Dana Chase, MD, FACOG, gynecologic oncologist, Arizona Oncology, assistant professor,University of Arizona College of Medicine, discusses the importance of utilizing genetic testing for 

Approximately 15% of patients with ovarian cancer harbor an inherited, germline 

mutation, Chase says. Utilizing genetic testing to identify these patients is important because the presence of germline 

 mutations increases the patient’s risk for other types of cancers, such as pancreatic or breast cancers, Chase explains. Moreover, because inherited 

 mutations also put the patient’s family members at risk for ​inheritable cancers, identification of such mutations allows family members to undergo risk-reducing surgery, Chase adds.

Additionally, biomarker-specific treatments are available for patients with ovarian cancer who harbor hereditary mutations. As such, the results of genetic testing could inform treatment selection, Chase concludes.

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Dana Chase, MD, FACOG, gynecologic oncologist, discusses the importance of utilizing genetic testing for BRCA mutations in ovarian cancer. 


Dr. Chase on the Importance of Genetic Testing for BRCA Mutations in Ovarian Cancer

Dana Chase, MD, FACOG, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, and an assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, discusses the importance of utilizing genetic testing to guide treatment decisions for patients with ovarian cancer.

Over the past few years, the frontline treatment of patients with ovarian cancer has changed with the emergence of new options in the armamentarium, according to Chase. Treatment decisions can be made more rapidly, directly after biopsy or surgery, when genetic testing is performed and results are obtained, Chase says.

Utilizing certain biomarkers to guide treatment at diagnosis is a significant shift in the treatment of this population, Chase notes. The exact course of treatment for each patient can vary; however, there are options that can be impactful if they are chosen based on genetic or homologous recombination deficiency testing results, Chase concludes.

Dana Chase, MD, FACOG, discusses the importance of utilizing genetic testing to guide treatment decisions for patients with ovarian cancer.


Dr. Chase on Utilizing Genetic Testing to Guide Treatment Decisions in Ovarian Cancer

Dana Chase, MD, FACOG, assistant professor at the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix and Creighton University at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Arizona Oncology, The US Oncology Network, discusses the safety profile of niraparib (Zejula) as frontline maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer.

The phase III PRIMA (ENGOT-OV26/GOG-3012) study demonstrated a progression-free survival (PFS) benefit with niraparib as frontline maintenance therapy compared with placebo in patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer who responded to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy.

Moreover, 3 analyses presented as part of virtual platform for the SGO 2020 Annual Meeting demonstrated that the improvement in PFS was seen regardless of homologous recombination deficiency status or 

The toxicities noted in the study were similar to those reported with niraparib as maintenance therapy in the recurrent setting, explains Chase. These adverse events include fatigue, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal toxicities, such as nausea and vomiting, Chase concludes.

Dana Chase, MD, FACOG, discusses the safety profile of niraparib as frontline maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer.

Dana Chase, MD, FACOG

Articles

Dr. Chase on the Importance of Genetic Testing for BRCA Mutations in Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Chase on Utilizing Genetic Testing to Guide Treatment Decisions in Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Chase on Toxicities With Niraparib in Ovarian Cancer