Researchers have found that Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields), a therapy that uses low-intensity electric fields, may help make pancreatic cancer more vulnerable to both chemotherapy and the immune system. In a preclinical study, TTFields were tested alone and in combination with standard chemotherapy using gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel.
The treatment significantly reduced levels of c-Myc, a key protein that drives tumor growth and treatment resistance in most pancreatic cancers. When combined with chemotherapy, TTFields increased cancer cell death and triggered immune-stimulating signals that help the body recognize and attack tumors.
In mouse models of pancreatic cancer, the combination therapy produced greater tumor shrinkage than either treatment alone. It also reduced immune-suppressing cells within tumors and increased immune activity throughout the body, creating a more favorable environment for anti-cancer responses.
The findings may help explain the encouraging survival results seen in the recent PANOVA-3 phase 3 trial. Researchers also believe TTFields could make more patients eligible for PARP inhibitor therapies by altering DNA repair pathways. These strategies are now being further investigated in the ongoing PANOVA-4 clinical trial.