Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32578135›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neuro-oncology2020

A systematic review of tumor treating fields therapy for high-grade gliomas.

Pavan P Shah, Taija White, Adham M Khalafallah, Carlos G Romo, Carrie Price, Debraj Mukherjee

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neuro-oncology, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.9field-weighted citation impact, top 13% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 22 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Pavan P ShahDepartment of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
Taija WhiteDepartment of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
Adham M KhalafallahDepartment of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
Carlos G RomoDepartment of Neurology, Brain Cancer Program, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
Carrie PriceWelch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
Debraj MukherjeeDepartment of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA. dmukher1@jhmi.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5403-8237
Johns Hopkins University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionTumor treating fields (TTF) is a unique treatment modality that utilizes alternating electric fields to deliver therapy. Treatment effects have been assessed in patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma in clinical trials and retrospective studies. While the results of these studies led to FDA approval for both populations, a portion of the neuro-oncology and neurosurgery community remains skeptical of TTF. Thus, this review aims to systematically summarize and evaluate prior studies investigating the efficacy and safety of TTF in patients with high-grade gliomas.

methodsA systematic review of the literature was performed according to PRISMA guidelines from database inception through February 2019. To be included, studies must have investigated the efficacy of TTF in adult high-grade glioma patients.

resultsIn total, 852 studies were initially identified, 9 of which met final inclusion criteria. In total, 1191 patients were identified who received TTF. Included studies consisted of two pilot clinical trials, two randomized clinical trials, and five retrospective studies. In randomized clinical trials, TTF improved survival for newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients but not for recurrent glioblastoma patients. Adverse skin reactions were the primary adverse effect associated with TTF.

conclusionWhile TTF has been evaluated for safety and efficacy in a number of studies, concerns remain regarding study design, quality of life, and cost of therapy. Further investigation is needed regarding the therapy, and ongoing trials are already underway to provide more data regarding therapy outcomes and interactions in combination regimens.

Indexed as

Quality of LifeBrain NeoplasmsClinical Trials as TopicElectric Stimulation TherapyGliomaHumansNeoplasm GradingNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalTreatment OutcomeAlternating electric fieldsGlioblastomaHigh grade gliomaTTFTumor treating fields

Identifiers

PMID32578135
OpenAlexW3037454832

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.