User experience with new, aesthetically improved transducer arrays for delivery of tumor treating fields for glioblastoma

Background: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are low-intensity, intermediate frequency alternating electric fields with anti-mitotic activity that are approved for the treatment of adults with newly diagnosed and recurrent supratentorial glioblastoma (GBM). TTFields are administered using the portable home-use Optune^Ò system, which is comprised of two main components – a preset electric field generator and the insulated transducer arrays (TAs). The current TAs provided to patients consist of 2 opposing pairs of TAs having ceramic disks (transducers) arranged within a white adhesive bandage designed to hold the TAs tightly to the shaved scalp at carefully predefined locations to optimize TTFields delivery to the tumor. In response to patient and healthcare provider requests, Novocure evaluated TAs with tan colored bandage material to minimize the stark appearance of the white TAs for patients and making the TAs more amenable for use in public settings.

Methods: This study was carried out in 25 newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM patients in Germany receiving Optune therapy. Patients KPS >70, caregiver support and skin intact at study initiation were asked to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed patient satisfaction with the comfort, aesthetics and convenience associated with the new tan TAs. Patients reported responses to the questionnaire at day 0 (white arrays) and days 7 and 28 (wearing the tan arrays). Median patient reported changes from baseline to Day 28 in responses in the questionnaire were compared using a Wilcoxon signed rank test.

Results: Patients reported the color of the TAs to be an important attribute (p<0.011) and that the tan arrays were less conspicuous than white arrays (p<0.0052). The participants in Germany found the color tan color was neither too dark nor too light (p<0.001). The participants felt that wearing the tan arrays were significantly cooler than the white arrays.

Conclusion: The Optune device is designed to minimize the treatment effect on patients’ activities of daily living. Results from Phase 3 clinical trials showed that efficacy of TTFields correlated with an optimal daily duration of treatment. Therefore, improvements addressing the GBM patients’ user experience with the tan colored TAs, which minimize calling attention to the patients’ medical condition, may help improve treatment compliance and patient satisfaction. Based on these results GBM patients in Europe are currently being switched to the tan TAs.