Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages because early symptoms are vague and no reliable screening test exists. Treatment typically involves surgery and chemotherapy, and while many people respond well at first, the cancer often returns. Researchers are working on targeted drugs, immunotherapies, and ways to catch the disease earlier.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing PARP inhibitors for maintenance therapy after chemotherapy, immunotherapy combinations to help the immune system fight the cancer, antibody-drug conjugates that deliver chemotherapy directly to tumor cells, and new targeted drugs for specific mutations. Researchers are also studying ways to detect ovarian cancer earlier through blood tests and imaging.
PARP inhibitors
These pills block a repair system that cancer cells use to survive. Olaparib, niraparib, and rucaparib are FDA-approved for certain types of ovarian cancer, and trials are testing them in new combinations and earlier in treatment.
Antibody-drug conjugates
These drugs attach chemotherapy to an antibody that seeks out cancer cells, delivering treatment more precisely. Mirvetuximab soravtansine was FDA-approved in 2022 for certain ovarian cancers with folate receptor alpha.
Immunotherapy combinations
Ovarian cancer doesn't respond well to immunotherapy alone, so trials are testing checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors, or drugs that change the tumor environment to make it more vulnerable.
What to know before you search
Eligibility often depends on cancer stage, prior treatments, whether the cancer is platinum-sensitive or resistant, and biomarker testing such as BRCA or HRD status.
What types of trials are currently open
- Maintenance therapy trials — Testing drugs taken after chemotherapy to delay or prevent the cancer from returning. Many involve PARP inhibitors or other targeted pills.
- Combination therapy trials — Testing new drugs added to standard chemotherapy, or combinations of targeted drugs, to see if they work better together.
- Recurrent disease trials — Testing treatments for ovarian cancer that has returned after prior therapy, often focusing on platinum-resistant disease.
- Biomarker-selected trials — Testing drugs for people whose tumors have specific mutations or features, such as BRCA mutations or high homologous recombination deficiency.
- Early detection studies — Testing blood tests, imaging, or combinations of both to find ovarian cancer earlier, when treatment is more likely to work.
Recently added Ovarian Cancer trials
Efficacy of Ovarian Drilling Via vNOTES Laparoscopy in Patients With PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition among young women (the leading endocrine disorder) and is responsible for 70% of anovulatory infertility cases. Clinically, it has been defined since 2003 by the Rotterdam criteria, according to the French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. PCOS represents a significant challenge in reproductive medicine, as it is associated with infertility rates ranging from 20% to 74%. Ovarian stimulation is the first-line treatment for PCOS, as no etiological treatment is available. The first-line pharmacological treatment is Clomiphene Citrate. In cases where Clomiphene Citrate fails, the second-line treatment is ovarian drilling. Traditionally, ovarian drilling was performed via laparoscopy or fertiloscopy. Fertiloscopy had the advantage of being quicker and scarless for patients, with reported failure and conversion rates to laparoscopy of 10% to 20% depending on the studies. However, fertiloscopy is no longer practiced due to the discontinuation of the device. With the advent of vNOTES laparoscopy (Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery) in the 2010s for benign gynecological conditions, the possibility of a new vaginal approach for ovarian drilling is now being considered. The Primary Objective is to Evaluate the efficacy of ovarian drilling via vNOTES laparoscopy in terms of resumption of spontaneous ovulatory cycles in PCOS patients requiring surgical treatment. Study Type: Single-center, randomized, controlled, two-arm, proof-of-concept study. Number of Centers: 1 Study Description: During the gynecology consultation, if an indication for ovarian drilling is established, the patient will be invited to participate in the study protocol. The study information sheet, detailing the study procedures and objectives, along with the consent form, will be provided to the patient. A second consultation with the investigator will be scheduled to address any questions following a reflection period. If the patient consents, both she and the investigator will sign the consent form. Randomization will be conducted using REDCap® software. The patient will then be assigned to either the vNOTES group or the laparoscopy group. Surgery will be performed by surgeons designated as "experts" in the respective surgical approach. The procedure will follow the standard techniques of the department. Ovulatory cycle resumption will be assessed 6 months postoperatively during a follow-up consultation.
A Phase I Dose Escalation Study of CG-7321 Monotherapy or Combination Therapy in Advanced Solid Tumors
This is a Phase I, open-label, multi-center study to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and preliminary efficacy of CG-7321 capsules as monotherapy or in combination with fulvestrant or letrozole in subjects with advanced solid tumors. The study consists of: * Part Ia (Monotherapy): Dose escalation (accelerated titration followed by 3+3 design) from 2mg to 50mg twice daily (BID), plus dose expansion cohorts in advanced solid tumors including HR+/HER2- breast cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, and other tumor types. * Part Ib (Combination Therapy): Dose escalation of CG-7321 combined with fulvestrant or letrozole in HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer.
Find Ovarian Cancer trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.