The Case of the Belated BRCA Test

Eighteen months after completing surgical debulking and chemotherapy for stage III high-grade serous ovarian cancer, 56-year-old Lily experienced a rising CA-125 level. At her oncologist’s recommendation, Lily started an aromatase inhibitor, but it did not stop the rising tumor marker. After she began experiencing symptoms of bloating and mild abdominal pain, Lily and her oncologist decided to proceed with second-line chemotherapy. As she left the office, Lily remarked that she did not complete genetic testing when she was originally diagnosed because she does not have any children or a family history of ovarian cancer and she was concerned that her insurance would not cover the testing.

April 16, 2019

Research

Recent NSAID Use May Improve Ovarian Cancer Survival

Researchers have found that use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) after diagnosis appears to improve survival for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. The study results were published in Lancet Oncology.

November 14, 2018

Genetics & genomics

BRCA Mutations Point to Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

Although all cancers have a genetic basis, a subset result from an inherited (i.e., germline) mutation that puts a person at increased risk for certain cancers. Unfortunately, the signs of hereditary cancer are often overlooked or misunderstood. Here’s what oncology nurses need to know about BRCA mutations, one of the more common mutations you’ll see in practice.

May 24, 2018

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA Approves Rucaparib for Treatment of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

On April 6, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved rucaparib, a poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor, for the maintenance treatment of recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

April 06, 2018

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA Approves Olaparib Tablets for Maintenance Treatment in Ovarian Cancer

On August 17, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted regular approval to olaparib tablets for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, who are in a complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

August 17, 2017

ASCO Annual Meeting

Olaparib Does Not Decrease Quality-of-Life in Patients With Ovarian Cancer

Patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed (PSR) serous ovarian cancer (SOC) have poor survival outcomes, with the median progression-free survival (PFS) after chemotherapy less than six months in many patients. Based on results from the SOLO2 study that found that maintenance olaparib after response to chemotherapy resulted in a significant improvement in PFS compared to placebo (median PFS = 19.1 versus 5.5 months) in patients with germline BRCA mutation PSR SOC (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.22–0.41; p < 0.0001), researchers assessed the impact of health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL). The researchers presented the study at the ASCO Annual Meeting.

June 02, 2017

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA Approves Niraparib for Recurrent Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

On March 27, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved niraparib, a poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

March 28, 2017

Ovarian cancer

FDA Approves Rucaparib for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

On December 19, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to rucaparib (RUBRACA™, Clovis Oncology Inc.) for treatment of patients with deleterious BRCA mutation (germline and/or somatic) associated advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies.

December 19, 2016

Cancer screening

FDA Recommends Against Ovarian Cancer Screening Tests

On September 7, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert for women about the risks involved with ovarian cancer screening tests. According to the FDA, no current screening test is sensitive enough to identify ovarian cancer without inaccurate results. As such, the FDA is concerned that patients and physicians might be misled by these results and make unnecessary treatment decisions.

September 08, 2016

Oncology drug research

Maintenance Treatment May Prolong Progression-Free Survival in Ovarian Cancer

Although response rates to chemotherapy are high, 90% of ovarian cancers will recur within two years. A new drug called niraparib is under investigation as maintenance treatment between cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy, and findings from phase III trials have shown promise.

August 23, 2016

Ovarian cancer

BeBRCAware

ONS Strategic Sponsor Approximately 15 percent of woman with ovarian cancer have a BRCA mutation and every year, many patients with ovarian cancer are not tested for a BRCA mutation. Family history and age are poor predictors of BRCA status in ovarian cancer patients, which is why it is so important for all women with ovarian cancer to be tested. BeBRCAware is a movement to raise awareness about the importance of genetic testing for a BRCA mutation in ovarian cancer.

July 07, 2016