Tumor treating fields therapy for glioblastoma: An update

Tumor treating fields are alternating electric fields that have a therapeutic effect on newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastomas. The fields act on cellular proteins with large dipole moment that are critical for tumor cells undergoing mitosis. This putative mechanism of mitotic disruption translates into a superior survival benefit for newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients when tested in a randomized clinical trial comparing tumor treating fields and temozolomide with temozolomide alone in the adjuvant setting. This review provides an updated summary of preclinical and clinical data, including the cell biology effects of tumor treating fields, computer simulation of the electric field distribution in patients, and the clinical efficacy data of this new therapeutic modality against glioblastoma.