The use of tumor treating fields (TTFields) in combination with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel has demonstrated positive results for the treatment of unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer in the phase 3 PANOVA-3 clinical trial.
The trial randomized a total of 571 patients 1:1 to receive either TTFields therapy concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel, or gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone. Patients who underwent therapy with TTFields had a median overall survival (OS) rate of 16.20 months compared with 14.16 months in those who received gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone (HR=0.819; P=.039).
The survival rate benefit increased over time for patients treated with TTFields, with a 13% improvement in OS at 12 months and a 33% improvement in survival rate at 24 months. TTFields were well-tolerated with a consistent safety profile.
Nicolas Leupin, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Novocure, stated that “PANOVA-3 is the first and only phase 3 trial to demonstrate a statistically significant benefit in overall survival, specifically in unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer.”
The phase 2 PANOVA-4 trial continues to follow patients from PANOVA-3, where the safety and efficacy of TTFields combined with atezolizumab, gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for metastatic pancreatic cancer will be analyzed. The study is designed to determine the primary endpoint of disease control rate.
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