Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 5, 2026
Tubal Cytology of the Fallopian Tube as a Promising Tool for Ovarian Cancer Early Detection
Published on: July 25, 2017
A new promising way of maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer: a comparative clinical study
Vsevolod I Kiselev1, Levon A Ashrafyan2, Ekaterina L Muyzhnek3
1Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russian Federation.
Background:
There is an urgent need for more novel and efficacious therapeutic agents and strategies for the treatment of ovarian cancer - one of the most formidable female malignancies. These approaches should be based on comprehensive understanding of the pathobiology of this cancer and focused on decreasing its recurrence and metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of five-year maintenance therapy with indole-3-carbinol (I3C) as well as I3C and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) conducted before, during, and after combined treatment compared with combined treatment alone in advanced ovarian cancer.
Methods:
Patients with stage III-IV serous ovarian cancer were assigned to receive combined treatment plus I3C (arm 1), combined treatment plus I3C and EGCG (arm 2), combined treatment plus I3C and EGCG plus long-term platinum-taxane chemotherapy (arm 3), combined treatment alone without neoadjuvant platinum-taxane chemotherapy (control arm 4), and combined treatment alone (control arm 5). Combined treatment included neoadjuvant platinum-taxane chemotherapy, surgery, and adjuvant platinum-taxane chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and rate of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer with ascites after combined treatment.
Results:
After five years of follow-up, maintenance therapy dramatically prolonged PFS and OS compared to control. Median OS was 60.0 months (95% CI: 58.0-60.0 months) in arm 1, 60.0 months (95% CI: 60.0-60.0 months) in arms 2 and 3 while 46.0 months (95% СI: 28.0-60.0 months) in arm 4, and 44.0 months (95% СI: 33.0-58.0 months) in arm 5. Median PFS was 39.5 months (95% СI: 28.0-49.0 months) in arm 1, 42.5 months (95% СI: 38.0-49.0 months) in arm 2, 48.5 months (95% СI: 39.0-53.0 months) in arm 3, 24.5 months (95% СI: 14.0-34.0 months) in arm 4, 22.0 months (95% СI: 15.0-26.0 months) in arm 5. The rate of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer with ascites after combined treatment was significantly less in maintenance therapy arms compared to control.
Conclusions:
Long-term usage of I3C and EGCG may represent a new promising way of maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer patients, which achieved better treatment outcomes.
Trial Registration:
Retrospectively registered with ANZCTR number: ACTRN12616000394448 . Date of registration: 24/03/2016.
Insights
Five-year maintenance therapy with indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) significantly improved survival outcomes for advanced ovarian cancer patients. This novel approach reduced recurrence and ascites compared to standard treatment alone.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Medical Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Advanced ovarian cancer necessitates novel therapeutic strategies to improve survival and reduce recurrence and metastasis.
- Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are natural compounds with potential anti-cancer properties.
- Evaluating long-term maintenance therapy with I3C and EGCG is crucial for advanced ovarian cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of five-year maintenance therapy using I3C and EGCG in advanced ovarian cancer.
- To compare the outcomes of I3C and EGCG maintenance therapy with standard combined treatment alone.
- To evaluate the impact on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and recurrent ascites.
Main Methods:
- Stage III-IV serous ovarian cancer patients were divided into five arms.
- Treatment arms included combined therapy (chemotherapy, surgery) with or without I3C and EGCG maintenance.
- Primary endpoint was OS; secondary endpoints included PFS and the rate of recurrent ascites.
Main Results:
- Five-year maintenance therapy with I3C and EGCG significantly prolonged PFS and OS compared to controls.
- Median OS ranged from 44.0 to 60.0 months, and median PFS ranged from 22.0 to 48.5 months across arms.
- The incidence of recurrent ovarian cancer with ascites was significantly lower in maintenance therapy arms.
Conclusions:
- Long-term I3C and EGCG maintenance therapy offers a promising new strategy for advanced ovarian cancer.
- This approach demonstrated superior treatment outcomes, including extended survival and reduced ascites.
- Further research into I3C and EGCG as adjuvant therapy in ovarian cancer is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
01:21Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
01:14Maintenance of the ES Cell State
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies