grade 1 gingival swelling, was observed. No Grade > 3 TEAEs were reported and no TEAE led to treatment discontinuation. Systemic asunercept exposure increased proportionally with dose and showed low inter-patient variability. The PFS6 rate was 33.3% and 57.1% for patients in Cohort 1 and 2, respectively. Patients in Cohort 2 maintained a PFS rate of 57.1% at Month 12. Adding asunercept to standard RT/TMZ was safe and well tolerated in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma and 400 mg/week resulted in encouraging efficacy.Trial registration NCT02853565, August 3, 2016.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (suppl_6) ◽  
pp. vi144-vi144
Author(s):  
Rachel Grossman ◽  
Felix Bokstein ◽  
Deborah Blumenthal ◽  
Carmit Ben Harush ◽  
Dror Limon ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (Supplement_6) ◽  
pp. vi282-vi282
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Arle ◽  
Eric Wong ◽  
Anders Korshoej ◽  
Socrates Dokos ◽  
Ze’ev Bomzon ◽  
...  

Abstract The efficacy of Tumor-Treating Fields (TTFields) rests on the result of a large-scale clinical trial that demonstrated an increase in the survival of newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients when combined with temozolomide chemotherapy. Overall survival now extends to over 60 months in some of our patients when dexamethasone, which we suspected of interference with TTFields effects, is replaced with celecoxib to control tumor-associated inflammation. The transcranial method of delivering TTFields has not changed in light of ongoing advances in deep brain stimulation (DBS) and transcranial electric stimulation (TES), notably that the resistivity of the skull is the principle obstacle to placing therapeutic electric field strength of 2 V/cm into target tumor sites and variation in skull thickness is the main difference in TES efficiency across individuals. Realistic human head finite element modeling (FEM) predicted that surgical craniectomy beneath TTFields’ electrodes would enhance field strength at target tumor sites. Here we show that 2 V/cm can be reliably delivered to tumor sites using minimally-invasive DBS cylindrical leads or ribbon electrode arrays, pre- or post-resection. Two objections arise to the in situ method: 1) Will TTFields stimulate axons in situ? 2) Will field strength exceed safety limits for cell damage? Neural stimulation modeling and experiments show that TTFields’ frequency of 200 kHz, 1–3 orders of magnitude higher than ion channel time constants, is too high to stimulate them. Furthermore, 2 V/cm is well below cell damage limits of 700 V/mm. Thus we propose a new delivery method to improve tumor control in glioblastoma patients and to provide valuable information on TTFields’ effects via cell studies using in situ electric fields at 200 kHz.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Rosendal Korshoej ◽  
Slavka Lukacova ◽  
Yasmin Lassen-Ramshad ◽  
Christian Rahbek ◽  
Kåre Eg Severinsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Preclinical studies suggest that skull remodeling surgery (SR-surgery) increases the dose of tumor treating fields (TTFields) in glioblastoma (GBM) and prevents wasteful current shunting through the skin. SR-surgery introduces minor skull defects to focus the cancer-inhibiting currents toward the tumor and increase the treatment dose. This study aimed to test the safety and feasibility of this concept in a phase I setting. Methods Fifteen adult patients with the first recurrence of GBM were treated with personalized SR-surgery, TTFields, and physician’s choice oncological therapy. The primary endpoint was toxicity and secondary endpoints included standard efficacy outcomes. Results SR-surgery resulted in a mean skull defect area of 10.6 cm2 producing a median TTFields enhancement of 32% (range 25–59%). The median TTFields treatment duration was 6.8 months and the median compliance rate 90%. Patients received either bevacizumab, bevacizumab/irinotecan, or temozolomide rechallenge. We observed 71 adverse events (AEs) of grades 1 (52%), 2 (35%), and 3 (13%). There were no grade 4 or 5 AEs or intervention-related serious AEs. Six patients experienced minor TTFields-induced skin rash. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.6 months and the PFS rate at 6 months was 36%. The median overall survival (OS) was 15.5 months and the OS rate at 12 months was 55%. Conclusions TTFields therapy combined with SR-surgery and medical oncological treatment is safe and nontoxic and holds the potential to improve the outcome for GBM patients through focal dose enhancement in the tumor.


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