What medications are typically used after initial chemotherapy for stage 3C high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC)?
After completing initial chemotherapy for stage 3C HGSOC, there are several treatment options that doctors may recommend to help keep the cancer from returning or to target remaining cancer cells.
Here are the Show Full Answer
What medications are typically used after initial chemotherapy for stage 3C high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC)?
After completing initial chemotherapy for stage 3C HGSOC, there are several treatment options that doctors may recommend to help keep the cancer from returning or to target remaining cancer cells.
Here are the main medication options:
- PARP inhibitors (like olaparib or rucaparib) — these are especially recommended for people with BRCA gene mutations. They work by preventing cancer cells from repairing their damaged DNA, which causes the cells to die
- Bevacizumab (Avastin) — a targeted therapy that cuts off the blood supply tumors need to grow. It can be given alongside chemotherapy and sometimes continued afterward
- Antibody-drug conjugates — a newer type of targeted therapy that delivers treatment directly to cancer cells The right medication plan will depend on factors like whether a BRCA mutation is present and how well the cancer responded to chemotherapy. It's always worth having a detailed conversation with an oncologist about which maintenance therapy makes the most sense for a specific situation.
July 19