Feasibility evaluation of tumor treating fields for brainstem gliomas
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By
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Anthony Yulin Chen
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Ryan Shah
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William Shi
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Noa Urman
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Nadav Shapira
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Nicholas Avgeropoulos
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Patrick Conlon
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Neil Mookerjee
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Wenyin Shi
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July 6, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Assessment of the Viability of Tumor Treating Fields for Treating Brainstem Gliomas
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Brainstem Gliomas |
| Key Mechanisms | Disruption of mitosis and inhibition of tumor growth through dielectrophoretic effects and microtubule interference. |
| Target Population | Patients with brainstem gliomas receiving radiation treatment. |
| Care Setting | Clinical evaluation of TTFields planning using MAXPOINT® system. |
Key Highlights
- TTFields have shown significant improvements in survival for supratentorial glioblastoma.
- Brainstem gliomas present unique therapeutic challenges due to their location.
- MAXPOINT® system allows for individualized treatment planning for infratentorial tumors.
- Study evaluated dosimetric performance of TTFields for brainstem gliomas.
- No patients received TTFields treatment as this was a simulation study.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Radiographic diagnosis of brainstem glioma using MRI and CT imaging.
Management
- Utilization of MAXPOINT® for individualized TTFields planning.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Assessment of local minimum field intensity and power density within the target volume.
Risks
- Concerns regarding toxicity to eloquent brainstem structures limit treatment options.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Seven consecutive patients with brainstem gliomas.
Inclusion criteria required availability of thin-cut volumetric MRI and CT imaging.
Clinical Best Practices
- Utilize patient-specific finite element models for treatment planning.
- Define gross tumor volume and peritumoral brain zone according to TTFields conventions.
- Review anatomical accuracy of segmentation by an experienced radiation oncologist.
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