After a woman is given initial treatment, many of them will go intro remission (about 80%), but unfortunately, about 70-80% of those women will experience a cancer recurrence. Doctors have been trying for a long time to find a way to keep the disease from returning, a phase of treatment called maintenance therapy. After years of studying different drugs, a recent major study found some really encouraging results.
The study — called PRIMA — was revealed at one of the biggest cancer meetings in the world, and could make an important difference for women who have just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A class of drugs called PARP Inhibitors may become part of initial treatment for a huge number of women battling the disease.
Read MoreThe PARP inhibitor Lynparza (olaparib) is approved for women newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer and with a germline or somatic mutation in BRCA1/2. Lynparza is also approved in combination with Avastin (bevacizumab) for women with HRD. Avastin is a blood vessel growth inhibitor, which works by starving the tumor of vital nutrients needed to grow.
For women with ovarian cancer who have had a recurrence and responded to platinum-based chemotherapy, Lynparza, Zejula and another PARP inhibitor called Rubraca (rucaparib) are FDA approved for use as a maintenance therapy, regardless of whether a woman has a BRCA mutation or HRD.
For some women who have had prior chemotherapy treatments, Rubraca, Zejula or Lynparza may also be options. These uses are based on factors such as number of prior therapies and BRCA mutation or HRD.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
ANSWER QUESTIONS
