Repurposed Drug May Extend Survival in Aggressive Ovarian Cancer, Trial Shows
Ovarian cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer among women in the United Kingdom, with approximately 7,600 new cases diagnosed annually. This disease accounts for about 4% of all new cancer cases in women and leads to roughly 3,900 deaths each year, highlighting a critical need for effective treatments.
Breakthrough in Platinum-Resistant Cases
Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer occurs when the disease progresses within six months of starting platinum-based chemotherapy, a treatment that uses compounds containing platinum to destroy cancer cells by inhibiting their division. Patients with this aggressive form typically face a grim prognosis, with an average survival of only one year after diagnosis and limited therapeutic options.
A groundbreaking clinical trial, published in the Lancet, analysed data from 381 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Participants were divided into two groups: one received standard care, while the other was treated with relacorilant, a pill originally developed for Cushing's syndrome, a condition characterised by excessive cortisol hormone levels.
Significant Reduction in Mortality Risk
After an average follow-up period of two years, the results demonstrated a remarkable 35% reduction in the risk of death among patients administered relacorilant compared to those on usual care. On average, individuals in the relacorilant group lived four months longer than their counterparts in the control group.
The researchers concluded that these findings support relacorilant as a potential new standard treatment option for patients battling platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, offering a beacon of hope in a challenging clinical landscape.
Additional Insights from Immunotherapy Study
In a separate study involving 643 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, those treated with pembrolizumab—an immunotherapy drug that stimulates the immune system to attack cancer cells—alongside usual care survived for an average of 17.7 months. This compares to an average survival of 14 months for patients receiving standard care alone, further underscoring the potential of innovative therapies to improve outcomes.
Regulatory Status and Future Prospects
Both trials are currently in phase 3, necessitating additional testing before they can gain approval for use in the UK. However, relacorilant and pembrolizumab have already received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, paving the way for potential global adoption.
This research represents a significant step forward in oncology, highlighting how repurposing existing drugs can unlock new avenues for extending survival and enhancing quality of life for patients with aggressive cancers.
