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.
De Bonis, P., Doglietto, F., Anile, C., Pompucci, A., Mangiola, A., Electric fields for the treatment of glioblastoma, <<EXPERT REVIEW NEUROTHERAPEUTICS>>, 2012; 12 (10): 1181-1184. [doi:10.1586/ern.12.112] [http://hdl.handle.net/10807/41593]
Electric fields for the treatment of glioblastoma
De Bonis, Pasquale;Doglietto, Francesco;Anile, Carmelo;Pompucci, Angelo;Mangiola, Annunziato
2012
Abstract
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.
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