Top advances of the year: Ovarian cancer

Abstract

Although cure rates remain low and effective screening strategies are elusive, the recent advances in systemic therapies over the past year highlighted in this review have prolonged survival for women with ovarian cancer. In 2022, the first antibody–drug conjugate for platinum‐resistant ovarian cancer received accelerated US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Confirmatory studies examining the efficacy of mirvetuximab and other antibody–drug conjugates are underway. In the upfront setting, the first data establishing an overall survival benefit from poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor maintenance was demonstrated after a 7‐year follow‐up period. In contrast, long‐term updates from poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor trials in the noncurative setting reported survival detriments, and the FDA withdrew the respective indications. Several trials attempted to improve upon the standard of care for platinum‐sensitive ovarian carcinoma and those with rare ovarian cancer histologies (carcinosarcoma, clear cell carcinoma) but failed to demonstrate a clinically or statistically meaningful benefit. This leaves the open question of how to further optimize systemic therapy for advanced ovarian carcinoma to improve long‐term survival and cure rates.

Amplification of Hippo Signaling Pathway Genes Is Governed and Implicated in the Serous Subtype-Specific Ovarian Carcino-Genesis

“…For effective reproduction, the ovary must undergo this cyclical remodeling, which includes the processes of follicle genesis, ovulation, and development and regression of the luteal phase [1,2]. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth among women's cancer-related fatalities and is also the deadliest gynecological disease in the US [3]. Every year globally, about 225,500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and among these, 140,200 fatalities occur [4].…”