Data Published in Pancreatology Demonstrates Activity of NovoTTF™ Therapy in Preclinical Models of Pancreatic Cancer, Alone and in Combination with Chemotherapy

HAIFA, Israel, Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Novocure™ announced today that the first evidence of activity of NovoTTF Therapy in pancreatic cancer tumor models was published online (December 16^th, 2013) in the prestigious peer reviewed journal Pancreatology. The published study showed that application of NovoTTF Therapy to pancreatic cancer cells in vitro leads to a significant decrease in cell count and reduced ability to form clones. Further analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the number of abnormal mitotic figures, as well as a decrease in G2-M cell population, thus providing a possible explanation to the observed decrease in cell proliferation. NovoTTF Therapy also significantly reduces tumor volume accompanied by an increase in the frequency of abnormal mitotic events when applied to in vivo models with orthotopic pancreatic tumors. The efficacy of NovoTTF Therapy was enhanced both in vitro and in vivo when combined with chemotherapy used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

"These results provide the first evidence that NovoTTF Therapy is an effective antimitotic treatment in preclinical pancreatic cancer models and has a long term negative effect on pancreatic cancer cell survival," said Dr. Moshe Giladi, Head of Preclinical Research at Novocure. "These results make NovoTTF Therapy an attractive candidate for clinical testing in the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer."

"Novocure is committed to studying the effects of NovoTTF Therapy in additional preclinical models, as these studies establish the foundation necessary for future clinical trials in new cancer indications," said Prof. Yoram Palti, inventor of NovoTTF Therapy and founder of Novocure. "These studies add to our understanding of the broad applicability of NovoTTF Therapy in solid tumor cancers and clarify the optimal combinations and scheduling of NovoTTF Therapy with other treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy."

About NovoTTF Therapy

NovoTTF Therapy is delivered by a portable, non-invasive medical device designed for continuous use throughout the day by the patient. NovoTTF Therapy has been shown in in vitro and in vivo studies to slow and reverse tumor growth by inhibiting mitosis, the process by which cells divide and replicate. NovoTTF Therapy is not approved for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.  The safety and effectiveness of the therapy in this indication has not been established.

About Novocure

Novocure Limited is a private Jersey Isle oncology company pioneering a novel therapy for solid tumors. Novocure's US operations are based in New York, NY and Portsmouth, NH and the company's research center is located in Haifa, Israel. For additional information about the company, please visit www.novocure.com.

Media Contact:
Frank Leonard, Novocure
[email protected]
(212) 767-7536

SOURCE Novocure