Intended for US audiences only

YOUR ROLE AS AN
OPTUNE LUA CARE PARTNER

Getting to know the Optune Lua device

As a care partner, you’re making an important difference in the life of your loved one with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC).

Since Optune Lua is a medical device rather than a drug cancer treatment, your role may be a bit different from other care partners.

Getting to know the Optune Lua device

Familiarizing yourself with the components of the treatment kit will ensure you are helping your loved one set up their device correctly every time they use Optune Lua.

Keeping your loved one’s skin healthy

Helping your loved one apply and remove their arrays will be one of the most critical parts of being a care partner.


Skin irritation is the most common device-related side effect of Optune Lua. That’s why it’s important to look for signs of skin irritation and to use care when changing arrays. But you aren’t in it alone. You’ll have a Device Support Specialist (DSS) and a dedicated MyNovocure® team who can teach you how to change arrays and answer any questions you might have.

Here are some tips:

Ask your loved one's doctor about healthy skin care routines

Some areas of the body, like the back, will be easier for you to see than your loved one. Make sure you’re aware of the signs and symptoms of skin irritation, below, so you can help catch them early and inform your loved one’s doctor.

Learn more about skin irritation

Care tip

You don’t need to do it all yourself. Be sure to involve your loved one’s doctor when it comes to managing skin irritation. A great way to do this is by taking pictures of the irritation to share with their healthcare team.

Your role in managing alarms

Don’t be worried if you hear an alarm go off on the device. These sounds are there to alert you of an issue with the device. Click the play buttons to hear what each one sounds like, and see how each issue can be resolved below. For all issues that can’t be resolved with the following steps, contact MyNovocure®.

Ways to support yourself

Remember—you’ve got this and your support is making a difference!

 

As you’re there for your loved one throughout their treatment, here are some ways you can prioritize yourself and your own well-being:

Wellness apps

Stress-relieving activities

Advocacy services, hospital social workers, or other professionals to talk to

Books and podcasts to relieve stress

Spending time with family and friends

Receiving help with daily tasks unrelated to cancer (groceries, laundry, etc)

Resources from lung cancer advocacy groups

Care tip

Taking care of your own emotional needs will give you the power to be the best care partner you can be.

Want to access this information in our Care Partner Brochure?

Download it here

Need more helpful resources?

Take a look

Important Safety Information and Indication

Who should not use Optune Lua?

Optune Lua for mNSCLC is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you have:

  • An electrical implant. Use of Optune Lua together with electrical implants has not been tested and may cause the implanted device not to work properly
  • A known sensitivity to gels like the gel used on electrocardiogram (ECG) stickers or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) electrodes. 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 allergies such as a fall in blood pressure and difficulty breathing

Do not use Optune Lua if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Optune Lua is safe or effective during pregnancy.

 

What should I know before using Optune Lua?

Optune Lua should only be used after receiving training from qualified personnel, such as your doctor, a nurse, or other medical staff who have completed a training course given by Novocure®, the maker of Optune Lua.

  • Do not use any parts that did not come with Optune Lua Treatment Kit sent to you by Novocure or given to you by your doctor
  • Do not get the device or transducer arrays wet
  • Please be aware that Optune Lua has a cord that plugs into an electrical socket. Be careful of tripping when it's connected 
  • If you have an underlying serious skin condition where the transducer arrays are placed, discuss with your doctor whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune Lua treatment

 

What are the possible side effects of Optune Lua?

The most common side effects of Optune Lua when used together with certain immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs were dermatitis, pain in the muscles, bones, or joints, fatigue, anemia, alopecia (hair loss), dyspnea, nausea, cough, diarrhea, anorexia, pruritus (itching), leukopenia, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, localized edema (swelling), rash, pain, constipation, skin ulcers, hypokalemia (low potassium levels), hypoalbuminemia (low albumin levels), hyponatremia (low sodium levels), and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

 

Other potential adverse effects associated with the use of Optune Lua include treatment related skin irritation, allergic reaction to the adhesive or to the gel, overheating of the array leading to pain and/or local skin burns, infections at 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/skin ulcer. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these side effects or questions.

 

What is Optune Lua® approved to treat?

Optune Lua is a wearable, portable, FDA-approved device used together with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (immunotherapy) or docetaxel. It is indicated for adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) who have progressed on or after a platinum-based regimen.

 

Please see Patient Information and Operation Manual (PIOM) for Optune Lua.

 

Important Safety Information and Indication

Who should not use Optune Lua?

Optune Lua for mNSCLC is not for everyone. Talk to your doctor if you have:

  • An electrical implant. Use of Optune Lua together with electrical implants has not been tested and may cause the implanted device not to work properly
  • A known sensitivity to gels like the gel used on electrocardiogram (ECG) stickers or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) electrodes. 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 allergies such as a fall in blood pressure and difficulty breathing

Do not use Optune Lua if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. It is not known if Optune Lua is safe or effective during pregnancy.

 

What should I know before using Optune Lua?

Optune Lua should only be used after receiving training from qualified personnel, such as your doctor, a nurse, or other medical staff who have completed a training course given by Novocure®, the maker of Optune Lua.

  • Do not use any parts that did not come with Optune Lua Treatment Kit sent to you by Novocure or given to you by your doctor
  • Do not get the device or transducer arrays wet
  • Please be aware that Optune Lua has a cord that plugs into an electrical socket. Be careful of tripping when it's connected 
  • If you have an underlying serious skin condition where the transducer arrays are placed, discuss with your doctor whether this may prevent or temporarily interfere with Optune Lua treatment

 

What are the possible side effects of Optune Lua?

The most common side effects of Optune Lua when used together with certain immunotherapy and chemotherapy drugs were dermatitis, pain in the muscles, bones, or joints, fatigue, anemia, alopecia (hair loss), dyspnea, nausea, cough, diarrhea, anorexia, pruritus (itching), leukopenia, pneumonia, respiratory tract infection, localized edema (swelling), rash, pain, constipation, skin ulcers, hypokalemia (low potassium levels), hypoalbuminemia (low albumin levels), hyponatremia (low sodium levels), and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).

 

Other potential adverse effects associated with the use of Optune Lua include treatment related skin irritation, allergic reaction to the adhesive or to the gel, overheating of the array leading to pain and/or local skin burns, infections at 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/skin ulcer. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these side effects or questions.

 

What is Optune Lua® approved to treat?

Optune Lua is a wearable, portable, FDA-approved device used together with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (immunotherapy) or docetaxel. It is indicated for adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) who have progressed on or after a platinum-based regimen.

 

Please see Patient Information and Operation Manual (PIOM) for Optune Lua.

 

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This website is intended for people seeking information on Optune Lua.

 

 

 

 

 




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