Focus on Trabectedin in Ovarian Cancer: What Do We Still Need to Know?

Abstract

In the era of single and combination maintenance therapies as well as platinum and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) resistance, the choice of subsequent treatments following first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) patients has become increasingly complex. Within the ovarian cancer treatment algorithm, particularly in the emerging context of PARPi resistance, the role of trabectedin, in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) still preserves its significance. This paper offers valuable insights into the multifaceted role and mechanism of action of trabectedin in ROC. The main results of clinical trials and studies involving trabectedin/PLD, along with hints of Breast Cancer genes (BRCA)-mutated and BRCAness phenotype cases, are critically discussed. Moreover, this review provides and contextualizes potential scenarios of administering trabectedin in combination with PLD in ROC, according to established guidelines and beyond.

Keywords:

• ovarian cancer
• trabectedin
• platinum eligibility

Disclosure

SMB reports honoraria from GSK and Pharmamar.

CMS reports honoraria from GSK, AstraZeneca.

LV reports honoraria from GSK, Pharmamar, AstraZeneca.

AF reports commercial interests with AstraZeneca, MSD, Johnson & Johnson and Pharmamar, was a speaker for Fondazione Internazionale Menarini and GlaxoSmithKline.

GS reports research support from AstraZeneca and MSD and honoraria from Clovis Oncology, and is a consultant for GSK, Tesaro and Johnson & Johnson.

CM is on the consultant/advisory board for Clovis, Pharmamar, GSK, AstraZeneca and MSD, and received travel accommodation from Pharmamar and Roche.

The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.