Pembrolizumab Significantly Improves Survival in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

A study published April 10 in The Lancet demonstrates that pembrolizumab (Keytruda), an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, significantly improved overall survival in adults with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer when combined with chemotherapy and bevacizumab (Avastin or Zirabev). The international clinical trial was co-authored by Emese Zsiros, Chair of Gynecologic Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Nicoletta Colombo from the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy. The findings represent a meaningful advance for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, which the researchers characterize as a difficult-to-treat patient population with limited therapeutic options.

Pembrolizumab's efficacy in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

• ▪Pembrolizumab is sold under the brand name Keytruda.
• ▪Pembrolizumab improved overall survival in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer when combined with chemotherapy and bevacizumab.
• ▪Pembrolizumab is an anti-PD-1 immunotherapy.
• ▪Bevacizumab is sold under the brand names Avastin or Zirabev.
• ▪Pembrolizumab significantly improved overall survival in adults with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer when given as part of a chemotherapy/immunotherapy combination.

Clinical trial design and research leadership

• ▪Nicoletta Colombo is affiliated with the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy.
• ▪The pembrolizumab platinum-resistant ovarian cancer study was an international clinical trial.
• ▪A study on pembrolizumab in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer was published April 10 in The Lancet.
• ▪Emese Zsiros is Chair of Gynecologic Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
• ▪Emese Zsiros served as co-first author of the pembrolizumab platinum-resistant ovarian cancer study published in The Lancet.

Perspective of Emese Zsiros and Nicoletta Colombo (study authors)

• ▪Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer represents a difficult-to-treat patient population.

Perspective of Patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

• ▪Adults with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer have access to a chemotherapy/immunotherapy combination treatment that significantly improves overall survival.

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