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Optune is a wearable device delivering electric fields that disrupt cell division. It is approved for glioblastoma and, in 2026, pancreatic cancer.
Optune delivers tumour treating fields (TTFields): low-intensity alternating electric fields at 200 kHz for glioma or 150 kHz for pancreatic and lung cancer, applied through transducer arrays worn for at least 18 hours a day, which disrupt mitotic spindle assembly. Optune Gio is approved for recurrent (2011) and newly diagnosed (2015, EF-14) glioblastoma and for mesothelioma; Optune Lua for metastatic NSCLC after platinum (LUNAR, 2024); and Optune Pax, approved in Q1 2026, for unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel after PANOVA-3 showed overall survival of 16.2 versus 14.2 months. Novocure makes the devices. The pivotal trials were open-label without a sham device, and the mechanism and effect size remain contested among neuro-oncologists. For a newcomer: a wearable that uses electric fields, not drugs, to slow cell division.
200 kHz (glioma) or 150 kHz (pancreas, lung) alternating fields via transducer arrays.
1.Arrays on the skin deliver alternating electric fields at 150-200 kHz
Source: www.optune.com. Doses are for orientation; the current label governs.
Tumour treating fields is durable medical equipment under Part B: covered under the DME MAC local coverage determination for tumour treatment field therapy for newly diagnosed glioblastoma after chemoradiation with temozolomide, and for recurrent glioblastoma. Rental is monthly; the patient owes 20% coinsurance.
Many commercial plans cover Optune for newly diagnosed glioblastoma with prior authorisation; some still exclude it as investigational, and pleural mesothelioma (Optune Lua) coverage is patchier. Novocure's nCompass programme handles appeals.
Monthly DME rental with 20% coinsurance in Original Medicare; Medigap covers it. Novocure has a financial assistance programme for eligible patients.
Sources: Medicare.gov: Chemotherapy · Medicare.gov: Prescription drugs (outpatient, Part B) · Medicare.gov: Durable medical equipment · CMS Medicare Coverage Database (NCDs and LCDs). Not medical or financial advice; verify with your plan.
Sources: NICE search: Optune (tumour treating fields). Funding decisions are indication-specific and change monthly; verify with NICE and your treating team.
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PMA approval, recurrent glioblastoma source
Newly diagnosed glioblastoma with temozolomide (EF-14) source
Humanitarian device exemption, malignant pleural mesothelioma source
Optune Lua, metastatic NSCLC after platinum (LUNAR) source
Optune Pax, locally advanced pancreatic cancer with chemotherapy (PANOVA-3) source
| Region | Year | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| US | 2011 | Recurrent glioblastoma (newly diagnosed 2015) |
| US | 2024 | Metastatic NSCLC after platinum with PD-1 or docetaxel |
| US | 2026 | Locally advanced pancreatic cancer with chemotherapy |
| EU | 2015 | CE mark (GBM); pancreatic and NSCLC CE marks 2024-26 |
| Adverse event |
|---|
| Skin irritation under arrays |
| Headache |
| Malaise |
| Muscle twitching |
EF-14: ~52% any grade, 2% grade 3. Events listed without rates were not read from a primary source; see the label. Blank cells mean the figure was not sourced, not that it is zero.
| Country | Reimbursement | List price | Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Medicare covers Optune Gio for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (LCD); Optune Lua and Pax coverage evolving | ~$21,000 per month rental (Novocure disclosed pricing, US) | - |
| United Kingdom | NICE: not recommended for glioblastoma (2018 assessment); reassessment pending | not disclosed | - |
List prices are manufacturer or Medicare figures where publicly disclosed; net prices after rebates are usually lower. Reimbursement changes; check the payer.
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Query for this drug: (TITLE:"Optune / Optune Pax" OR ABSTRACT:"Optune / Optune Pax" OR TITLE:"TTFields" OR ABSTRACT:"TTFields" OR TITLE:"Optune" OR ABSTRACT:"Optune") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Optune / Optune Pax (TTFields), not a curated reading list.
Shares Tumor Treating Fields With Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: Randomized, Open-Label, Pivotal Phase III PANOVA-3 Study, Locally advanced unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, Pancreatic cancer roadmap: from Whipple's operation to gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX, adjuvant chemotherapy, PARP inhibition, KRAS inhibition, vaccines and the surveillance question, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Shares Roger Stupp, Tumour treating fields (TTFields), The brain: barrier and sanctuary, Glioma & glioblastoma.
Shares University Hospital Zurich / Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich, Mesothelioma, Non-small-cell lung cancer.
Shares Roger Stupp, The brain: barrier and sanctuary, Glioma & glioblastoma.
Shares PANOVA-3, Locally advanced unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, Pancreatic cancer roadmap: from Whipple's operation to gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX, adjuvant chemotherapy, PARP inhibition, KRAS inhibition, vaccines and the surveillance question, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Shares Mesothelioma, Locally advanced unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, Pancreatic cancer roadmap: from Whipple's operation to gemcitabine, FOLFIRINOX, adjuvant chemotherapy, PARP inhibition, KRAS inhibition, vaccines and the surveillance question, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Shares PANOVA-3, Locally advanced unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Shares Roger Stupp, The brain: barrier and sanctuary, Glioma & glioblastoma.