Jing-Yi Chern, MD, ScM, a gynecologic oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, discussesoutcomes with PARP inhibitors in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. 

Two trials, the phase 3 ENGOT-OV16/NOVA (NCT01847274) and SOLO-2 (NCT01874353) trials, shed light on the use of these agents in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer, Chern says. These patients likely have not received treatment with PARP inhibition in the frontline setting. As such, the goal is to increase the platinum-free interval, because the impact of a long interval can improve overall outcomes, including survival, Chern explains.

Both studies show that PARP inhibition allows for that improvement, Chern notes. Additionally, patients whose tumors harbored a germline 

 mutation who were included in the NOVA study experienced a median PFS pf 21.0 months with the PARP inhibitor niraparib (Zejula) vs 5.5 months with placebo, Chern concludes.

Videos

Jing-Yi Chern, MD, ScM, discusses outcomes with PARP inhibitors in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. 

Dr. Chern on Outcomes With PARP Inhibitors in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Jing-Yi Chern, MD, ScM, a gynecologic oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses future research directions in the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer.

Currently, at Moffit Cancer Center, there are efforts underway to identify patients early on and ensure that they receive a maintenance therapy regimen, if appropriate, Chern says. Pathways have been developed to identifypatients and test them early in their treatment to ensure they are ready for maintenance therapy, Chern notes. Additionally, these pathways have allowed healthcare providers to identify other mutations that could allow patients easier access to clinical trials, according to Chern.

Clinical trials for this patient population include those evaluating PARP inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and immunotherapy, and are ongoing at Moffitt Cancer Center, as well as at other institutions, Chern explains. Through this research, providers are able to find opportunities for patients to receive treatments that they otherwise could not receive, Chern concludes.

Jing-Yi Chern, MD, ScM, discusses future research directions in the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer.


Dr. Chern on Future Research Directions in Ovarian Cancer

Jing-Yi Chern, MD, ScM, a gynecologic oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, discusses efforts being made to combine PARP inhibitors with chemotherapy and immunotherapy in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Chemotherapy will likely continue to be the standard of care for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, but as recurrence occurs in shorter intervals, it is important to look for the opportunity to incorporate PARP inhibition and immunotherapy into treatment regimens, Chern explains. For example, the phase 3 JAVELIN OVARIAN 100 trial (NCT02718417) treated patients with immunotherapy in the recurrent setting, although the trial did not meet its primary end point; this may indicate that a combination regimen is necessary, Chern adds. 

Ongoing studies seek to determine which additional agents are needed. For example, the phase 2 QUADRA trial (NCT02354586) will examine the efficacy of PARP inhibitors in patients with recurrent disease who had previously received treatment with chemotherapy. Early results from the trial have demonstrated benefit with this approach, Chern adds. More trials will be needed to determine the optimal combination regimen with the greatest benefit, Chern concludes.

Jing-Yi Chern, MD, ScM, discusses efforts being made to combine PARP inhibitors with chemotherapy and immunotherapy in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.


Jing-Yi Chern, MD, ScM

Articles

Dr. Chern on Outcomes With PARP Inhibitors in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Chern on Future Research Directions in Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Chern on Opportunities for PARP Combinations in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer