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A brief review of the management of platinum-resistant–platinum-refractory ovarian cancer

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Abstract

Ovarian cancer, which ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common histologic type, with the 5-year survival for all stages estimated at 45.6%. This rate increases to more than 70% in the minority of patients who are diagnosed at an early stage, but declines to 35% in the vast majority of patients diagnosed at advanced stage. Recurrent EOC is incurable. Platinum sensitivity (or lack thereof) is a major determinant of prognosis. The current standard treatment is primary surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. In recurrent platinum-resistant/platinum-refractory EOC, sequential single-agent salvage chemotherapy is superior to multiagent chemotherapy. Multiagent regimens increase toxicity without clear benefit; however, no preferred sequence of single agents is recommended. The impact of targeted therapies and immunotherapies on progression-free survival and overall survival, which remains dismal, is under active investigation. Currently, clinical trials offer the best hope for the development of a new treatment paradigm in this recalcitrant disease.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank and acknowledge Dr. Harry Lybeck, possibly the world’s longest living academic professor and physician, currently 98 years old (and counting), for his contributions to this manuscript. Having earned his M.D. and Ph.D. while serving in WWII, Dr. Lybeck climbed to the top of the academic hill but is far from over it. With 70 years of medical experience, Dr. Lybeck is the epitome of a caring, compassionate physician who prioritizes others over himself.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. EpicentRx Inc, 4445 Eastgate Mall, Suite 200, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA

    Bryan Oronsky

  2. Saint Francis Medical Group, Hartford, CT, USA

    Carolyn M. Ray

  3. Virginia Cancer Specialists, Fairfax, VA, USA

    Alexander I. Spira

  4. Developmental Therapeutics Branch NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Jane B. Trepel

  5. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Corey A. Carter

  6. Baptist Health Medical Group, Gynecologic Oncology, Lexington, KY, USA

    Hope M. Cottrill

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  1. Bryan Oronsky
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Correspondence to Bryan Oronsky.

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Oronsky, B., Ray, C.M., Spira, A.I. et al. A brief review of the management of platinum-resistant–platinum-refractory ovarian cancer. Med Oncol 34, 103 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-017-0960-z

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