FDA Approves Optune Lua for Mesothelioma
In May 2019, the FDA approved the NovoTTF-100L System (Optune Lua) for mesothelioma, the first new treatment option since pemetrexed in 2004.
On May 23, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the NovoTTF-100L System for the treatment of unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. The device, later marketed as Optune Lua, represented the first new FDA-approved treatment for mesothelioma in more than 15 years, breaking a long drought since pemetrexed (Alimta) was approved in 2004.
What Is the NovoTTF-100L/Optune Lua?
The NovoTTF-100L System is a wearable medical device that delivers Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), low-intensity, alternating electric fields, directly to the region of the tumor.
How Tumor Treating Fields Work
TTFields work differently from chemotherapy and radiation. Electric fields are tuned to specific frequencies that interfere with cancer cell division. Because normal cells divide slowly, they are less affected, while rapidly dividing cancer cells are disrupted. The treatment is non-invasive, delivered through electrode arrays (transducer arrays) worn on the torso. Patients wear the device continuously, at least 18 hours per day.
The electric fields disrupt the mitotic spindle formation during cell division, preventing cancer cells from successfully completing mitosis.
The STELLAR Trial Results
FDA approval was based on the STELLAR trial, which studied TTFields combined with chemotherapy in previously untreated people with mesothelioma.
Study Design
The STELLAR trial enrolled 80 patients with unresectable, previously untreated malignant pleural mesothelioma. Treatment combined the NovoTTF-100L device with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was overall survival.
Efficacy Results
| Outcome | Result |
|---|---|
| Median overall survival | 18.2 months |
| 1-year survival rate | 62% |
| Disease control rate | 97% |
| Partial response rate | 40% |
| Stable disease rate | 57% |
| Median progression-free survival | 7.6 months |
Results by Cell Type
The trial showed survival benefits across mesothelioma subtypes:
| Cell Type | Median Survival |
|---|---|
| Epithelioid (n=53) | 21.2 months |
| Non-epithelioid (n=21) | 12.1 months |
The 21.2-month survival for epithelioid patients was particularly encouraging, exceeding historical data for chemotherapy alone.
Comparison to Standard Treatment
Before this approval, pemetrexed plus cisplatin had been the only FDA-approved first-line treatment since 2004. Historical outcomes with chemotherapy alone:
| Treatment | Median Survival | Trial |
|---|---|---|
| Chemotherapy alone | 12-14 months | Historical controls |
| TTFields + chemotherapy | 18.2 months | STELLAR |
The addition of TTFields appeared to extend median survival by approximately 4-6 months compared to chemotherapy alone.
FDA Approval Details
Humanitarian Device Exemption
The NovoTTF-100L was approved under the FDA’s Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) program, which is designed for devices that treat conditions affecting fewer than 8,000 patients per year in the United States. Mesothelioma, with approximately 3,000 new cases annually, qualifies as a rare disease.
Approved Indication
The device is approved for:
- Adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma
- Locally advanced or metastatic disease
- Used concurrently with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy
- First-line treatment (patients who have not received prior systemic therapy)
Practical Considerations
Wearing the Device
Patients must wear the device for at least 18 hours daily for maximum benefit. The system includes:
- Transducer arrays placed on the torso
- A portable battery pack
- A device driver unit
Side Effects
The most common side effect is skin irritation under the electrode arrays, which can usually be managed with electrode repositioning and topical treatments.
Cost and Access
The treatment is expensive, with costs exceeding $20,000 per month. Insurance coverage varies, and patients often need to work with their care team and Novocure’s patient assistance programs to navigate access.
Clinical data shows treatment benefit correlates with wearing time. Patients who wore the device for at least 18 hours daily achieved the survival outcomes reported in STELLAR. Work with your care team to optimize compliance despite the practical challenges.
