Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) has announced positive topline results from the phase 3 Panova-3 clinical trial of tumor treating fields (TTFields) therapy for pancreatic cancer. The trial met its primary endpoint with a statistically significant improvement in overall survival for patients with unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated in the first-line with TTFields concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.
In the intent-to-treat population, patients treated with TTFields therapy concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel had a median overall survival of 16.20 months compared to 14.16 months in patients treated with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel alone, marking a statistically significant 2.0-month improvement. The survival rate benefit for patients treated with TTFields therapy increased over time with a 13% improvement in the overall survival rate at 12 months and a 33% improvement in survival rate at 24 months.
Novocure plans to file for regulatory approval of TTFields in unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on the Panova-3 trial results and intends to submit the full data for presentation at an upcoming medical congress. This marks Novocure's third positive phase 3 clinical trial in the last two years.
Additionally, Novocure continues to follow patients in its phase 2 Panova-4 trial, exploring the use of TTFields therapy together with atezolizumab, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel for the treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer, with data anticipated in 2026.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal cancers, with a five-year relative survival rate of just 12%. Physicians use different combinations of surgery, radiation, and pharmacological therapies to treat pancreatic cancer, depending on the stage of the disease. For patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, the standard of care is surgery followed by chemotherapy with or without radiation. However, most locally advanced cases are diagnosed once the cancer is no longer operable, generally leaving chemotherapy with or without radiation as the only treatment option.
TTFields are electric fields that exert physical forces to kill cancer cells via a variety of mechanisms. TTFields therapy can be added to cancer treatment modalities and demonstrates enhanced effects across solid tumor types when used with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibition, or targeted therapies in preclinical models. This provides clinical versatility that has the potential to help address treatment challenges across a range of solid tumors.
Novocure is a global oncology company working to extend survival in some of the most aggressive forms of cancer through the development and commercialization of its innovative therapy, TTFields. The company's global headquarters is located in Root, Switzerland, with U.S. headquarters in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and research and development facilities in Haifa, Israel. Following these announcements, the company's shares moved 29.7%, and are now trading at a price of $25.99. For more information, read the company's full 8-K submission here.
