Clinical perspectives of BET inhibition in ovarian cancer

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
07:59

Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1

Published on: December 5, 2020

2.8K

Angeliki Andrikopoulou1,2, Michalis Liontos1,2, Konstantinos Koutsoukos1,2

  • 1Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528, Athens, Greece.

Cellular Oncology (Dordrecht, Netherlands)
|January 20, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors show promise for ovarian cancer treatment by targeting oncogenic pathways. These inhibitors may resensitize resistant cancer cells to existing therapies, with ongoing clinical trials expected to confirm their efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Epigenetics
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins are epigenetic readers regulating gene transcription, including oncogenic drivers like MYC and Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) in ovarian cancer.
  • BRD4 amplification is observed in high-grade serous carcinomas (HGSC) of the ovary.
  • BET inhibitors have demonstrated potential in preclinical models to inhibit ovarian cancer cell proliferation and dissemination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the molecular effects of BET inhibitors in ovarian tumors.
  • To summarize preclinical activities of BET inhibitors in ovarian cancer.
  • To discuss the potential of BET inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on BET inhibitors and ovarian cancer.
  • Analysis of preclinical data on BET inhibitor efficacy.
  • Summary of ongoing clinical trials for BET inhibitors in ovarian cancer.

Main Results:

  • BET inhibitors attenuate ovarian cancer cell proliferation and dissemination by inhibiting pathways like FOXM1 and JAK/STAT.
  • BET inhibition can re-sensitize cisplatin- and PARP inhibitor-resistant ovarian cancer cells.
  • Preclinical studies, including in vivo animal models, support the efficacy of BET inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • BET proteins represent novel druggable targets for ovarian cancer therapy.
  • Co-administration of BET inhibitors with conventional treatments may enhance antitumor activity.
  • Ongoing Phase I/II clinical trials are crucial for validating these findings.
Keywords:
BET inhibitorsBET proteinsBromodomainEpigenetic treatmentHigh-grade serous carcinomaOvarian cancer

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