Optune is an innovative, non-invasive therapy that uses Tumour Treating Fields (TTF) to disrupt the division of cancer cells. This promising treatment offers hope for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients, with clinical trials and real-world data supporting its potential to improve survival rates and slow tumor progression.
EVIDENCE in Brain Cancer
Optune’s most compelling evidence comes from the EF-14 trial, a large-scale, randomised phase 3 study that tested the combination of TTF with standard treatments for newly diagnosed GBM patients.
Improved Progression-Free Survival (PFS): Patients receiving TTF, in addition to standard therapies, saw a significant increase in PFS from 4.0 months to 6.7 months.
Overall Survival (OS) Boost: The median OS improved from 16.0 months to 20.9 months, with a 43% two-year survival rate in the TTF group compared to 31% in the standard treatment group.
These outcomes were particularly notable for their improvement in survival times, offering a significant leap forward in the treatment of GBM.
Compelling clinical evidence:
Support for TTF extends beyond controlled clinical trials. Real-world studies, such as the TIGER study in Germany and the xCures study in the U.S., have shown survival rates in line with the EF-14 trial, reinforcing the benefits of TTF in everyday clinical settings.
Prolonged use of the device was linked to better outcomes, underlining the importance of consistent treatment for achieving optimal survival results.
Real-world data validates clinical findings:
While the EF-14 trial showed remarkable results, there were some critiques. The trial’s non-blinded design could have introduced bias, and the TTF group received intensive patient care, which may have influenced outcomes. Despite these limitations, the evidence supporting TTF’s effectiveness remains strong.
Ongoing studies, such as the LUNAR-2 trial, continue to explore how TTF can be applied to a broader range of cancers and combined with other treatments to maximise patient benefit.
Limitations and ongoing research:
Optune represents a major advancement in glioblastoma treatment, supported by both clinical and real-world data. With continued research and growing adoption, TTF offers significant potential to improve outcomes for GBM and other cancers. As we look ahead, Optune may well be an essential tool in the fight against brain cancer.
