# Whole-brain Spectroscopy Guided Personalized Mapping of Transducer Arrays for Glioblastoma Patients Receiving Tumor Treating Fields

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $372,319

## Abstract

Abstract
Glioblastoma
therapy.
delivered
to
Despite promising clinical outcomes, significant
(GBM) is the deadliest of all brain cancers with a dismal prognosis despite aggressive multi-modal
 T umor treating fields (TTFields) are a recently approved loco-regional and noninvasive therapy
by placing transducer arrays on patient's shaved scalp close to the tumor. TTFields have been found
improve survival outcomes in GBM patients without causing any adverse effects on the quality of life (QoL).
 inter-individual variability in treatment response to
TTFieldsis observed. This isbecause only solid/contrast enhancing regions of tumors are targeted for TTFields
delivery in the current clinical practice. This is highly inadequate as GBMs are extremely infiltrative tumors that
invade extensively into adjacent normal brain regions beyond enhancing margins where inevitable recurrence
occurs. In
cellular
by
by
deliver
tumor
positioning
dose
with
choline/N-acetylaspartate
computational
patients
randomized
TTFields
experimental
array
response
end
will
acceptable
paradigm
contrast to conventional neuroimaging, proton MR spectroscopy derived choline (an indicator of tumor
proliferation) can detect occult microscopic tumor spread more accurately. We have demonstrated that
using advanced computational modeling, it i s possible to deliver three-fold increased TTFields dose to t umors
readjusting the layout of transducer arrays. In this proposed academic-industrial partnership, we aim to
 enhanced TTFields dose to the entire viable tumor bed by precise mapping of this i nfiltrative
 (precision diagnostics) and subsequent delivery of enhanced TTFields dose by optimized
 of transducer arrays (personalized therapeutics) . We hypothesize that enhanced TTFields
to tumor beds will achieve more effective cancer cell killing resulting in delayed tumor recurrence
increased overall survival (OS) of these patients. Whole brain spectroscopic imaging (WBSI) derived
 maps will be employed to dentify the target volume. Then, sophisticated
modeling will be used to design personalized placement of transducer arrays. A total of 155 GBM
after being treated with standard-of-care therapy and willing to receive TTFields will be recruited and
 into two treatment arms prior to i nitiation of TTFields. Patients in control arm (n=77) will receive
 based on target volume defined by contrast enhancement only (conventional array layout) and in
arm (n=78) will receive TTFields based on target volume defined by choline abnormality (alternate
 configuration). Dosimetry profile parameters will be computed from tumor beds to assess dose-clinical
relationships. Time to progression (TTP) and OS will be considered as primary and secondary study
points, respectively. Using WBSI, diffusion and perfusion MR imaging, a combined multiparametric approach
be utilized to compare treatment response from patients enrolled in two study arms. Lastly, we will establish
 QoL profile in patients receiving enhanced TTF...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10665663
- **Project number:** 5R01CA262584-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Sanjeev Chawla
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $372,319
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10665663

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10665663, Whole-brain Spectroscopy Guided Personalized Mapping of Transducer Arrays for Glioblastoma Patients Receiving Tumor Treating Fields (5R01CA262584-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10665663. Licensed CC0.

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