Novocure to Present New Preclinical Data Showing Additive Efficacy of Tumor Treating Fields and PD-1 Inhibitors at the American Association of Immunologists’ Annual Meeting 2016
Results demonstrate that TTFields enhance immunogenic cell death in non-small cell lung cancer cells in vivo
Data suggest combining TTFields with anti-PD-1 may achieve tumor control by further enhancing antitumor immunity
ST. HELIER, Jersey–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Novocure (NASDAQ: NVCR) will present new data at the American Association of Immunologists’ Annual Meeting on May 13-17, 2016, in Seattle showing that Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) in combination with PD-1 inhibitors led to additive efficacy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vivo.
The results presented demonstrate that:
- TTFields exhibit treatment duration-dependent intrinsic cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. Longer periods of exposure to TTFields result in significant decreases in cancer cell counts and increases apoptotic events.
- The cellular response to TTFields is characterized by exposure of calreticulin on the cell surface, release of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), and secretion of adenosine triphosphate – all of which are hallmark features of immunogenic cell death that can potentially generate a systemic anticancer immune response.
- The combined treatment of TTFields and anti-PD-1 (αPD-1) in an NSCLC in vivo model led to a significant decrease in tumor volume compared to sham controls and to anti-PD-1 alone.
- PD-L1, the ligand which binds PD-1 on immune cells, was maximized on the immune cells themselves in the combination treatment.
“Our research indicates that TTFields in combination with PD-1 immunotherapies may be another possible treatment paradigm for solid tumors that should be investigated clinically, particularly for those solid tumors whose standard of care currently includes – or is evolving to include – PD-1 immunotherapies,” said Dr. Eilon Kirson, Chief Science Officer and Head of Research and Development at Novocure. “We are excited to learn more about the potential benefits of combining TTFields with PD-1 immunotherapies in a variety of solid tumors.”
About Novocure
Novocure is a commercial-stage oncology company developing a novel, proprietary therapy called Tumor Treating Fields, or TTFields, for the treatment of solid tumor cancers. Headquartered in Jersey, Novocure has U.S. operations in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Malvern, Pennsylvania, and New York City. Additionally, the company has offices in Germany, Switzerland and Japan, and a research center in Haifa, Israel. For additional information about the company, please visit www.novocure.com or follow us at www.twitter.com/novocure.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical facts or statements of current condition, this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements provide Novocure’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These may include statements regarding anticipated scientific progress on its research programs, development of potential products, interpretation of clinical results, prospects for regulatory approval, manufacturing development and capabilities, market prospects for its products, and other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts. You may identify some of these forward-looking statements by the use of words in the statements such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” or other words and terms of similar meaning. Novocure’s performance and financial results could differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements due to general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions as well as more specific risks and uncertainties facing Novocure such as those set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 1, 2016, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these risks and uncertainties, any or all of these forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Therefore, you should not rely on any such factors or forward-looking statements. Furthermore, Novocure does not intend to update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law. Any forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date hereof. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits this discussion.
Contacts
Media and Investor Contact:
Novocure
Ashley Cordova, 212-767-7558
acordova@novocure.com