low enrollment

The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness and safety of the NovoTTF-200A device in patients with low-grade glioma when it's used by itself or used together with temozolomide. Researchers would also like to know whether the use of NovoTTF-200A, with or without temozolomide, is associated with fewer negative side effects on mental function that may be seen with other currently used treatment options.

Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 low-grade gliomas (LGGs) are diagnosed in adults each year in the United States. Based on a variety of prognostic factors the median overall survival ranges from 3 to 9 years.

NovoTTF-200A is a device that produces alternating electrical fields within the human body that disrupt cell division. These very low intensity intermediate frequency electric fields (TTFields) impair the growth of tumor cells through the arrest of cell division and inducing apoptosis.

Although FDA approved for the treatment of recurrent or progressive glioblastoma, further investigation of NovoTTF-200A is warranted, in the setting of low-grade glioma where it has the potential to stunt tumor growth without significant toxicity. NovoTTF-200A has also been shown to be safe combined with adjuvant 5-day temozolomide regimen in newly diagnosed glioblastoma in an ongoing clinical trial. Given the low proliferative index in low-grade gliomas, combining NovoTTF-200A with metronomic chemotherapy may be more effective.

This is a randomized, 2-arm, open label study of NovoTTF-200A alone or combined with daily temozolomide for the treatment of patients with newly diagnosed low-grade gliomas.

Patients will be randomized 1:1 to one of two arms for a total of 22 patients (11 per arm). Arm A will receive NovoTTF-200A only and Arm B will receive NovoTTF-200A and low-dose (50 mg/m2) daily temozolomide regimen.

All patients providing informed consent will be screened for eligibility. Baseline assessments will include vital signs, physical exam, blood hematology and chemistries, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) evaluation, Quality of Life (QOL) assessment using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (FACT-Br), a neurological exam and neuro-imaging (MRI) of brain. An extra blood sample will be collected for biomarker studies.

Clinical evaluations include physical exam, vitals, KPS, neurological exam and blood hematology and chemistries (obtained once every month throughout treatment). Neuro-imaging and assessment for response will be performed approximately every 3 months. QOL will be assessed with the KPS rating scale and the FACT-Br questionnaire at screening and then every six months during treatment. Blood will be collected for correlative studies on Day 1 of every even cycle. Any molecular information derived from the correlative studies or clinical care will be associated with the patient's response.

Patients will continue monthly cycles of treatment for 12 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity (whichever occurs first). For those in Arm B, patients may continue NovoTTF-200A treatment if temozolomide is discontinued early for toxicity. An end of treatment visit for clinical evaluations and safety assessments will be performed approximately four to six weeks of withdrawing from study treatment. Patients discontinuing study treatment will be followed at months 18 and 24 with tumor assessments if they discontinued from study treatment without disease progression and for survival.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Histologically confirmed low-grade glioma including astrocytoma grade 2, oligodendroglioma grade 2, or oligoastrocytoma grade 2.

• Tumor is supratentorially located and measureable.

• Disease that has not received prior radiation, radiosurgery, chemotherapy, or other investigational treatment directed at the brain tumor at any time. Previous surgical procedures is allowed.

• Age ≥ 18 years.

• Life expectancy > 12 weeks.

• Either not receiving steroids for disease symptoms or are on stable dose of steroids for at least 5 days.

• Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) ≥ 60%

• Adequate hematologic function evidenced by:

  • Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) ≥ 1.5 x 109/L
  • Platelet count ≥ 100 x 109/L
  • Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL

• Adequate renal function evidenced by:

  • AST/SGOT and ALT/SPGT ≤ 2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal
  • Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x institution's ULN
  • Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 x institution's ULN

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pilocytic astrocytoma, ganglioglioma, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, or dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumors are not eligible.
• Current or anticipated use of other investigational agents.
• Implanted electronic medical device in the brain (e.g., deep brain stimulator, vagus nerve stimulator, programmable shunt).
• Patients who are less than 4 weeks from surgery or have insufficient recovery from surgical-related trauma or wound healing.
• Severe or uncontrolled medical disorder that would, in the investigator's opinion, impair ability to receive study treatment (i.e., uncontrolled diabetes, chronic renal disease, chronic pulmonary disease or active, uncontrolled infection, psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements).
• Severe cardiac insufficiency (NYHA III or IV), with uncontrolled and/or unstable cardiac or coronary artery disease.
• Pregnant or nursing.