Electric Field Treatment Shows Early Efficacy, Safety in Frontline Pancreatic Cancer

Fernando Rivera, MD, PhD

A device using tumor treating fields (TTF) that was administered to patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer showed early signs of tolerability and safety when in combination with gemcitabine in the frontline setting, according to results of a study presented at the 2016 ASCO Annual Meeting.¹ Additionally, the study continued with a second cohort, to which nab-paclitaxel (Abraxane) was added.

TTF, administered by the Optune device, has been approved by the FDA for use in glioblastoma, but this was the first trial to look at the electric field treatment in pancreatic cancer patients, according to study authors.

“These fields cause a small vibration in the cancer cell, and when it’s going to divide, the cell is very sensitive to this,” explained Fernando Rivera, MD, PhD, head, Department of Medical Oncology, at the Hospital General Universitario Marques de Valdecilla in Spain.

For the cohort, progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months was 56%. The 1-year survival rate was 55% (86% in those with locally-advanced disease), and the longest period of survival was 2 years, according to Rivera.

Twenty patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were enrolled in the study, 13 of whom (65%) had distant metastases, testing TTF with weekly gemcitabine. Half the patients experienced skin toxicity from the device, but only 2 of those were grade 3, and both resolved. While a total of 14 patients (70%) had serious adverse events, no serious events were attributable to the TTF aspect of their treatment, the abstract stated. The results were compared to published data for gemcitabine alone.

“We do have added toxicity in the form of skin irritation, which is sort of like contact dermatitis, but it can be handled pretty easily with topical ointments,” explained Eilon Kirson, MD, PhD, chief science officer of Novocure, in Jersey Isles, United Kingdom.

The median PFS in the cohort was 8.3 months. PFS for those with locally-advanced disease was 10.3 months, and 5.7 in metastatic patients. Median overall survival (OS) was 14.9 months. The rate of 1-year survival was 86% in those with locally-advanced disease, and 40% in metastatic patients. Thirty percent of evaluable tumors had a partial response, while 30% had stable disease.

While the study focused on safety and efficacy, compliance with TTF was measured at 78%. Participants wore the device an average of 14 hours per day, with a median duration of 5 months.

“This prototype of the initial device is like the initial cellphones, which were very big,” added Rivera, who presented the poster findings. “Glioblastoma data shows a threshold for optimal efficacy of Optune, which is 75% compliance, or an average of 18 hours a day,” said Kirson.

“We always continuously strive to improve compliance. It’s an important factor, because our treatment doesn’t have a half-life, so patients really need to keep the activity on. For example, the device has a compliance log that records the hours per day of its use, and we also have device support specialists who assist the patient throughout their therapy, even with lifestyle considerations, such as how do you carry it around, what do you do to hide things if you don’t want to show the device,” Kirson added.

The manufacturer has submitted an FDA application for a second generation of the device, which is half the size and weight of the first generation, that is designed for use by glioblastoma patients. However, that device is not expected to be used in pancreatic cancer trials.

“We’re still using the first-generation device for the second cohort, because for torso application of TTF we need a significantly higher power, because we’re distributing the energy to a larger volume. The power consumption is too high, and the battery in the second generation of Optune won’t last long enough, so we’re still using the 6-pound device,” explained Kirson.

As mentioned, researchers have finished accruing patients for the second cohort, with an expected follow-up of 6 months. “We are planning to expedite development. With the data we have, we are already planning a phase II program,” Kirson said.

Preliminary data for the glioblastoma patient study may be presented in October 2016 at the ESMO Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Rivera noted.

1. Rivera F, Gallego J, Guillen C, et al. PANOVA: A pilot study of TTFields concomitant with gemcitabine for front-line therapy of advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34 (suppl; abstr 4125).

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