Ovarian cancer is not the most common but is often detected late after years of silent development. Surgery is the first treatment for these cancers, but when it is not possible, doctors fall back on drugs. A new remedy, tested within the framework of a clinical trial in the United States and in England, makes it possible to significantly slow down the evolution of the tumour.
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Every year, February 4 is dedicated to the International Day Against Cancer. This is an opportunity to recall that, whatever its nature, cancer kills more than nine million people each year worldwide, and approximately 150,000 in France. First cause of premature death, many researches are carried out by scientists to understand cancer, but also to treat it. Discoveries and progress are made every day to improve patient care and their prognosis vital.
Among the multitude of studies in progress, there are a recently published about cancer treatment ovaries. It’s not most common in women — the breast cancer occupies this place, but it is often detected when the disease is already well developed, which can complicate its management. The first intention is always the surgery, but in some cases it is not feasible. Doctors can then suggest a chemotherapy to the patient.
Trametinib for treating ovarian cancer
The study in question is a phase 2/3 clinical trial testing an alternative to molecules references for the treatment of a specific form of ovarian cancer: low-grade serous carcinoma. This type of tumor belongs to the family of so-called epithelial tumors which represent almost all ovarian cancer. It is usually diagnosed in women over the age of 50.
The treatment of chemotherapy standard for low-grade serous carcinoma includes five drugs, some taken by mouth, some taken intravenously. One or more molecules can be prescribed depending on the case. The alternative on the testbed is trametinib, an inhibitor of a dysregulated cell signaling pathway in cancer cells. The scientists observed its benefit, in comparison with the administration of one of the standard treatment drugs, on progression-free survival, i.e. the duration during which the disease does not worsen.
In this context, the cases of 130 women treated with trametinib were compared with those of 130 others treated conventionally. They were followed for more than two years during which the doctors evaluated the progression of the ovarian tumor every eight weeks for the first fifteen months, then every three months until the end of the follow-up. In the trametinib group, 78% of women experienced a progression-free survival period; 89% in the other group. But, in the trametinib group, this period is longer: 13 months against 7.2 months.
The administration of trametinib, like that of other molecules, is associated with a range ofSide effects which includes: rash, anemia, hypertension, vomiting and fatigue. Abdominal pain, anemia, nausea and vomiting for standard treatment.
A risk of progression and death reduced by half
In both cases, the treatments tested make it possible to pause the growth of the tumor, without eradicating it. A few months after the end of the follow-up, 43% of the participants unfortunately died as a result of their cancer. Overall survival for the trametinib group is estimated at 37.6 months, versus 29.2 months for the second group.
” Our test is the first randomized trial positive, all therapies combined, in low-grade serous carcinoma showing that trametinib reduced the risk of disease progression or death by 52% compared to the investigator’s choice of a hormone therapy or chemotherapy “, write the authors in the scientific publication. With these promising results, trametinib could soon become a reference treatment for treating women with low-grade serous carcinoma.
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