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SAFETY

Optune Pax® with gem/nab-pac 

Demonstrated no exacerbation of systemic toxicities vs gem/nab-pac1

Serious AEs occurring in ≥5% of patients in the trial2

Optune Pax with gem/nab-pac (n=274)

Gem/nab-pac (n=273)

Infections

20%

19%

Gastrointestinal disorders

18%

15%

Hepatobiliary disorders

14%

10%

Blood and lymphatic 
system disorders

9%

10%

Breathing disorders

8%

4%

General disorders

6%

4%

Heart disorders

5%

4%

Mild to moderate skin AEs were the most common device-related AEs1,3

76.3% of patients experienced device-related skin AEs, the majority of which were mild to moderate1,3

Incidence of skin AEs related to Optune Pax in ≥5% of patients3,4

Adverse event

Optune Pax with gem/nab-pac (n=274)

Dermatitis

27.7%

Rash

17.5%

Pruritus

15.0%

Maculo-papular rash

12.0%

Erythema

10.6%

Skin irritation

9.1%

Skin reaction

6.2%

Skin ulcer

5.1%

7.7% of patients experienced grade ≥3 skin AEs1

 

Device-related AEs were observed in 81.0% of patients in the Optune Pax® with gem/nab-pac arm1

  • The majority of these device-related AEs were grade 1 (28.8%) or grade 2 (42.7%), with few patients experiencing grade 3 (9.1%) and grade 4 (0.4%), per NCI-CTCAE Version 4.03 or Modified Grading for Skin AEs5
  • 8.4% of patients experienced device-related AEs that led to discontinuation1
  • Most common reason for device discontinuation was local disease progression1

Proactive skincare management is important while using Optune Pax

See tips for management

AE=adverse event; gem/nab-pac=gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel; NCI-CTCAE=National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

 

 

 

References: 1. Optune Pax for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer (LAPC). Physician Instructions for Use. Novocure; 2026 2. Optune Pax. Patient Information and Operation Manual for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Novocure; 2026. 3. Babiker HM, Picozzi V, Chandana SR, et al. Tumor treating fields with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: randomized, open-label, pivotal phase III PANOVA-3 study. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(21):2350-2360. doi:10.1200/JCO-25-00746 4. Babiker HM, Picozzi V, Chandana SR, et al. Tumor treating fields with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: randomized, open-label, pivotal phase III PANOVA-3 study [data supplement]. J Clin Oncol. 2025;43(21):2350-2360. doi:10.1200/JCO-25-00746 5. Novocure Data on File 2025. [EF-27 (PANOVA-3) Clinical investigation report.] 

 

 

Indication for Use

Optune Pax® is intended for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

Do not use Optune Pax in patients with an electrical implant. Use of Optune Pax together with electrical implants has not been tested and may lead to malfunctioning of the implanted device.

Do not use Optune Pax in patients with a known sensitivity to conductive hydrogels. In patients with this sensitivity, skin contact with the gel used with Optune Pax may commonly cause increased redness and itching. In rare cases, it may lead to severe allergic reactions that can cause a drop in blood pressure and difficulty breathing.

Warnings and Precautions

Optune Pax can only be prescribed by a healthcare provider who has completed the required certification training provided by Novocure® (the device manufacturer).

Do not prescribe Optune Pax for patients who are pregnant, who you think might be pregnant, or who are trying to get pregnant. Women who are able to get pregnant must use birth control when using the device. Safety and effectiveness of Optune Pax in these populations have not been established.

The most common (≥10%) adverse events involving Optune Pax concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, peripheral edema, pyrexia, pain, COVID-19, infection, respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, hepatic enzyme increased, anorexia, hypokalemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglycemia, musculoskeletal pain, peripheral neuropathy, taste disorder, dizziness, sleep disorder, dyspnea, alopecia, skin-related disorders, and hypotension.

Optune Pax device-related skin adverse events (≥5%) include dermatitis, rash, pruritus, maculo-papular rash, erythema, skin irritation, skin reaction, and skin ulcer. Other device-related adverse effects associated with the use of Optune Pax include overheating of the array, leading to pain and/or local skin burns, allergic reaction to the adhesive or gel from the transducer arrays, and local warmth and tingling sensation beneath the arrays.

If the patient has an underlying skin condition on the abdomen, evaluate whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune Pax treatment.

Please see the Optune Pax Instructions for Use (IFU) for complete information regarding the device’s indication, contraindications, warnings, and precautions.

 

Indication for Use

Optune Pax® is intended for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.

Important Safety Information

Contraindications

Do not use Optune Pax in patients with an electrical implant. Use of Optune Pax together with electrical implants has not been tested and may lead to malfunctioning of the implanted device.

Do not use Optune Pax in patients with a known sensitivity to conductive hydrogels. In patients with this sensitivity, skin contact with the gel used with Optune Pax may commonly cause increased redness and itching. In rare cases, it may lead to severe allergic reactions that can cause a drop in blood pressure and difficulty breathing.

Warnings and Precautions

Optune Pax can only be prescribed by a healthcare provider who has completed the required certification training provided by Novocure® (the device manufacturer).

Do not prescribe Optune Pax for patients who are pregnant, who you think might be pregnant, or who are trying to get pregnant. Women who are able to get pregnant must use birth control when using the device. Safety and effectiveness of Optune Pax in these populations have not been established.

The most common (≥10%) adverse events involving Optune Pax concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue, peripheral edema, pyrexia, pain, COVID-19, infection, respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, hepatic enzyme increased, anorexia, hypokalemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglycemia, musculoskeletal pain, peripheral neuropathy, taste disorder, dizziness, sleep disorder, dyspnea, alopecia, skin-related disorders, and hypotension.

Optune Pax device-related skin adverse events (≥5%) include dermatitis, rash, pruritus, maculo-papular rash, erythema, skin irritation, skin reaction, and skin ulcer. Other device-related adverse effects associated with the use of Optune Pax include overheating of the array, leading to pain and/or local skin burns, allergic reaction to the adhesive or gel from the transducer arrays, and local warmth and tingling sensation beneath the arrays.

If the patient has an underlying skin condition on the abdomen, evaluate whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune Pax treatment.

Please see the Optune Pax Instructions for Use (IFU) for complete information regarding the device’s indication, contraindications, warnings, and precautions.

 

Novocure websites

This website is intended for US healthcare professionals seeking information on Optune Pax.

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US-OPP-00007 v1.0 March 2026