Dr. Lai on the Role of Maintenance Therapy and Secondary Cytoreduction in Ovarian Cancer

Tiffany S. Lai, MD, gynecologic oncologist, University of California, Los Angeles, Health, discusses the role of maintenance therapy and secondary cytoreduction in ovarian cancer.

Although the data are inconclusive, it appears that patients with ovarian cancer who derive a prolonged progression-free survival (PFS) with maintenance therapy may not benefit from secondary cytoreductive surgery, Lai explains.

Most patients included in the clinical trials evaluating the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery had platinum-sensitive disease and were good candidates for maintenance therapy with bevacizumab (Avastin) or PARP inhibitors, Lai explains. In that setting, maintenance therapy can significantly prolong PFS for patients. However, secondary cytoreductive surgery for patients with recurrent, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer may not extend PFS further.

As such, more research is required to determine the optimal role of secondary cytoreductive surgery in this patient population, Lai concludes.