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Murine Model for Non-invasive Imaging to Detect and Monitor Ovarian Cancer Recurrence
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Investigational agents in development for the treatment of ovarian cancer

Shannon N Westin1, Thomas J Herzog, Robert L Coleman

  • 1Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. swestin@mdanderson.org

Investigational New Drugs
|June 5, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Targeted therapies, including antiangiogenic and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, show promise for advanced ovarian cancer. Further research into novel agents and combinations aims to improve patient survival and quality of life.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer treatment has seen success, but significant room for improvement remains.
  • Targeted agents offer potential for enhanced survival and quality of life in ovarian cancer patients.
  • Numerous molecular pathways are under investigation for therapeutic intervention in ovarian cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and emerging targeted therapies for advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer.
  • To discuss the role of various signaling pathways and their inhibitors in ovarian cancer treatment.
  • To highlight the challenges and future directions in optimizing targeted agent combinations.

Main Methods:

  • Review of accumulating clinical trial data for targeted agents.
  • Exploration of antiangiogenic therapies, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors.
  • Evaluation of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and other pathway-specific inhibitors (PI3K, mTOR, AKT, Src, folate receptor alpha, IGF-1R, EGFR, Wee-1).

Main Results:

  • Antiangiogenic therapies and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are accumulating clinical data.
  • Inhibitors targeting PI3K, mTOR, AKT, Src, folate receptor alpha, and IGF-1R pathways are in early development.
  • Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway inhibition shows promise with newer agents, and Wee-1 inhibitors are being evaluated for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Modest results have been reported for current targeted agents in ovarian cancer.
  • Optimal timing and combination strategies for novel agents with conventional chemotherapy are critical logistical challenges.
  • A deeper understanding of these pathways will likely lead to greater impact on treatment response and survival in ovarian cancer.

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