Targeted therapy drugs can target specific features of cancer cells to stop the cancer growing and spreading. These drugs are used to treat advanced ovarian cancer or ovarian cancer that has come back (recurred).
Learn more about:
- When will targeted therapy be offered?
- Types of targeted therapy drugs
- Side effects of targeted therapy
- Video: What is targeted therapy?
- Podcast: What are targeted therapy and immunotherapy?
When will targeted therapy be offered?
Whether you are offered targeted therapy drugs will depend on the following:
- the type of ovarian cancer you have
- other treatments you’ve already had and if they’ve worked
- whether you have a particular gene change that may respond to targeted therapy drugs.
Types of targeted therapy drugs
Olaparib and niraparib
These targeted therapy drugs are used to treat people with high-grade epithelial cancer who have changes in the BRCA genes or other genes related to ovarian cancer.
You may be offered olaparib or niraparib after initial chemotherapy. This is known as maintenance treatment. Or you may have olaparib or niraparib if the cancer has come back (recurred). Olaparib is taken as a tablet twice a day and niraparib is taken as a tablet once a day for as long as they appear to be helping control the cancer.
Bevacizumab
This targeted therapy drug is sometimes used to treat advanced epithelial tumours. It is given with chemotherapy every 3 weeks as a drip into a vein (intravenous infusion). Treatment will continue for about 12 months if used as part of the initial treatment, or for as long as it’s working if it is used for cancer that has come back.
Other targeted therapy drugs may be available in clinical trials. Talk with your doctor about what new drugs are available and whether you are a suitable candidate.
Side effects of targeted therapy
Although targeted therapy drugs limit damage to healthy cells, they can still have side effects. These vary for each person depending on the drug you are given and how your body responds.
It is important to tell your doctor about any new or worsening side effects. If left untreated, some can become life-threatening. Your doctor will monitor you throughout your treatment.
- The most common side effects of olaparib and niraparib include nausea, fatigue, diarrhoea and low blood cell counts. More serious side effects include bone marrow problems.
- The most common side effects of bevacizumab include bleeding, skin rash, high blood pressure and kidney problems. In very rare cases, small tears (perforations) may develop in the bowel or stomach wall.
For more on this, see our general section on Targeted therapy.
Immunotherapy for ovarian cancer
Immunotherapy is a type of drug treatment that uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
In Australia, immunotherapy drugs are currently available as treatment options for some types of cancer, such as melanoma and lung cancer.
At present, immunotherapy has not been proven to help treat ovarian cancer. International clinical trials are continuing to test immunotherapy drugs for treating ovarian cancer.
You can ask your treatment team for the latest updates.
For more on this, see our general section on Immunotherapy.
→ READ MORE: Radiation therapy for ovarian cancer
Video: What is targeted therapy?
If you have cancer, drug therapy may play a big role in your treatment plan. Watch this short video to learn more about drug therapies, including targeted and immunotherapy.
Podcast: Immunotherapy & Targeted Therapy
More resources
Dr Antonia Jones, Gynaecological Oncologist, The Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, VIC; Dr George Au-Yeung, Medical Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Centre, VIC; Dr David Chang, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Prof Anna DeFazio AM, Sydney West Chair of Translational Cancer Research, The University of Sydney, Director, Centre for Cancer Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research and Director, Sydney Cancer Partners, NSW; Ian Dennis. Consumer (Carer); A/Prof Simon Hyde, Head of Gynaecological Oncology, Mercy Hospital for Women, VIC; Carmel McCarthy, Consumer; Quintina Reyes, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Deb Roffe, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA.
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