Dr. Coleman on the VELIA Trial Impact on Ovarian Cancer Practice

Robert L. Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS, professor and Ann Rife Cox Chair in Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the impact of the VELIA trial on ovarian cancer practice.

The VELIA trial reinforces the idea that adding veliparib to chemotherapy in patients with a germline or somatic BRCA1/2 mutations at diagnosis is positive for patients with ovarian cancer, explains Coleman. Further, using this drug during chemotherapy and continued as maintenance benefitted patients with and without BRCA1/2 mutations, says Coleman.

These findings will depend on the types of treatment patients receive. If a patient is planning to receive neoadjuvant therapy or a chemotherapy approach, adding veliparib can potentially impact their experience, concludes Coleman.