Significance for Mesothelioma Treatment
The Optune Lua approval marked several milestones. It ended a 15-year drought in which no new mesothelioma treatments had been approved since pemetrexed in 2004. It was the first medical device approved for mesothelioma, since all prior treatments had been drugs. Its mechanism was novel, offering potential benefit without the typical side effects of chemotherapy. And it set a foundation for future approvals, showing FDA’s willingness to approve new mesothelioma treatments and paving the way for the Opdivo+Yervoy approval in 2020.
What Came After
The Optune Lua approval proved to be the beginning of a new era in mesothelioma treatment:
- October 2020: FDA approved nivolumab plus ipilimumab (Opdivo+Yervoy), the first immunotherapy for mesothelioma
- Ongoing trials: Multiple combinations of TTFields with immunotherapy are being studied
Reader Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Optune Lua work?
Optune Lua delivers Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), low-intensity, alternating electric fields. Through electrode arrays worn on the torso. These fields are tuned to frequencies that disrupt cancer cell division by interfering with mitotic spindle formation. Normal cells, which divide slowly, are less affected than rapidly dividing cancer cells.
Who is eligible for Optune Lua?
The device is FDA-approved for adult patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma who have not received prior systemic therapy. It must be used concurrently with pemetrexed and platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment.
What were the STELLAR trial results?
The trial showed 18.2 months median overall survival with TTFields plus chemotherapy. For epithelioid patients specifically, median survival was 21.2 months. The disease control rate was 97%, and one-year survival was 62%. These results exceeded historical outcomes with chemotherapy alone.
What are the main side effects and challenges?
The most common side effect is skin irritation under the electrode arrays, usually manageable with repositioning and topical treatments. The main challenge is compliance. Patients must wear the device at least 18 hours daily. Cost exceeds $20,000/month, though patient assistance programs exist.
What are the end of life symptoms of mesothelioma?
End-of-life symptoms in people with mesothelioma commonly include severe fatigue, shortness of breath, significant weight loss, loss of appetite, chest or abdominal pain, and fluid buildup in the lungs or abdomen. People with pleural mesothelioma often experience coughing up blood, night sweats, and difficulty swallowing, while those with peritoneal mesothelioma may have nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal distention. Additional symptoms near death can involve confusion, delirium, weakness, and changes in breathing patterns, varying by individual and tumor type. Palliative care focuses on symptom management during this stage.
What is the life expectancy of a person with mesothelioma?
People with mesothelioma have an average life expectancy of 4-12 months without treatment and 12-21 months with treatment, primarily for pleural mesothelioma. Peritoneal mesothelioma shows longer survival, averaging 53 months with cytoreductive surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Life expectancy varies by stage for pleural cases (21 months at stage 1, 19 months at stage 2, 16 months at stage 3, 12 months at stage 4) and cell type, with epithelioid offering better outcomes. Five-year relative survival rates for pleural mesothelioma are 23% for localized, 15% for regional, and 11% for distant disease.
Has anyone beat mesothelioma?
Yes, some people with mesothelioma have achieved long-term survival or remission. Survivors like Tamron Little (peritoneal, cancer-free 18+ years post-HIPEC surgery) , Heather Von St. James (pleural, 20+ years post-extrapleural pneumonectomy) , and Paul Kraus (peritoneal, 27+ years post-diagnosis) outlived typical prognoses of 12-21 months with treatment. A 2023 trial showed 23% of advanced pleural cases survived 3+ years using immunotherapy and chemotherapy , while an 11% remission rate appeared in a 2025 survey of 200+ respondents, often involving surgery. A peer-reviewed case reported a seven-year disease-free pleural survivor treated with hyperthermia and chemotherapy.
Is mesothelioma a terminal cancer?
Mesothelioma is typically considered a terminal cancer because there is currently no cure. Most people with mesothelioma receive a diagnosis at an advanced stage, and the disease spreads rapidly. However, survival outcomes vary significantly. The median survival is approximately one year with chemotherapy alone, though multimodal treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation) can extend life expectancy to around 22 months. About 10% of people with mesothelioma survive five years or longer, and some have achieved partial or full remission. Treatment options including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and palliative care can extend survival and improve quality of life, even in advanced stages.