Glioblastoma (GBM) remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with limited treatment options offering survival benefits. Tumour Treating Fields (TTF), marketed as Optune®, offers a promising solution. Approved in countries like the USA, Germany, and Israel, TTF has shown significant results in improving survival outcomes for patients with GBM. However, it is still not available as a standard treatment in the UK, despite the growing body of evidence supporting its effectiveness.
Advocacy for Tumour Treating Fields (TTF) in GBM treatment
One of the most significant studies supporting the use of TTF in GBM treatment is the EF-14 study, which demonstrated the following key findings:
-The addition of TTF to standard chemoradiotherapy led to a 4-month increase in median overall survival (OS) from 16.0 months to 20.9 months.
-The two-year survival rate increased from 31% in the chemotherapy-only group to 43% in the group receiving TTF.
-The five-year survival rate increased from 5% to 13%.
Key evidence supporting Tumour Treating Fields (TTF)
Further, the TIGER study - a real-world, retrospective study conducted in Germany - examined over 700 patients treated with TTF and found the following:
-Median overall survival was 19.6 months.
-The two-year survival rate was 42%.
-TTF was generally well-tolerated, with side effects mostly limited to skin irritation from the electrodes.
The evidence from the EF-14 trial was pivotal in leading to TTF’s approval in multiple countries. In the US, Optune® is approved for use alongside temozolomide as a first-line treatment for GBM patients.
While TTF is available privately in the UK, the cost is a significant barrier, with treatment priced at approximately £15,000-£20,000 per month. This is unaffordable for many patients, limiting access to those who have the financial means or the appropriate private insurance coverage. For a time, patients could access TTF through the TRIDENT trial, which recruited just 30 UK patients out of a total of 950 globally, but this trial has now closed.
In the UK, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) has not yet approved TTF for routine use, citing concerns over the cost-effectiveness of the treatment, despite the clear survival benefits and the relatively low number of adverse effects. NICE has not conducted a formal appraisal of TTF because of the high cost, and without their approval, access to the treatment remains limited.
Unfortunately, NICE’s refusal to fund TTF for GBM patients has led to missed opportunities for many people who could have benefited. As a result, there is still no national plan to fund this life-extending treatment for GBM patients in the UK. Unfortunately, NICE’s refusal to fund TTF for GBM patients has led to missed opportunities for many people who could have benefited.
Cost and accessibility of TTF in the UK
The evidence for TTF continues to grow, with ongoing studies like the EF-41 trial, which aims to gather further data to strengthen the case for TTF as a standard treatment. In addition, there are several global studies investigating TTF’s use in combination with other treatments for various cancers, such as brain metastases and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Further research will be crucial in changing NICE’s position and broadening access to this potentially life-saving treatment. Until then, advocacy remains essential to raise awareness and push for policy change.
Ongoing studies and the future of TTF in GBM treatment
Advocating for NICE to conduct a full appraisal and reconsider funding options.
Calling on policymakers to make TTF more widely available through the NHS.
Gathering evidence from clinicians, patients, and families to support the case for TTF in the UK.
Our primary goal is to advocate for the NHS and NICE to approve Tumour Treating Fields (Optune®) for routine clinical use in the UK. It is critical to create awareness and ensure that patients have access to cutting-edge, life-extending treatments like TTF.
We believe that more research and stronger clinical evidence - especially data from ongoing studies - will pave the way for NICE to reconsider its stance. As part of our efforts, we are working on:
The path forward: Advocacy for change
Copy and paste a pre-written letter that you can send to your MP today.
Together, we can make a difference and ensure that patients in the UK have access to the most effective treatments available.
Contact your local MP and express your support for expanding access to TTF as a treatment option.
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Engage with ongoing studies or stay informed about new research to strengthen our case for TTF approval.
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Share your personal experience or encourage others who have benefited from TTF to speak out and add their voices to the campaign.
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Share stories on social media about the benefits of TTF and the impact it could have on GBM patients in the UK.
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Sign petitions and encourage others to do the same to raise awareness of the need for TTF in the UK.
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You can make a difference in advocating for Tumour Treating Fields by taking the following actions:
