Posted 1 year ago
Positive Phase 3 Study of Innovative Therapy, Offering New Hope for Advanced Lung Cancer Patients
In a remarkable stride against advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the successful completion of the pivotal Phase 3 study known as LUNAR presents a renewed hope for patients who have exhausted conventional therapeutic options. Among the distinguished contributors to the research leading to this milestone is Dr. Sujith Kalmadi, a medical oncologist and esteemed Chief Medical Officer, at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers.
LUNAR evaluated the use of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy together with standard systemic therapies for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC following progression on or after platinum-based therapy. The LUNAR trial met its primary endpoint, showing a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 3-month improvement in median overall survival (OS) when TTFields therapy was added to physician’s choice of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) or docetaxel (HR: 0.74, P=0.035). The data demonstrate the efficacy and safety of TTFields therapy in this setting, with no systemic toxicities or new safety signals. In addition, patient-reported data suggest there was no quality-of-life burden associated with adding TTFields therapy to standard therapy.
TTFields therapy represents a pioneering approach in oncology. This innovative treatment method involves the use of a portable medical device that delivers alternating electric fields, carefully adjusted to target the specific location of the tumor. These electric fields disrupt the cell division process in cancer cells, slowing down their growth and potentially triggering programmed cell death.
A standout advantage of TTFields therapy is that it doesn’t require any invasive procedures, significantly lowering the side effects typically linked with traditional treatments like chemotherapy. This advancement offers a more patient-focused and effective addition to other therapies in a challenging medical environment.
The positive LUNAR study of TTFields therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer marks a significant milestone in the field of cancer treatment. This new treatment introduces newfound hope for individuals facing advanced lung cancer with limited treatment options. TTFields therapy is renowned for its physical approach compared to conventional methods like chemotherapy, known for its often-debilitating side effects.
The LUNAR clinical trial data are expected to serve as the basis for a Premarket Approval (PMA) submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the second half of 2023. Novocure recently completed the LUNAR submission for CE mark.
Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers is honored to be at the forefront of this transformative progress, offering compassionate care and access to cutting-edge cancer treatments. The commitment to advancing medical knowledge and patient well-being drives our active and expanding clinical research program. By supporting clinical research today, we are helping build the future of medicine and the profound developments that are sure to come by providing renewed hope for our patients and their families. The comprehensive team of medical experts at Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers ensures eligible patients have access to the latest therapies, reaffirming our dedication to their quality of life.
Sujith R. Kalmadi, MD
Dr. Kalmadi joined Ironwood Cancer and Research Centers in 2008 and serves as Chief Medical Officer. After finishing his medical schooling in India, Dr. Sujith Kalmadi completed his residency training and fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.
He then served as academic clinical faculty at the Cleveland Clinic School of Medicine (Lerner School) in Cleveland, Ohio, and subsequently at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. During his tenure at these prestigious institutions, he pioneered several novel clinical research trials which have been lauded at national scientific meetings and published in peer reviewed journals.
Dr. Kalmadi is actively involved in the education of medical students and residents from Creighton University School of Medicine and Midwestern University and serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Hematology and Medical Oncology at both institutions. He has been selected multiple years by his professional peers as a Top Doc in PHOENIX Magazine.
His areas of clinical and research interests include several solid tumors, gastrointestinal malignancies, and hematological disorders. He has been the principal investigator in several innovative clinical trials across the years, which has led to FDA approval of several lifesaving cancer therapeutics.
He currently resides in Chandler with his wife and three children and enjoys tennis, chess, and racquetball during his spare time. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology.