The Evolving Arena of Ovarian Cancer Maintenance Therapy

Oncology. 2019;97(4):202-205. doi: 10.1159/000501618. Epub 2019 Jul 9.

Abstract

Based on the results of several phase 3 randomized trials, "maintenance therapy" (prolonged treatment after an initial response to cytotoxic chemotherapy) has assumed a critical role in the routine care of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. While earlier data had provided support for this therapeutic concept in disease management (e.g., multiple cycles of single-agent paclitaxel following a clinical complete response to a platinum/paclitaxel regimen), more recent data has revealed both the efficacy and safety of the anti-angiogenesis agent, bevacizumab, and several PARP inhibitors when employed in this clinical setting.

Keywords: Bevacizumab; Maintenance therapy; Ovarian cancer; PARP inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bevacizumab / administration & dosage
  • Drug Therapy / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology / trends*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / immunology
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Platinum / administration & dosage
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors
  • Bevacizumab
  • Platinum
  • Paclitaxel