P24.03.B PATIENT AND CAREGIVER VIEWS ON AN INNOVATIVE SURGICALLY IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE TO DELIVER ELECTRIC FIELD THERAPY IN GLIOBLASTOMA

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Abstract BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain cancer in adults and carries a poor prognosis, with just 3% of those diagnosed surviving to 5 years. The standard of care (SOC) for glioblastoma has remained the same for the last 20 years: debulking brain surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Electric field therapy (EFT), or Tumour Treating Fields (TTFields), is a promising novel treatment option for glioblastoma but there is just one commercially available device, applied to the head externally. It is currently unavailable to GBM patients in the UK through the National Health Service (NHS). QV Bioelectronics is developing an implantable medical device to deliver EFT, called GRACE, and has recently undertaken several patient and public involvement (PPI) studies alongside charity and clinical partners to understand the views of patients and caregivers on glioblastoma treatment and emerging EFT research. MATERIAL AND METHODS 19 patients living with high grade glioma, of which glioblastoma is a subtype, and 6 caregivers were recruited to the PPI sessions. Four live workshops were conducted virtually in focus groups, each session lasting between 60 and 120 minutes. During the workshops, information was presented to participants with regular intervals for open-ended discussion. Material explored as part of the workshops included current treatment options for GBM, the design of GRACE, its eligibility criteria, and clinical trial design. A survey comprising 10 questions was also sent to a sample of participants prior to the workshops to understand views independent of technology developed by QV Bioelectronics. RESULTS The questionnaire was sent to 17 participants prior to the workshops, of whom 14 (82%) responded (8 patients and 6 caregivers). 100% strongly agreed that better treatment options for glioblastoma were needed, and only 21% were aware of TTFields as an approved therapy. 93% would consider an implanted medical device to deliver EFT as part of their or their close person’s treatment plan. During the workshops, the main concern expressed by participants was the impact of current treatment options on activities of daily living (ADLs) and quality of life. Participants felt that GRACE and its components were appropriate and would not hinder ADLs or negatively impact quality of life, and provided advice on patient-facing material. Participants expressed support for clinical trials and associated dissemination methods. CONCLUSION UK patients living with high grade glioma and their caregivers clearly outlined the current treatment gap in glioblastoma and the opportunities for improved therapy options.

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