Use of Targeted Therapeutics in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Review of Current Literature and Future Directions

Purpose: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer death in the United States. Most patients will ultimately fail platinum-based chemotherapy and have the disease recur. Interest is increasing in the use of targeted therapies in the treatment of EOC. This review focuses on the current use of targeted therapeutics in EOC as well as future directions.

Methods: A literature search of Medline and PubMed was conducted (January 2000-October 2017) to identify recent reports of targeted drugs in EOC.

Findings: A wide range of targeted therapeutics is currently being used as both monotherapy and in combination in the treatment of EOC. Clinically, the most commonly used classes of drugs currently are antiangiogenics and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. However, a number of drugs in varying stages in development target a wide range of biochemical pathways. Activity and response rates of these drugs vary greatly. Questions continue about combination drug therapy and appropriate patient selection.

Implications: The use of targeted therapeutics in the treatment of EOC, both as monotherapy and in combination, will continue to expand as more mechanisms of tumorigenesis are identified. Multiple clinical trials of a wide range of targeted therapeutics are currently ongoing. Evidence-based selection of drug targets and appropriate patient populations will allow strategic application of targeted therapeutics.