Ovarian Cancer
Clinical Trials Examine Effectiveness of Targeted Therapies
Patients at the University of Virginia Health System’s National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center benefit from extensive clinical trials for treatments for all forms of cancer, including multiple trials for gynecologic cancer. The trials
are part of the comprehensive care for gynecologic cancers available at UVA’s Cancer Center, where a nationally recognized multidisciplinary Gynecologic Care team – including gynecologists, oncologists, surgeons and pathologists – meet weekly to discuss cases and formulate individualized treatment plans.
Two trials for the treatment of ovarian or peritoneal cancer are now enrolling volunteers at UVA. Here is a look at the two trials.
- Phase III drug trial (HIC# 12112): This randomized, multicenter Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) trial is comparing the effectiveness of the standard chemotherapy regimen of carboplatin and paclitaxel to an investigational treatment that adds a targeted antibody, bevacizumab, to the standard regimen. Bevacizumab is intended to prevent angiogenesis in women with advanced ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal cancer after their original surgery, says Susan Modesitt, M.D., a gynecologic oncologist and the study’s primary investigator at UVA. Treatment will last 15 months. Volunteers then return for blood tests, scans and office visits every three months for two years and every six months after the initial follow-up period.
General inclusion criteria: Women who have just been diagnosed as having Stage III or IV ovarian or peritoneal cancer and undergone initial surgery but have not received chemotherapy.
- Phase II drug trial (HIC# 13813): This multicenter GOG trial examines the effectiveness of dasatinib in treating women with recurrent ovarian, peritoneal or fallopian tube cancer who are resistant to platinum chemotherapy, says Modesitt, the study’s primary investigator at UVA. Volunteer receive dasatinib orally once a day for 28 days, with the treatment course repeating every 28 days as long as the cancer does not progress and the patient does not experience unacceptably high toxicity levels. Patients return for follow-up visits every three months for two years, then every six months for three years.
General inclusion criteria: Women with recurrent ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer who have already received platinum chemotherapy with progression.
To refer a patient to one of these clinical trials, call UVA Physician Direct at 800.552.3723.
