Dr. Monk on Combination Therapies in Patients With Ovarian Cancer

Bradley J. Monk, MD, professor and director, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Arizona Oncology, discusses combination approaches in patients with ovarian cancer.

There are a number of trials that are examining the use of checkpoint inhibitors, such as with avelumab (Bavencio) and atezolizumab (Tecentriq), in combination with chemotherapy. In addition to combinations of checkpoint inhibitors with cytotoxic chemotherapy, there are now combinations of targeted therapies. That may be a combination of antiangiogenic agents, a PARP inhibitor with immune-oncology agents, or maybe even an antibody-drug conjugate. It’s impossible to sort out what the optimal combination is, but they all show signals of efficacy, states Monk.

These signals are now translating into larger randomized trials with the potential for accelerated FDA approvals. Bringing checkpoint inhibitors to the clinic for patients with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer has garnered much excitement to the field.