Dermatologic AEs
Maximize time on Optune Gio with proper skin care
Help maximize time on treatment by getting ahead of dermatologic adverse events (dAEs) with the M3 approach: mitigate with care, monitor symptoms, and manage with proper treatment1
- The most common adverse event associated with Optune Gio in clinical trials was skin irritation beneath the arrays. For this reason, it is important to monitor not only the patient’s clinical status but also their scalp health2,3
- dAEs can potentially be prevented, are typically mild to moderate in nature, and are generally managed with topical therapy without resulting in treatment discontinuation2,3
Note: Inform your patients to contact you as soon as they experience itching, redness, or inflammation. Proper identification/management may prevent progression to a more serious grade1
Help mitigate dAEs with preventative measures1,4
Reduce the risk of skin irritation while using Optune Gio by directing patients to properly care for their skin and instruct them to follow prophylactic interventions to properly remove, place, or replace arrays
Advise patients and caregivers to:
Always wash their hands prior to application and removal of transducer arrays
Wash their scalp between transducer array exchanges
Clean the electric razor per manufacturer’s guidelines after every shave
Help reduce the risk of skin irritation with proper transducer array placement and shifting
Guidance based on clinical trial results and real-world clinical experience in glioblastoma. Novocure cannot give medical advice.1,4
Note: Properly preparing the skin before applying the Optune Gio arrays is important to help prevent irritation, reduce the risk of infection, and ensure the arrays adhere effectively.4
Monitor symptoms and intervene with the necessary action
Help identify the most common dAEs related to Optune Gio use and initiate appropriate management by clicking the (+) next to each dAE
Note: Inform your patients to contact you as soon as they experience itching, redness, or inflammation. Proper identification/management may prevent progression to a more serious grade. Treatment interruption may be required for persistent or severe dAEs that do not improve despite dAE management. If skin conditions continue, consider referral to a dermatologist.1
Manage with the proper treatment
Advise patients on how to apply topical agents and when/if treatment breaks are needed for dAE management
Pharmacologic interventions1
Depending on diagnosis, recommended treatments include topical antibiotics and topical corticosteroids
Patient instructions on how to apply topical medications:
- Remove arrays and clean scalp with mild, fragrance-free soap and water
Apply a topical agent (eg, steroid or antibiotic) to affected area(s)
- Apply topical agents only when arrays are exchanged, at least 2 times a week (every 4 days at most)
- A thin layer should be applied to the dry scalp
Wait at least 15 minutes to allow agent to dry
- Wipe scalp with medical (70%) alcohol after agent has dried
- Apply new arrays to dry scalp, shifting array placement by 0.75 inches at each array change, ensuring that pairs of arrays are moved together
Treatment interruptions4
Interruption may be required for persistent or severe dAEs that do not improve despite management
Instructions on treatment interruptions:
- Interrupting for 2-7 days in addition to topical treatment is often sufficient
- Skin ulcerations require interruption until AEs are grade 0-1 (up to 14 days)
- Resume treatment when dAE no longer interferes with placement of array
- Extended interruption may compromise treatment efficiency
Skin irritations seen as a result of treatment with Optune Gio can usually be managed with proper skin care and the use of medications, without discontinuing therapy1
References: 1. Optune Gio. Patient Information and Operation Manual. Novocure; 2023. 2. Stupp R, Taillibert S, Kanner A, et al. Effect of tumor-treating fields plus maintenance temozolomide vs maintenance temozolomide alone on survival in patients with glioblastoma: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2017;318(23):2306-2316. 3. Novocure Data on File OPT-103. 4. Lacouture ME, Anadkat MJ, Ballo MT, et al. Front Oncol. 2020;10:1045. doi:10.3389/fonc.2020.01045