Natalie Godbee, DO, a gynecologic oncologist at the City of Hope Atlanta, discusses the current state of advanced ovarian cancer treatment in an interview with Targeted OncologyTM. Genetic markers play a crucial role in ovarian cancer, which is a disease associated with BRCA1/2 gene mutations in many patients. By examining specific biomarkers, physicians can predict disease risk factors and select appropriate treatments to maximize survival outcomes.
PARP inhibitors are a targeted therapy that has shown efficacy in patients with BRCA mutations and is now being used as a primary maintenance therapy following platinum-based chemotherapy frontline. PARP inhibitors have been shown to be beneficial even in the early stages and can double the duration of progression-free survival. Due to the high recurrence rate of ovarian cancer, genetic testing using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and other tools is crucial in finding clinical trials for patients with recurrent disease.
Godbee emphasizes NGS molecular testing, which opens up treatment options for patients, especially those who become platinum-resistant. Clinical trials are always positive for patients, and the rapid approval of the mirvetuximab soravtansine-jinx antibody against the alpha folate receptor is a promising development. Godbee encourages oncologists to confirm genomic tests using NGS and stresses the importance of finding the best treatment for ovarian cancer, given the high rate of recurrence.