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Aug 16, 2023

Novocure's electric fields device prolongs survival in lung cancer

By Adam Feuerstein June 6, 2023 CHICAGO — A medical device made by Novocure that

By Adam Feuerstein June 6, 2023

CHICAGO — A medical device made by Novocure that creates electric fields in the lungs via wearable skin patches extended the survival of patients with lung cancer in a clinical trial, researchers reported Monday.

The findings could lead to a new approval for the device, called Optune, beyond its current marketing clearance to treat a type of brain cancer. Delivering additional sales, however, could be a significant challenge.

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Novocure's study achieved its primary goal and showed a survival benefit for patients with lung cancer that progressed following initial chemotherapy. But those data don't fit the current medical practice for patients with lung cancer because nearly 70% of study participants didn't receive initial treatment with an immune checkpoint inhibitor such as Merck's Keytruda, which has come to dominate current therapy.

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Senior Writer, Biotech

Adam Feuerstein is STAT's national biotech columnist, reporting on the intersection of biotech and Wall Street. He's also a co-host of "The Readout LOUD" podcast.

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