Novocure, a global leader in oncology innovation, has long been at the forefront of advancing tumor treating fields (TTFields) therapy. This technology, already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for glioblastoma and mesothelioma, and most recently for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), harnesses electric fields to disrupt cancer cell division.
Building on this history of success, Novocure recently revealed promising Phase III results from the PANOVA-3 clinical trial, marking a significant milestone in pancreatic cancer treatment.
In the PANOVA-3 trial, TTFields therapy was evaluated in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel — standard chemotherapies for pancreatic cancer — as a first-line treatment for patients with unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
The trial’s findings demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in median overall survival. Patients treated with TTFields therapy had a median overall survival of 16.2 months compared to 14.2 months in those receiving chemotherapy alone. Over time, this benefit grew, with treated patients experiencing a 13 percent higher survival rate at one year and a 33 percent improvement at two years.
Related: Disrupting Cancer Cells on the Go: Novocure’s Optune Lua Device for Portable NSCLC Therapy
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, with a five-year survival rate of just 13 percent. The disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, leaving limited treatment options for many patients.
TTFields therapy aims to address these challenges by delivering low-intensity, alternating electric fields that disrupt cancer cell division while sparing healthy tissue. This multifaceted mechanism not only targets the structural integrity of cancer cells but also enhances immune responses and increases tumor permeability to improve the efficacy of other treatments.
Novocure’s broader pipeline underscores the versatility of TTFields therapy. Beyond pancreatic cancer, the company has advanced promising candidates into Phase III trials, including the METIS trial for delaying intracranial progression in brain metastases and the LUNAR trial, which improved survival in metastatic NSCLC.
Looking ahead, Novocure plans to seek regulatory approvals for TTFields therapy in pancreatic cancer and present the full PANOVA-3 data at an upcoming medical congress. The company is also eagerly anticipating results from its Phase II PANOVA-4 trial, which is exploring the combination of TTFields therapy with immunotherapy and chemotherapy in metastatic pancreatic cancer.
These efforts reaffirm Novocure’s commitment to transforming cancer care and delivering hope to patients facing some of the most aggressive forms of the disease.
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