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Updated: Apr 17, 2026
Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
Published on: December 5, 2020
New perspectives on targeted therapy in ovarian cancer
Jermaine Ig Coward1, Kathryn Middleton2, Felicity Murphy2
1Mater Health Services, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia ; Inflammtion and Cancer Therapeutics Group, Mater Research, University of Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, Australia ; School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Abstract:
Epithelial ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. During the last 15 years, there has been only marginal improvement in 5 year overall survival. These daunting statistics are compounded by the fact that despite all subtypes exhibiting striking heterogeneity, their systemic management remains identical. Although changes to the scheduling and administration of chemotherapy have improved outcomes to a degree, a therapeutic ceiling is being reached with this approach, resulting in a number of trials investigating the efficacy of targeted therapies alongside standard treatment algorithms. Furthermore, there is an urge to develop subtype-specific studies in an attempt to improve outcomes, which currently remain poor. This review summarizes the key studies with antiangiogenic agents, poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) inhibitors, and epidermal growth factor receptor/human epidermal growth factor receptor family targeting, in addition to folate receptor antagonists and insulin growth factor receptor inhibitors. The efficacy of treatment paradigms used in non-ovarian malignancies for type I tumors is also highlighted, in addition to recent advances in appropriate patient stratification for targeted therapies in epithelial ovarian cancer.
Insights
Epithelial ovarian cancer survival has seen minimal improvement due to uniform treatment across heterogeneous subtypes. Targeted therapies and subtype-specific approaches are crucial for advancing treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Translational Cancer Research
- Precision Medicine
Background:
- Epithelial ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy with stagnant survival rates.
- Current systemic management is uniform despite significant tumor heterogeneity across subtypes.
- Chemotherapy advancements have reached a therapeutic plateau, necessitating novel treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key studies on targeted therapies for epithelial ovarian cancer.
- To explore subtype-specific treatment approaches and patient stratification.
- To highlight progress in novel therapeutic agents and their efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trials investigating targeted therapies.
- Analysis of studies on antiangiogenic agents, PARP inhibitors, and EGFR/HER family inhibitors.
- Examination of folate receptor antagonists and IGF receptor inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Targeted therapies show promise alongside standard treatments.
- Subtype-specific strategies are under investigation to improve outcomes.
- Patient stratification for targeted therapies is advancing.
Conclusions:
- Novel targeted therapies offer new avenues for epithelial ovarian cancer treatment.
- Personalized medicine approaches are essential for overcoming treatment resistance.
- Further research into subtype-specific and targeted therapies is critical for improving survival.
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