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Mechanism of action

Optune delivers TTFields to selectively disrupt mitosis1,2

  • TTFields are low-intensity (1-3 V/cm) electric fields tuned to a specific frequency (for example, 200 kHz for GBM) to disrupt tumor cell division1
    • TTFields disrupt cell division through physical interaction with key molecules during multiple phases of mitosis2

TTFields target dividing cells, leading to apoptosis

Metaphase
Metaphase — uniform electric field
  • Disrupt alignment of highly polarized tubulin subunits2
  • Disrupt microtubule spindle formation during mitosis and may ultimately lead to apoptosis2,3
Telophase
Telophase — nonuniform electric field
  • A change in cell shape during telophase causes a nonuniform electric field2,4
  • Polar cell components move toward cleavage furrow2
  • Cell cannot divide properly, which may ultimately lead to apoptosis2,3

Learn about TTFields mechanism of action

TTFields, Tumor Treating Fields.

References:
  1. Optune. Instructions for Use for Glioblastoma Multiforme. Novocure; 2019.
  2. Kirson ED, Gurvich Z, Schneiderman R, et al. Disruption of cancer cell replication by alternating electric fields. Cancer Res. 2004;64(9):3288-3295.
  3. Giladi M, Schneiderman RS, Voloshin T, et al. Mitotic spindle disruption by alternating electric fields leads to improper chromosome segregation and mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells. Sci Rep. 2015;5(1):18046. doi:10.1038/srep18046.
  4. Gutin PH, Wong ET. Noninvasive application of alternating electric fields in glioblastoma: a fourth cancer treatment modality. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2012:126-131.

Learn more below

The Optune system

Indications for Use

Optune is intended as a treatment for adult patients (22 years of age or older) with histologically-confirmed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Optune with temozolomide is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed, supratentorial glioblastoma following maximal debulking surgery, and completion of radiation therapy together with concomitant standard of care chemotherapy.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

Do not use Optune in patients with an active implanted medical device, a skull defect (such as, missing bone with no replacement), or bullet fragments. Use of Optune together with implanted electronic devices has not been tested and may theoretically lead to malfunctioning of the implanted device. Use of Optune together with skull defects or bullet fragments has not been tested and may possibly lead to tissue damage or render Optune ineffective.

Do not use Optune in patients that are known to be sensitive to conductive hydrogels. In this case, skin contact with the gel used with Optune may commonly cause increased redness and itching, and rarely may even lead to severe allergic reactions such as shock and respiratory failure.

Warnings and Precautions

The most common (≥10%) adverse events involving Optune in combination with temozolomide were thrombocytopenia, nausea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, medical device site reaction, headache, convulsions, and depression.

If the patient has an underlying serious skin condition on the scalp (e.g. ulcers, open wound, broken skin) evaluate whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune treatment.

Use of Optune in patients with an inactive implanted medical device in the brain has not been studied for safety and effectiveness, and use of Optune in these patients could lead to tissue damage or lower the chance of Optune being effective.

Do not prescribe Optune for patients that are pregnant, you think might be pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, as the safety and effectiveness of Optune in these populations have not been established.

Optune can only be prescribed by a healthcare provider that has completed the required certification training provided by Novocure (the device manufacturer).

Please click here to see the Optune Instructions for Use (IFU) for complete information regarding the device’s indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions.

Read more

Indications for Use

Optune is intended as a treatment for adult patients (22 years of age or older) with histologically-confirmed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Optune with temozolomide is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed, supratentorial glioblastoma following maximal debulking surgery, and completion of radiation therapy together with concomitant standard of care chemotherapy.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

Do not use Optune in patients with an active implanted medical device, a skull defect (such as, missing bone with no replacement), or bullet fragments. Use of Optune together with implanted electronic devices has not been tested and may theoretically lead to malfunctioning of the implanted device. Use of Optune together with skull defects or bullet fragments has not been tested and may possibly lead to tissue damage or render Optune ineffective.

Do not use Optune in patients that are known to be sensitive to conductive hydrogels. In this case, skin contact with the gel used with Optune may commonly cause increased redness and itching, and rarely may even lead to severe allergic reactions such as shock and respiratory failure.

Warnings and Precautions

The most common (≥10%) adverse events involving Optune in combination with temozolomide were thrombocytopenia, nausea, constipation, vomiting, fatigue, medical device site reaction, headache, convulsions, and depression.

If the patient has an underlying serious skin condition on the scalp (e.g. ulcers, open wound, broken skin) evaluate whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune treatment.

Use of Optune in patients with an inactive implanted medical device in the brain has not been studied for safety and effectiveness, and use of Optune in these patients could lead to tissue damage or lower the chance of Optune being effective.

Do not prescribe Optune for patients that are pregnant, you think might be pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, as the safety and effectiveness of Optune in these populations have not been established.

Optune can only be prescribed by a healthcare provider that has completed the required certification training provided by Novocure (the device manufacturer).

Please click here to see the Optune Instructions for Use (IFU) for complete information regarding the device’s indications, contraindications, warnings and precautions.

Leaving Optune.com

Novocure does not review the information contained on this website and/or database for content, accuracy, or completeness. Use of and access to this information is subject to the terms, limitations, and conditions set by the website and/or database producer.

Novocure makes no representation as to the accuracy or any other aspect of the information contained on such website and/or database, nor does Novocure necessarily endorse such website and/or database.

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