Novocure said the FDA has approved Optune Pax for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.
“In the Phase 3 PANOVA-3 trial, treatment with Optune Pax resulted in a statistically significant improvement in overall survival without adding to the systemic side effects commonly associated with existing therapies. It also significantly extended time to pain progression, helping to preserve overall quality of life, which is a priority when I am treating patients living with pancreatic cancer,” said Vincent Picozzi, M.D., MMM, medical oncologist and investigator in the PANOVA-3 trial. “With FDA approval, Optune Pax has the potential to be practice changing for the treatment of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.”
Optune Pax is a portable therapeutic device that delivers Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) non-invasively through wearable arrays. TTFields are alternating electric fields that target the electrical properties of cancer cells to disrupt processes critical for cancer cell division and survival, resulting in cell death without significantly affecting healthy cells.
“The FDA approval of Optune Pax marks the first new treatment in decades for people living with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Systemic therapies have shown poor bioavailability in pancreatic tumors, limiting their effectiveness. Optune Pax is a fundamentally different treatment, utilizing a biophysical approach that targets the unique electrical properties of cancer cells,” said Novocure CEO Frank Leonard. “This is a proud moment for Novocure and we look forward to bringing Optune Pax to patients and the healthcare providers who care for them.”
