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Z. Bomzon



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    P1.06 - Poster Session with Presenters Present (ID 458)

    • Event: WCLC 2016
    • Type: Poster Presenters Present
    • Track: Advanced NSCLC
    • Presentations: 2
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      P1.06-009 - Determining Optimal Array Layouts for Delivering TTFields to the Lungs Using Computer Simulations (ID 4530)

      14:30 - 15:45  |  Author(s): Z. Bomzon

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are low intensity, alternating electric fields in the intermediate frequency range. TTFields disrupt mitosis by interfering with formation of the mitotic spindle. The therapy is FDA approved for the treatment of glioblastoma (GB). A study to assess the efficacy of TTFields in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of mesothelioma is underway, and a pivotal study testing the efficacy of TTFields in NSCLC is planned. TTFields are delivered through two pairs of transducer arrays applied to the patient's skin. In-vivo and In-vitro studies suggest that treatment efficacy increases with field intensity. Therefore personalizing the array placement to deliver optimal field distributions is important and is a prerequisite when treating GB patients. However, optimal array layouts for lung cancer patients have not yet been determined. Here we present a finite element simulations-based study investigating optimal array layouts in male and female anatomic models.

      Methods:
      The study was performed using the Sim4Life software package and the DUKE and ELLA computational models (ZMT, Zurich, Switzerland). To represent individuals with a variety of body dimensions, the models were linearly scaled. The distribution of TTFields within the thorax of these models was calculated for a set of array layouts. The layouts were ranked with highest scores for those that conformed well to body contours and delivered uniform high intensity fields to the lungs.

      Results:
      Uniform field distributions within the lungs are obtained when the arrays are axially-aligned with the parenchyma as much as anatomically possible. Generally, the layouts that received the highest scores were those in which one pair of arrays delivered an electric field from the anterolateral to the posterior-contralateral aspect of the patient, with the second pair inducing the field from the antero-contralateral to the posterolateral aspect of the patient. However, due to body contours, this type of layout does not adhere well to smaller females, potentially hampering the efficient delivery of TTFields. Therefore, for smaller females, a layout in which one pair of arrays is placed on the lateral and contralateral aspects of the patients, and a second set of arrays is placed on the anterior and posterior aspects of the patient is preferred.

      Conclusion:
      This study provides important insights into how TTFields distribution in the lungs is influenced by the array layout. These results should be accounted for when developing guidelines for transducer array placement on the thorax.

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      P1.06-015 - Designing Transducer Arrays for the Delivery of TTFields Whilst Maximizing Patient Comfort and Field Intensity in the Thorax (ID 4897)

      14:30 - 15:45  |  Author(s): Z. Bomzon

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are an anti-mitotic therapy that utilizes low intensity electric fields in the intermediate frequency range to disrupt cell division. A study to test the efficacy of TTFields in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of mesothelioma is underway, and a pivotal study testing the efficacy of TTFields in treating NSCLC is planned. TTFields are delivered via two pairs of transducer arrays placed on the patient's skin. The transducer arrays comprise a set of ceramic disks that make electric contact with the skin through a thin layer of conductive medical gel. The disks in the arrays currently in use are arranged in an almost rectangular pattern. One pair of arrays is placed on the posterior and anterior sides of the patient’s thorax. The other pair is placed on the lateral and contralateral aspects of the patient. This configuration has several limitations: The array placed on the chest may not adhere well to body curvature, leading to sub-optimal electric contact that reduces field intensity in the tumor. In females and obese individuals, fields generated by arrays placed on the anterior and posterior have to traverse thick layers of adipose in the breast. The high resistivity of these layers damps the intensity of TTFields in the lungs. Here we present novel array designs intended to overcome these limitations.

      Methods:
      Multiple concepts for arrays designed to adhere comfortably to the body, whilst avoiding regions of high adipose were proposed. Finite element simulations using realistic computational phantoms were used to evaluate the field distribution generated by these arrays, and optimize their design.

      Results:
      Novel array designs for delivering TTFields to the lungs were developed. These arrays are not designed as large patches, but comprise sets of interconnected small patches that adhere to the natural contours of the patient's bodies. Simulations showed that these arrays deliver uniform field distributions to the lungs. A particularly noteworthy design is a pair of arrays in which one array was shaped as a circular ring placed around the neck and shoulders, and the second array was shaped as a belt placed on the lower torso. This design yielded a highly uniform and intense field directed longitudinally throughout the torso.

      Conclusion:
      The arrays presented in this study deliver high field intensities to the thorax whilst maintaining patient comfort. These designs could help to improve the outcome of TTFields therapy.

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    P2.06 - Poster Session with Presenters Present (ID 467)

    • Event: WCLC 2016
    • Type: Poster Presenters Present
    • Track: Scientific Co-Operation/Research Groups (Clinical Trials in Progress should be submitted in this category)
    • Presentations: 1
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      P2.06-036 - LUNAR - A Phase 3 Trial of TTFields in Combination with PD-1 Inhibitors or Docetaxel for 2nd Line Treatment of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) (ID 6063)

      14:30 - 15:45  |  Author(s): Z. Bomzon

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) is a novel, non-invasive, anti-mitotic treatment modality, based on low intensity alternating electric fields. TTFields predominantly affect two phases of mitosis: metaphase – by disrupting the mitotic spindle, and cytokinesis – by dielectrophoretic dislocation of organelles. TTFields were shown to extend the survival of newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients when combined with temozolomide. Efficacy of TTFields in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of all histologies has been demonstrated multiple preclinical models as well as in a phase I/II study in combination with pemetrexed, where overall survival was extended in more than five months compared to historical controls.

      Methods:
      The hypothesis of the study is that the addition of TTFields to standard of care second line therapies in advanced NSCLC will increase OS compared to treatment with standard second line alone. 512 patients with either squamous or non-squamous NSCLC will be enrolled in this prospective, randomized study. Patients will be stratified based on: 1) second line therapy (either PD-1 inhibitor or docetaxel), histology (squamous Vs. non-squamous) and geographical region. The main eligibility criteria are first disease progression (per RECIST Criteria 1.1), ECOG score of 0-1, no prior surgery or radiation therapy, no electronic medical devices in the upper torso and absence of brain metastasis. Docetaxel or PD-1 inhibitors (nivolumab or pembrolizumab) will be administered at the standard dose. TTFields will be applied to the upper torso using a small, portable medical device for at least 18 hours/day at home, allowing patients to maintain daily activities. TTFields will be continued until progression in the thorax and/or liver according to the immune-related response criteria (irRC). Follow up will be performed once q6 weeks, including a CT scan. Following progression in the upper torso, patients will be followed monthly for survival. The primary endpoint will be superiority in overall survival (OS) between patients treated with TTFields in combination with either docetaxel or PD-1 inhibitors, compared to docetaxel or PD-1 inhibitors alone. A co-primary endpoint will compare the OS in patients treated with TTFields and docetaxel to those treated with PD-1 inhibitors alone in a non-inferiority analysis. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, radiological response rate based on the irRC, quality of life based on the EORTC QLQ C30 questionnaire and severity & frequency of adverse events. The sample size is powered to detect a Hazard Ratio of 0.75 of TTFields-treated patients compare to the control group.

      Results:
      Trial Progress

      Conclusion:
      Trial Progress

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