After numerous failed trials suggested immunotherapy was ineffective in ovarian cancer, the KEYNOTE B96 study marks a turning point. Combining pembrolizumab with chemotherapy showed statistically significant improvements in both progression-free and overall survival in platinum-resistant patients, reviving the entire therapeutic class for this disease.

Experts are cautious about using ADCs as long-term frontline maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer. Unlike oral PARPs, prolonged administration of these potent chemotherapies could cause cumulative toxicities, especially bone marrow suppression, potentially rendering patients unable to tolerate essential treatments upon relapse.

Citing powerful long-term data from the SOFT and TEXT trials, some oncologists are leaning away from chemotherapy for premenopausal patients with intermediate Oncotype scores (e.g., <25). They argue that the substantial, proven benefits of ovarian function suppression (OFS) may be equivalent to the chemotherapy benefit seen in trials like TAILORx.

Even patients with "low-risk" advanced ovarian cancer face an 85% chance of recurrence. This high baseline risk justifies aggressive upfront combination therapies, like adding bevacizumab, to maximize the potential for a curative outcome without leaving any options off the table.

A new wave of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is transforming ovarian cancer treatment. These 'heat-seeking missiles' deliver potent chemotherapy payloads directly to tumor cells, achieving response rates from 23% to over 60% in biomarker-selected populations. This far surpasses the efficacy of conventional chemotherapy in resistant settings.

Unlike many cancers, younger patients (in their 20s-30s) with low-grade serous ovarian cancer have a worse prognosis than older patients. This is because they are less likely to carry a KRAS mutation, making them less responsive to highly effective targeted therapies.

Achieving remission in ovarian cancer is common, but it's often not sustainable. The strategic use of maintenance therapies, like oral PARP inhibitors, is essential to prolonging the cancer-free period and is a central focus of modern treatment.

While the Lidera trial showed a benefit for the oral SERD giredestrant in the adjuvant setting, experts advise caution before changing practice. The trial's control arm (standard endocrine therapy) does not reflect the current standard of care for high-risk patients, which now includes CDK4/6 inhibitors, making a direct comparison difficult.

In low-grade, recurrent endometrial cancer, patients who show stable or progressive disease on chemotherapy can surprisingly respond to hormonal therapies like progesterone. Although the response may be slow, it highlights an important, potentially overlooked option for this specific patient population.