Ovarian Cancer: Targeted Therapy

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment. It uses medicines made to focus on parts of cancer cells that make them different from normal, healthy cells. For instance, they might affect certain genes or proteins that help the cancer cells grow and spread. Because of this targeting, these medicines attack cancer cells but cause less damage to normal cells.

When might targeted therapy be used for ovarian cancer?

Targeted therapy is used to treat advanced ovarian cancer. It may also be used for ovarian cancer that has come back.

Targeted therapy may be used by itself. Or it may be used with other treatments, such as chemotherapy. In some cases, it may be used as maintenance therapy. This means it helps prevent the cancer from coming back after other treatments have been used.

How is targeted therapy given for ovarian cancer?

Targeted therapy involves taking certain medicines over a period of time. How long and which medicines you take depends on several things. These include the type of cancer you have, its stage, and your overall health.

Some targeted therapy medicines are given through an IV. You may need to go to an outpatient facility or your healthcare provider’s office for treatment. Other medicines you may take by mouth.

What types of targeted therapy medicines are used to treat ovarian cancer?

Several types of targeted therapy medicines may be used for ovarian cancer. They all target the cancer cells. But they work in different ways. These medicines are:

• Angiogenesis inhibitors. These medicines stop new blood vessels from forming in cancer cells. As a result, the cancer cells can’t grow. An example of this type of medicine is bevacizumab.

• Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARP inhibitors). These work by blocking a cancer cell’s ability to repair its DNA. By doing so, the cell dies. These medicines include olaparib, rucaparib, and niraparib.

• Medicines that target the NTRK gene . Rarely, the NTRK gene may play a role in ovarian cancer. In these cases, the medicines larotrectinib and entrectinib may help. They block proteins made by the NTRK gene.

What are common side effects of targeted therapy?

Targeted therapy may cause some side effects. But how you will feel from the treatment depends on many things, such as:

• The types of medicines you get

• The dose of those medicines

• Your overall health before treatment

The most common side effects from targeted therapy are diarrhea and fatigue. But you may also have:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Mouth sores

• Skin, nail, and hair changes

• Muscle and joint pain

• Bleeding

• Problems with wound healing

• High blood pressure

• Lung problems

• Liver problems

• Hole (perforation) in the colon (rare)

• Fistula (abnormal connection) in the bowel (rare)

Certain medicines can help prevent some of these side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your reaction to targeted therapy.

Working with your healthcare provider

It's important to know which medicines you're taking. Write down the names of all your medicines. Ask your healthcare team how they work and what side effects they might cause.

Talk with your healthcare providers about what changes you should look for and when to call them. Make sure you know what number to call with questions or problems. You may need to call a different number for evenings and weekends.

It may be helpful to keep a diary of your side effects. Write down physical, thinking, and emotional changes. A written list will make it easier for you to remember your questions when you go to your appointments. It will also make it easier for you to work with your healthcare team in managing your side effects.