June 25, 2010. University of Illinois at Chicago participated in a multicenter, international for newly diagnosed patients, the most common type of aggressive brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme glioblastoma multiforme, which is supported by the use of medical devices that apply an electric field of the brain.
Clinical trials will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of research tools that target the cancer cells are growing rapidly with the frequency of the electric field. Treatment with the device will be tested in combination with standard therapy and maintenance therapy compared with standard care alone.
The Novo-TTF is a non-invasive medical devices that change the distribution of cells in brain cancer with an alternating electric field is called “tumor treating fields,” sent to the surface of the scalp electrodes isolated.
Standard treatment includes surgical removal of tumors, radiation and chemotherapy with temozolomide is an oral drug.
Dr. Herbert Engelhard, a professor of neurosurgery and a researcher for the trial at UIC, said in a pilot study, “the first who studied the data suggest this treatment can increase the length of time before disease progression and improve the average survival of patients newly diagnosed GBM.”
“The concept was simple enough,” he said. “Treatment of an electric field of visible tumors rapidly growing cancer cell death to stop them from achieving divide. And since the brain tumor cells have different electrical properties than normal cells, healthy cells are spared from damage.”
After baseline MRI is used to determine the location of the tumor, the doctor places several electrodes the patient’s head was shaved. Electrodes are connected to the Novo-TTF device powered by a battery health laptop. The patient remained with a portable device for 22 hours a day, unlimited, while continuing their daily activities.
About five of every 100,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with glioblastoma, according to the American Association of Brain Cancer. The glioblastoma multiforme is the most deadly brain tumors. Standard therapies often do not provide the drug and cause side effects that reduce quality of life.
“Unfortunately, many patients with aggressive brain tumors do not have much choice,” said Engelhard. “The goal is to provide new treatment options are expected to increase survival and improve their quality of life.”
Although not considered a cure for deadly brain tumors, treatment can prolong life for some people, “said Engelhard. However, as research in its early stages, the benefits of Novo-TTF for patients with GBM has not been determined.
Tags: Cancer, chemotherapy, Electric Brain Tumor, glioblastoma multiforme, oral drug, radiation, removal of tumors