Immunotherapy improves prognosis for women with recurrent ovarian cancer in clinical trial

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Devon Herzoff
312-558-1770
dherzoff@pcipr.com

HONOLULU (March 16, 2019) ? Results from a recent clinical trial show that a new immunotherapy treatment, when added to standard chemotherapy, significantly prolongs survival in women with recurrent ovarian cancer.

The randomized phase II trial compared overall survival of women who received chemotherapy with and without immunotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer. Women treated with a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy experienced significantly prolonged survival.

The treatment is referred to as dendritic cell-based immunotherapy. It uses the patient’s own immune system to combat cancer and offers long-lasting antitumor immunity. Immunotherapies are one of the newest and most promising treatments for ovarian cancer, which typically is diagnosed at a later stage and subsequently harder to treat.

David Cibula, MD, PhD, a physician with Gynecologic Oncology Centre, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, presented the results today at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer.

The most important objective of cancer treatment, said Dr. Cibula, is to prolong overall survival while maintaining a good quality of life during treatment. A major advantage of this immunotherapy, he added, is “an excellent safety profile and tolerance by patients thanks to an almost absence of any toxicity.”

This study is a result of many years of research in the field of active cellular immunotherapy conducted by scientists at the Second Faculty of Medicine at Charles University and the Motol University Hospital, both in Prague, and, later, by the study sponsor, biotechnology company SOTIO.

Said Cibula, “There are currently not many other alternatives in clinical development with such promising results.”

A larger phase III clinical trial is planned for 2019.

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The Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) is the premier medical specialty society for health care professionals trained in the comprehensive management of gynecologic cancers. As a 501(c)(6) organization, the SGO contributes to the advancement of women’s cancer care by encouraging research, providing education, raising standards of practice, advocating for patients and members and collaborating with other domestic and international organizations. www.sgo.org.