Unfortunately, recurrent ovarian cancer can be difficult to treat and often comes with a poor prognosis. However, according to a news release from biopharmaceutical company IMV Inc. (“IMV”), the company saw promising results from the Phase 2 DeCidE1 clinical trial. During the trial, researchers evaluated maveropepimut-S (MVP-S) for patients with advanced recurrent ovarian cancer. Ultimately, the researchers found the treatment to be safe and relatively well-tolerated, while showing patient benefits such as improved overall survival rate.
MVP-S
So what is MVP-S? According to IMV, MVP-S, used in conjunction with oral low-dose cyclophosphamide (CPA), is a type of immunotherapy which helps produce cancer-targeting T cells in vivo (in the body). As IMV explains:
The protein surviving is found in more than 15 types of solid tumor and hematologic cancers…and plays a critical role in tumor biology as it is associated with tumor cell differentiation, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. We believe [MVP-S]’ ability to deliver a sustained flow of T cells that target surviving…can lead to more clinically effective anti-tumor therapies.
Researchers evaluated this treatment option within the Phase 2 DeCidE1 clinical trial. Altogether, 22 patients enrolled. These patients not only had advanced recurrent ovarian cancer but were either sensitive or resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy treatments. In fact, a majority of patients (57.9%) were resistant to platinum-based therapies. During the trial, patients received 2 doses of subcutaneously administered MVP-3 within a 6-week period, followed by one dose every 8 weeks. Additionally, patients received low-dose CPA treatment every other week (1 week on/off). Findings included:
- Treatment with MVP-S prompted an overall survival (OS) rate of 44.9% within the 24~ month (2-year) follow-up period.
- At the same time, the median OS rate was around 19.9 months (1 year, 7.9 months).
- Tumor biopsies highlighted how MVP-S helped generate a higher amount of cancer-targeting T cells.
Ovarian Cancer
As the name suggests, ovarian cancer begins in the ovary, one of two almond-shaped organs found in females. The ovaries produce hormones (estrogen, progesterone) and store eggs until they are released. Ovarian cancer may be considered small cell carcinoma of the ovary (SCCO), a rare and malignant form; stromal carcinoma tumors, forming in the ovaries’ connective tissues; epithelial tumors, forming in the epithelium (thin tissue); or germ cell carcinoma tumors, which form in the eggs. Without treatment, ovarian cancer can spread to other areas of the body, such as the abdominal lining or liver. Although doctors do not know what causes all ovarian cancer, those with BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations may increase the risk. For example, women with mutated BRCA genes are 10-30x more likely to develop ovarian cancer. Symptoms include:
- Appetite loss
- Changes in urinary urgency or frequency
- Pelvic pain
- Abnormal uterine bleeding or vaginal discharge/bleeding
- Bloating
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Unintended weight loss
- Menstrual irregularities
- Abdominal swelling or increased girth/mass
- Breast tenderness
- Increased testosterone levels
- Endometrial hyperplasia
Learn more about ovarian cancer.
