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A new medical device has been shown in a pilot clinical trial to enhance the efficacy of standard chemotherapy treatment in patients newly diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme.
The Novo-TTF, a noninvasive device that uses low intensity alternating electric fields to destroy cancer cells, was found to enhance the antitumour effects of standard chemotherapy.
The pilot trial showed that combination therapy prolonged time to disease progression by nearly 31 months and increased survival by more than 25 months compared with standard chemotherapy alone.
Eilon Kirson, medical director of NovoCure, which manufactures the Novo-TTF, commented: “The pilot study further demonstrated that the Novo-TTF device can be applied over an extended period of time without significant toxicity.
“These results are promising as NovoCure continues to evaluate the use of the device in combination with standard-of-care chemotherapies.
“This data adds to the growing body of evidence of Novo-TTF’s potential to enhance standard therapy and potentially improve patient outcomes.”
The Novo-TTF device works to disrupt cancer cell proliferation and tumour growth by generating low intensity, intermediate frequency, alternating electric fields within a tumour. It is currently an investigational medical device and is not yet approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Copyright Press Association 2008
