Panova-3: Efficacy, Safety and Quality of Life of Tumor Treating Fields ( Ttfields) with Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (La-Pac)
Recommended Citation
Seufferlein T, Picozzi V, Chandana SR, Melichar B, Kasi A, Gang J, Plazas JG, Bullock AJ, Hao C, Wyrwicz L, Hitre E, Osipov A, de la Fouchardiere C, Ales I, Dragovich T, Lee WJ, Feeney K, Philip PA, Ueno M, Van Cutsem E, MacArulla Mercade T, Babiker H. Panova-3: Efficacy, Safety and Quality of Life of Tumor Treating Fields ( Ttfields) with Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (La-Pac). Oncol Res Treat 2026; 49(Suppl. 1):120.
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
2-13-2026
Publication Title
Oncol Res Treat
Keywords
Oncology
Abstract
Background: To date, no phase 3 clinical trial has demonstrated an overall survival (OS) benefit in patients with unresectable locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LA-PAC). TTFields are electric fields that disrupt cancer cell division. We report final data from PANOVA-3 (NCT03377491), the largest phase 3, randomized, open-label trial in unresectable LA-PAC to date, comparing TTFields + gemcitabine/ nab-paclitaxel (GnP) vs GnP. Methods: Adults with newly diagnosed unresectable LA-PAC were randomized 1:1 to TTFields (150 kHz) + GnP or GnP. The primary endpoint was OS. Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), local PFS, and pain-free survival. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the EORTC QLQ C-30 questionnaire and PAN26 module. Distant PFS and pain medication use were analyzed post hoc. Result: 571 patients were randomized. Baseline characteristics were balanced between the study arms. Efficacy endpoints with a significant difference in TTFields + GnP vs GnP were median times for OS (16.2 vs 14.2 months [mo]), pain-free survival (15.2 vs 9.1 mo) and distant PFS (13.9 vs 11.5 mo; post hoc). There were no differences in PFS or local PFS. No systemic adverse events (AE) were observed for TTFields. The most frequent device-related AEs were grade 1/2: dermatitis (27.7%), rash (17.5%), and pruritus (15.0%); grade 3 and 4 occurred in 9.1% and 0.4% of patients, respectively. The following QoL scales showed a significant difference of TTFields + GnP vs GnP: median times to deterioration of pain (10.1 vs 7.4 mo), pancreatic pain (14.7 vs 10.2 mo), global health status (7.1 vs. 5.7 mo), meaningful pain medication (6.9 vs 4.9 mo; post hoc) and opioid use (7.1 vs 5.4 mo; post hoc), and all digestive symptom scales except for indigestion. There was no difference in insomnia and fatigue. Discussion: This is the largest phase 3 trial exclusively performed in unresectable LA-PAC and the first to show a significant OS benefit and benefits in pain and QoL with no additive systemic AEs. Conclusion: TTFields therapy is a potential new standard treatment for unresectable LA-PAC.
Volume
49
Issue
Suppl. 1
First Page
120
