Tumor Treating Fields + pembrolizumab + platinum-based chemotherapy

This combination therapy regimen, developed by NovoCure GmbH, is currently being evaluated in the Phase 3 LUNAR-2 clinical trial for the first-line treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The regimen integrates three distinct therapeutic modalities: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) at 150 kHz, the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab, and standard-of-care platinum-based chemotherapy (such as cisplatin or carboplatin). TTFields are delivered via the portable NovoTTF-200T device, which uses non-invasive transducer arrays to apply low-intensity, alternating electric fields that physically disrupt cancer cell division (mitosis) and induce immunogenic cell death. Pembrolizumab acts as an immune checkpoint inhibitor by blocking the PD-1 receptor, thereby enhancing the immune system's ability to recognize and attack tumor cells. Platinum-based chemotherapy provides cytotoxic effects by forming DNA cross-links that trigger apoptosis. The combination aims to leverage the synergistic effects of physical, immunological, and chemical anti-tumor mechanisms in treatment-naive patients.

Brand names

Keytruda

Other names

TTFields + pembrolizumab + platinum-based chemotherapyNovoTTF-200T + pembrolizumab + platinum-based chemotherapyplatinum-based chemotherapy-NovoCure GmbH