Dermatologic AEs

Maximize time on Optune Lua with proper skin care

Mitigate

Help maximize time on treatment by getting ahead of dermatologic adverse events (dAEs) with the M3 approach: mitigate with preventative care, monitor symptoms, and manage with proper treatment1

Mitigate dAEs with preventative measures

Advise patients and caregivers to1,2:

Clean:

Always wash their hands prior to each application and removal of transducer arrays

 

Clear:

Keep their torso clear by washing with water, hypoallergenic soap, and a clean soft cloth between transducer array exchanges

Shave:

Hair removal can be a short trim and does not need to be a close shave

Wear:

Apply a water-based skin barrier film before array application

 

Guidance based on clinical trial results and real-world clinical experience in glioblastoma. Novocure® cannot give medical advice.1,2

Proper array removal1

  • Replace at least twice per week (every 4 days at most)
  • Be sure patients unplug the cords attaching the array to the connector box before stepping into a warm shower and leave the device outside the bathroom
  • Gently remove the arrays without forcefully rubbing the skin (it should take about a minute for each array)
  • To further minimize the risk of skin irritation, medical adhesive remover, water-based makeup remover, baby oil, or a warm shower may be used to loosen the edges of the arrays and remove residue
  • Check for signs of skin damage or excess irritation. Encourage patients to report and keep a photograph diary of any skin problems

Proper array placement1-3

  • Hair should be removed ideally 2 days prior to treatment start (repeated every 7-10 days or as needed)
    • Hair removal can be a short trim instead of a close shave
    • After hair removal wash skin with water or a gentle hypoallergenic soap only
  • Regularly moisturize skin with fragrance-free moisturizers
  • Apply a skin barrier film and any topical medications if needed (ie, corticosteroids or antibiotics)
    • Provides a thin protective layer of film on the skin to protect it from output and adhesives
  • Wait 15-20 minutes to ensure skin is completely dry before replacing the array
  • Arrays are placed according to the transducer array layout
    • Shift arrays by 2 cm (3/4 inch) at every change (ensuring pairs are moved together), moving arrays back at subsequent changes
  • Determine front placement first, in regard to nipple, collarbone, metal, and drains
    • Avoid ceramic disc placement over wounds, scars, surgical screws, or ports
    • Avoid placing edge of array in skin folds, creases, and scar tissue
  • Nonstick gauze may be used to protect nipples or open wounds from adhesive and wires 
    • Do not place under ceramic discs
  • For female patients: when selecting a bra, make sure that the bra underwires do not interfere with the disks

Note: It’s important to understand key risk factors—such as pre-existing conditions, surgical scars and hardware, and concomitant treatments like ICIs or targeted therapies—and intervene early to help decrease the risk and severity of dAEs.2

Monitor symptoms and intervene with the necessary action

Help identify dAEs related to Optune Lua use and initiate appropriate management by clicking the (+) next to each dAE

The images on the left within each segment are from an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) and illustrate skin adverse events related to Optune Lua. The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. The images on the right within each segment depict the general presentation of these adverse events and are not specific to Optune Lua.

Note: Inform your patients to contact you as soon as they experience itching, redness, or inflammation.1

Interruption may be required for persistent or severe skin AEs that do not improve despite AE management. If skin conditions continue, consider referral to a dermatologist.1

Manage with the proper treatment

Guidelines for managing dAEs with Optune Lua

Download this guide for more information on how to help your patients maximize time on treatment with the M3 approach: mitigate with preventative care, monitor symptoms, and manage with proper treatment.

View this PDF

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AE, adverse event; ICI, immune checkpoint inhibitor.

 

References: 1. Optune Lua. Patient Information and Operation Manual for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Novocure; 2024. 2. Lacouture ME, Anadkat MJ, Ballo MT, et al. Front Oncol. 2020;10:1045. doi:10.3389/fonc.2020.01045 3. Novocure Data on File US-DOF-0018. 

Important Safety Information 

Contraindications 

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

 

Do not use Optune Lua in patients known to be sensitive to conductive hydrogels. In this case, skin contact with the gel used with Optune Lua may commonly cause increased redness and itching, and rarely may even lead to severe allergic reactions, such as a fall in blood pressure and breathing difficulty.

Warnings and Precautions 

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

 

Do not prescribe Optune Lua for patients who are pregnant, whom you think might be pregnant, or who are trying to get pregnant, as the safety and effectiveness of Optune Lua in these populations have not been established. 

 

The most common (≥10%) adverse events involving Optune Lua concurrent with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel were dermatitis, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, anemia, dyspnea, nausea, cough, diarrhea, anorexia, pruritus, leukopenia, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, localized edema, rash, pain, constipation, skin ulcers, and hypokalemia. 

 

Other potential adverse effects associated with the use of Optune Lua include treatment related skin toxicity, allergic reaction to the adhesive or to the gel, overheating of the array leading to pain and/or local skin burns, infections at the site where the arrays make contact with the skin, local warmth and tingling sensation beneath the arrays, medical device site reaction, muscle twitching, and skin breakdown or skin ulcer. 

 

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

 

Indication For Use

Optune Lua is intended as a treatment concurrent with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel for adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who have progressed on or after a platinum-based regimen. 

 


Please see full Instructions For Use (IFU) and Patient Information and Operation Manual (PIOM) for Optune Lua®.

Important Safety Information 

Contraindications 

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

 

Do not use Optune Lua in patients known to be sensitive to conductive hydrogels. In this case, skin contact with the gel used with Optune Lua may commonly cause increased redness and itching, and rarely may even lead to severe allergic reactions, such as a fall in blood pressure and breathing difficulty.

Warnings and Precautions 

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

 

Do not prescribe Optune Lua for patients who are pregnant, whom you think might be pregnant, or who are trying to get pregnant, as the safety and effectiveness of Optune Lua in these populations have not been established. 

 

The most common (≥10%) adverse events involving Optune Lua concurrent with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel were dermatitis, musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, anemia, dyspnea, nausea, cough, diarrhea, anorexia, pruritus, leukopenia, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, localized edema, rash, pain, constipation, skin ulcers, and hypokalemia. 

 

Other potential adverse effects associated with the use of Optune Lua include treatment related skin toxicity, allergic reaction to the adhesive or to the gel, overheating of the array leading to pain and/or local skin burns, infections at the site where the arrays make contact with the skin, local warmth and tingling sensation beneath the arrays, medical device site reaction, muscle twitching, and skin breakdown or skin ulcer. 

 

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

 

Indication For Use

Optune Lua is intended as a treatment concurrent with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors or docetaxel for adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who have progressed on or after a platinum-based regimen. 

 


Please see full Instructions For Use (IFU) and Patient Information and Operation Manual (PIOM) for Optune Lua®.

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

 

 

 

 

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OptuneLuaHCP.com/MPM
Novocuretrials.com

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US-OPL-00070 v1.0 November 2024