Promising new developments in the systemic treatment of ovarian cancer

Advanced-stage cancer of the ovary is the most lethal of gynecologic malignancies, affecting African-American and white women with approximately equal frequency. In large part, ovarian cancer's lethality is due to the fact that most women are diagnosed with disease that is widespread throughout the abdomen and pelvis. This article reviews recent developments in the identification of new treatment approaches to ovarian cancer. Discussion focuses on current drug development activities of the Medical Ovarian Cancer Section of the National Cancer Institute, with reference to pertinent literature from other institutions. The drugs discussed are in clinical trials as of this writing. They include paclitaxel, an agent with a novel molecular mechanism of action; colony-stimulating factors, which enhance the therapeutic index of cytotoxic agents; and the antiproliferative agents suramin and carboxyamidotriazole.