Buzzi Unicem Foundation funds the STELLAR study

A study was recently published in a prestigious scientific journal entitled: “Tumor Treating Fields in combination with pemetrexed and cisplatin or carboplatin as first-line treatment for unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (STELLAR): a multicenter, single-arm phase 2 trial”. 

This research was made possible due to funding received from the Buzzi Unicem Foundation among others, for which the authors, including lead author Dr. Giovanni L. Ceresoli, extend their gratitude for the support provided by our foundation.
Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are a regional, antimitotic treatment for solid tumors, which is based on the delivery of low-intensity alternating electric fields. 

The aim of the STELLAR study was to test the activity of TTFields delivered to the thorax in combination with systemic chemotherapy for the front-line treatment of patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. The trial showed encouraging overall survival results, with no increase in systemic toxicity. TTFields (150 kHz) delivered to the thorax concomitant with pemetrexed and platinum was an active and safe combination for front-line treatment of unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma. Further investigation in a randomized trial is warranted to confirm these results. 

The Buzzi Unicem Foundation has therefore agreed to continue funding this research, supporting in particular a specific analysis of these new devices, which will be conducted at the Mario Negri Institute.