TTFields and Mesothelioma

Tumor Treating Fields is part of a multimodal therapy plan that doctors prescribe alongside chemotherapy for mesothelioma. Clinical studies are ongoing to determine the best combinations of TTFields with other treatments, including mesothelioma immunotherapy drugs.

In May 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved TTFields to shrink and prevent new pleural mesothelioma tumors. At the time, TTFields became the first new FDA-approved mesothelioma cancer treatment in 15 years.

Novocure invented the Tumor Treating Fields technology that doctors have used since 2011 to treat an aggressive brain cancer variant known as glioblastoma. Previously known as the NovoTTF-100L System, the Tumor Treating Fields device is now known as Optune Lua.

Optune Lua is a first-line treatment option for malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. Eligible patients must have unresectable or metastatic disease, meaning they are not candidates for surgery.

Novocure has been developing and improving TTFields since 2000. In the STELLAR trial that led to FDA approval, malignant pleural mesothelioma patients had an overall survival of 18.2 months while on TTFields with chemotherapy. Patients on chemotherapy alone survived an average of 12.1 months.

Optune Lua is a portable personal treatment device that delivers electromagnetic field therapy through adhesive patches patients wear on their skin. The insulated pads connect to a battery the size of a small backpack and provide alternating electric field therapy to the patient’s tumor site.

The low-intensity, intermediate frequency electrical fields disrupt tumor cell division, slowing and preventing new tumor growth. In its current iteration, patients must also be on pemetrexed (Alimta) with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Patients wear the Tumor Treating Fields device for 18 to 20 hours per day while carrying the battery with them in a small bag. TTFields treatment is painless. Patients can remain relatively active and continue normal daily activities while on Optune Lua. The adhesive pads are replaceable whenever necessary.

Doctors prescribe chemotherapy every three weeks for six cycles while patients are on Optune Lua. Clinical trials have shown that the treatment combination can improve the survival rate of patients without increasing toxicity.

Novocure’s Optune Lua offers several benefits over other treatments for mesothelioma, including:

Results from the STELLAR clinical trial with NovoTTF-100L TTFields were significant:

Patients interested in Tumor Treating Fields should discuss the therapy with their mesothelioma specialist. Even if patients are eligible, more appropriate options may be available.

Optune Lua TTFields currently has FDA approval for patients who meet all the following indications:

Patients with an implanted electronic medical device may not be eligible for Optune Lua. The treatment could disrupt some pacemakers or defibrillators, but further testing is underway to determine safety with electronic medical devices.

As of February 2020, more than 75 cancer centers nationwide were certified to prescribe Optune Lua to malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. More cancer centers are also seeking certification and approval to offer the treatment.

While on TTFields with chemotherapy, the most common side effects include:

Other potential adverse effects are rare but may include:

Most patients on Optune Lua only experience mild symptoms, and the treatment does not increase the toxicity of chemotherapy.

Patients interested in Optune Lua as part of a multimodal treatment plan should discuss the treatment with their mesothelioma doctor. A specialist can help you review the potential side effects, risks and benefits of Tumor Treating Fields.