A recent study, led by researchers at Yale Cancer Center and the University of Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Center, has revealed promising results in the treatment of platinum/taxane-resistant ovarian cancer. Published in the British Journal of Cancer, the study suggests that the combination therapy of ixabepilone plus bevacizumab (IXA+BEV) shows significant potential in extending both progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to ixabepilone alone.
According to the study’s senior author, Dr. Alessandro Santin, a Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale School of Medicine, and Disease Aligned Research Team Leader for the Gynecological Cancers Program at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, there is a critical need for novel approaches in treating relapsed ovarian cancer, as current treatment options are limited.
Ovarian cancer is identified as one of the most lethal gynecologic malignancies, with an alarming rate of diagnosis and mortality in the United States. The American Cancer Society reports that nearly 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually, resulting in over 12,000 deaths.
Ixabepilone (IXA), a microtubule-stabilizing agent, is considered potentially beneficial for patients previously treated with platinum/paclitaxel. Bevacizumab (BEV), an antibody that inhibits the formation of new blood vessels, has also demonstrated clinical activity in ovarian cancer treatment.
In the phase II study, researchers randomly assigned 78 patients to receive either IXA+BEV or IXA alone. The primary endpoint of the study was progression-free survival (PFS), with overall survival (OS), safety, and response rates serving as secondary endpoints.
Results from the study indicate a notable increase in response rates among patients who received IXA+BEV compared to IXA alone, with the addition of BEV significantly improving both PFS and OS. Moreover, both treatment regimens were well-tolerated by patients.
Dr. Dana M. Roque, the study’s first author and Associate Professor of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, underscores the potential impact of these findings in the field of gynecologic oncology. She emphasizes the importance of offering effective treatment options for ovarian cancer patients facing limited alternatives.
The study received funding from various sources, including RPharm-US, the National Institutes of Health, the National Cancer Institute, and several foundations dedicated to cancer research and treatment.
In conclusion, the study’s findings provide promising insights into the treatment of platinum/taxane-resistant ovarian cancer, highlighting the potential efficacy of the combination therapy IXA+BEV in extending survival outcomes for patients facing this challenging disease.
