Understanding Hard-To-Treat Advanced Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian cancers with high amount of a protein known as FR-alpha may spread faster and stop responding to traditional chemotherapy.
- A drug called Elahere may provide benefit to patients with high amounts of this protein, offering hope when other treatments no longer work.
- Ask your doctor about a no-cost test called immunohistochemistry that measures folate receptor expression and can predict how much Elahere will help.
- Elahere has fewer side effects than many cancer treatments but it may cause eyesight or breathing problems so be sure to tell your doctor should problems arise.
FR-alpha, or folate receptor-positive cancer, is a type of ovarian cancer where a lot of a specific protein called FR-alpha is found on the surface of the cancer cells. Fr-alpha proteins are present in about 80% of new and recurring cases of ovarian cancer.
Read MoreWhat is a folate receptor?
Folate receptors are like little “gateways” on the surface of both healthy and cancerous cells. They act as a door way for B9, also called folate, which is a vitamin that helps cells to grow and divide.
In ovarian cancer, when there are a lot more folate receptors on cancer cells compared to normal ones, it helps doctors choose treatments that only attack the cancer cells, leaving the healthy ones alone. Think of it like hitting a bullseye with a dart, instead of throwing a lot of darts that land all over the board.
Scientists are looking for new ways to treat ovarian cancer. Knowing that the cancer is folate receptor positive can help them understand which therapies will be most effective.
Related: Am I Eligible For The New Ovarian Cancer Treatment Elahere?
What tests will tell me if my cancer is Folate Receptor Positive?
If your ovarian cancer returns, doctors will check for folate receptor levels by taking a small tissue sample during surgery or biopsy. This sample is sent to a lab for testing using a method called immunohistochemistry (IHC), which helps identify specific markers on the cells.
It’s important to talk to your doctor about this test as early as possible in your treatment and ask for it if needed. Most doctors don’t routinely do this test, but it can help focus treatment and improve outcomes.
Many patients in the US, including Phoenix, can get tested for free. You qualify if:
- You have ovarian cancer
- Live in the US or a US territory,
- Have not been tested before
- Your doctor thinks it’s needed.
NeoGenomics partners with ImmunoGen for the FR-ASSIST program, offering free tests for ovarian cancer patients who haven’t had FRα testing. Eligible patients can ask their oncologist to fill out a form to get the free test.
Labcorp also offers free testing through the FR-ASSIST™ FOLR1 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) Sponsored Testing Program for eligible patients.
How does the drug Elahere treat folate receptor-positive cancer?
Elahere (molecular name mirvetuximab soravtansine) is the only FDA-approved drug for treating ovarian cancer in adults who no longer respond to platinum-based chemotherapy and have already received 1-3 types of chemotherapy.
It targets cancer cells with high levels of the FRα protein. It works by attaching to FRα to stop cancer cell growth while saving healthy cells.
Elahere is administered intravenously once every 3 weeks as part of a treatment cycle.
Related: Is The Drug Elahere An Option When My Ovarian Cancer Returns?
How effective is Elahere?
- More than 30% of patients who received Elahere after taking a previous drug had a longer period before their cancer worsened compared to previous treatments.
- About 25% of the patients had lived longer after receiving Elahere compared to other treatments.
- Additionally, about 30% of patients had a good response to Elahere that lasted about 7 months.
However, the drug does come with safety concerns as well as the potential for side effects.
Safety considerations
- Serious eye problems
- Lung inflammation (Pneumonitis)
- Nerve problems (Peripheral Neuropathy)
Common side effects
- Exhaustion
- Elevated liver enzymes in the blood
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Lower red or white blood cell count
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Lower albumin level in the blood
- Decreased magnesium level in the blood
Special considerations
- Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should discuss this with their doctor before taking Elahere.
- Women of childbearing age should use birth control during treatment and for 7 months after the last dose of Elahere.
- Avoid breastfeeding during treatment and for 1 month after the last dose.
Related: Will Insurance Cover Elahere?
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Should I be tested for folate receptor expression?
- Am I a good candidate for taking Elahere?
- What potential side effects or safety concerns should I be aware of?
- Will my treatment be covered by insurance?
- Are there any clinical trials that are right for me?
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