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Study looks at combination treatment for ovarian cancer

Marshfield Clinic researchers are participating in a cancer research study that may provide another treatment option for women with recurring ovarian cancer. The study looks at the effectiveness of combining two drugs for treatment compared with the standard-of-care chemotherapy.

Ovarian cancer accounts for about 3 percent of cancers among women and ranks second among gynecologic cancers. Ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system.

Marshfield Clinic is the only medical facility in Wisconsin and one of 25 across the country taking part in the Assessment of Survival in Solid Tumors-3 (ASSIST-3). This clinical trial evaluates the combining of TELCYTA™ (TLK286), a cancer-activated targeted chemotherapy, with carboplatin, a standard approved chemotherapy.

Marshfield Clinic centers in Marshfield, Wausau, Chippewa Falls, Rice Lake, Minocqua, Wisconsin Rapids and Eau Claire have enrolled patients in the ASSIST-3 trial.

Patients with ovarian cancer receive either the combination of TELCYTA and carboplatin, a type of platinum-based chemotherapy that has been approved for treating ovarian cancer for 15 years; or Doxil®, a standard-of-care therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer.

“This combination is being studied to determine if it shrinks tumors in women with ovarian cancer that recurs after treatment with standard platinum-based chemotherapy,” said Anthony Evans, M.D., Ph.D., a gynecologic oncologist at Marshfield Clinic.

The ASSIST-3 trial is a phase 3 study, expanding on findings of previous studies of TELCYTA in ovarian cancer. TELCYTA has been given to more than 600 cancer patients in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. In the ASSIST-3 trial, TELCYTA is combined with carboplatin.

“We are enrolling women in the study who have recurrent ovarian cancer,” added Dr. Evans. “These patients often are seeking new options for treatment.”

Patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who have previously received one regimen of platinum-based chemotherapy may be eligible to participate in the study. For more information on the ASSIST-3 trial call Marshfield Clinic at 1-877-438-1711.

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