You are currently browsing the monthly archive for December 2008.
Researchers from cancer centers in the US and Europe have discovered a promising drug-MORAb-003- for treating women with epithelial ovarian cancer. More than 90% of epithelial ovarian tumors overexpress folate receptor alpha (FRA), which plays a role in tumor growth. MORAb-003, a targeted treatment, works by blocking FRA. Unlike chemotherapy, targeted treatments attack specific molecules and cell mechamisms thought to be important for cancer cell survival and growth. This specific targeting helps to spare healthy tissues and causes less severe side effects. Based on these promising early results, additional clinical trials of MORAb-003 with chemotherapy are planned.
There are few effective treatment options for women with ovarian cancer that no longer responds to initial treatments. However, doctors from the Nordic Society of GYN Oncology are studying a few new treatments that may offer hope to these women. The data in their clinical trial showed that adding tamoxifen (Nolvadex and others), which is a hormone treatment, to chemotherapy gave slightly better results. Tamoxifen is a worthwhile option for women with resistant ovarian cancer.
