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Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynecological cancers affecting women. Due to non-specific symptoms in the early stages, ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when the disease has already spread beyond the ovaries. However, ongoing research and clinical trials are improving treatment options and survival rates for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This article provides an overview of the current landscape of ovarian cancer drugs and therapies.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells or stop their growth. It remains a standard treatment for ovarian cancer in most cases. Some of the commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs for ovarian cancer include:
– Carboplatin: Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug that works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which triggers their death. It is often used in combination with other drugs like paclitaxel or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.
– Paclitaxel: Paclitaxel, also known by the brand name Taxol, is a taxane drug that disrupts the microtubule function in cells, stopping cancer cell division and triggering cell death. It is commonly used alongside carboplatin for front-line treatment of ovarian cancer.
– Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin: This form of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin consists of doxorubicin encapsulated in pegylated liposomes, allowing it to accumulate more in tumor tissues. It has activity against recurrent ovarian cancer and can be used in combination with other drugs.
– Bevacizumab: Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein involved in the formation of new blood vessels. By inhibiting VEGF, bevacizumab helps control tumor growth and progression. It is approved for use with chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer.
Targeted Therapy Drugs
While chemotherapy remains a key pillar of ovarian cancer treatment, targeted therapies that block specific molecular pathways driving cancer growth are expanding options. Here are some of the targeted therapies being utilized:
– PARP Inhibitors: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors such as olaparib, rucaparib, niraparib work by blocking the activity of PARP enzymes that cancer cells require for DNA repair. This is especially effective in cancers with inherited BRCA gene mutations since these genes also play a role in DNA repair.
– Angiogenesis Inhibitors: Drugs that inhibit tumor angiogenesis beyond bevacizumab include trebananib, which blocks signaling of the angiopoietin-1 and -2 receptors involved in blood vessel formation.
– PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors: Mutations in genes encoding proteins in this signaling pathway are common in ovarian cancer. Experimental drugs target specific nodes in this pathway such as PI3K, AKT or mTOR.
– Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Drugs like pembrolizumab work by releasing brakes on the immune system called immune checkpoints (PD-1, CTLA-4 etc.). This boosts the ability of T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. Early trials show promise, especially in combination with other treatments.
Advances through Clinical Trials
Ongoing clinical trials continue to test new drugs as well as combination strategies. Some recent advances are:
– First-line maintenance: PARP inhibitors like niraparib and olaparib showed improved progression-free survival when used as maintenance therapy after front-line chemotherapy, leading to their FDA approval in this setting.
– Platinum resistance: In platinum-resistant recurrent disease, rucaparib demonstrated significant progression-free survival benefits over chemotherapy in patients with BRCA mutations.
– Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Using chemotherapy before surgery to shrink tumors may improve resectability and outcomes. Trials test this approach with newer agents.
– Immunotherapy combinations: Early phase trials combine PARP inhibitors, chemotherapy and immune checkpoint drugs with encouraging responses seen. Larger phase 3 trials ongoing.
– Targeted drug combinations: Trials evaluate doublet or triplet combinations of PARP, angiogenesis or pathway inhibitors to impact survival. Biomarker strategies may help identify optimal pairings.
Conclusion
With a deeper understanding of molecular alterations driving ovarian cancer, treatment approaches are rapidly evolving. While challenges remain, innovative clinical research alongside companion diagnostics hold promise to revolutionize ovarian cancer management. Ongoing advances in drugs, biomarkers and combination strategies provide hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for women with this disease.
*Note:
- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynecological cancers affecting women. Due to non-specific symptoms in the early stages, ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when the disease has already spread beyond the ovaries. However, ongoing research and clinical trials are improving treatment options and survival rates for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This article provides an overview of the current landscape of ovarian cancer drugs and therapies.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells or stop their growth. It remains a standard treatment for ovarian cancer in most cases. Some of the commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs for ovarian cancer include:
– Carboplatin: Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug that works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which triggers their death. It is often used in combination with other drugs like paclitaxel or pegylated liposomal doxorubicin.
– Paclitaxel: Paclitaxel, also known by the brand name Taxol, is a taxane drug that disrupts the microtubule function in cells, stopping cancer cell division and triggering cell death. It is commonly used alongside carboplatin for front-line treatment of ovarian cancer.
– Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin: This form of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin consists of doxorubicin encapsulated in pegylated liposomes, allowing it to accumulate more in tumor tissues. It has activity against recurrent ovarian cancer and can be used in combination with other drugs.
– Bevacizumab: Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a protein involved in the formation of new blood vessels. By inhibiting VEGF, bevacizumab helps control tumor growth and progression. It is approved for use with chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer.
Targeted Therapy Drugs
While chemotherapy remains a key pillar of ovarian cancer treatment, targeted therapies that block specific molecular pathways driving cancer growth are expanding options. Here are some of the targeted therapies being utilized:
– PARP Inhibitors: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors such as olaparib, rucaparib, niraparib work by blocking the activity of PARP enzymes that cancer cells require for DNA repair. This is especially effective in cancers with inherited BRCA gene mutations since these genes also play a role in DNA repair.
– Angiogenesis Inhibitors: Drugs that inhibit tumor angiogenesis beyond bevacizumab include trebananib, which blocks signaling of the angiopoietin-1 and -2 receptors involved in blood vessel formation.
– PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors: Mutations in genes encoding proteins in this signaling pathway are common in ovarian cancer. Experimental drugs target specific nodes in this pathway such as PI3K, AKT or mTOR.
– Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: Drugs like pembrolizumab work by releasing brakes on the immune system called immune checkpoints (PD-1, CTLA-4 etc.). This boosts the ability of T-cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. Early trials show promise, especially in combination with other treatments.
Advances through Clinical Trials
Ongoing clinical trials continue to test new drugs as well as combination strategies. Some recent advances are:
– First-line maintenance: PARP inhibitors like niraparib and olaparib showed improved progression-free survival when used as maintenance therapy after front-line chemotherapy, leading to their FDA approval in this setting.
– Platinum resistance: In platinum-resistant recurrent disease, rucaparib demonstrated significant progression-free survival benefits over chemotherapy in patients with BRCA mutations.
– Neoadjuvant chemotherapy: Using chemotherapy before surgery to shrink tumors may improve resectability and outcomes. Trials test this approach with newer agents.
– Immunotherapy combinations: Early phase trials combine PARP inhibitors, chemotherapy and immune checkpoint drugs with encouraging responses seen. Larger phase 3 trials ongoing.
– Targeted drug combinations: Trials evaluate doublet or triplet combinations of PARP, angiogenesis or pathway inhibitors to impact survival. Biomarker strategies may help identify optimal pairings.
Conclusion
With a deeper understanding of molecular alterations driving ovarian cancer, treatment approaches are rapidly evolving. While challenges remain, innovative clinical research alongside companion diagnostics hold promise to revolutionize ovarian cancer management. Ongoing advances in drugs, biomarkers and combination strategies provide hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for women with this disease.
*Note:
- Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has an expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.
