Immunotherapy May Improve Tumor Sensitivity to Palliative Chemotherapy in Platinum Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the second most common gynecologic cancer in the US and ranks among the top 10 causes of female cancer-related deaths. Platinum-resistant disease carries a particularly poor prognosis and leaves patients with limited remaining therapeutic options. Patients with platinum-resistant disease have significantly lower response rates to additional chemotherapy, with estimates as low as 10%-25%. We hypothesize that in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, treatment with immunotherapy followed by cytotoxic chemotherapy with antiangiogenic therapy results in prolonged survival without compromising quality of life. Our experience of 3 patients with recurrent, metastatic platinum-resistant ovarian cancer treated with immunotherapy followed by anti-angiogenic treatment plus chemotherapy resulted in progression-free survival durations significantly above previously published averages. Further studies evaluating the role of immunotherapy followed by chemotherapy in combination with drugs targeting angiogenesis are needed and may provide a long-sought after breakthrough for advancing survival in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.