Dr. Swisher on Efficacy Results of ARIEL 2 Study in Ovarian Cancer

Elizabeth Swisher, MD, professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention Program, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, discusses the results of the ARIEL2 trial in patients in patients with relapsed, platinum-sensitive, high-grade ovarian carcinoma with a germline or somatic BRCA mutation.

These updated results were pooled from parts 1 and 2 of this study to evaluate objective response rate (ORR) and safety of rucaparib (Rubraca). Results showed that the ORR for patients who were platinum sensitive was 70%, and rucaparib had an acceptable safety profile.

For patients who were platinum resistant, though, ORR was about 25%, and patients who had progressed on their last platinum treatment showed no response. Swisher says that these agents need to be started earlier in treatment, before patients develop resistance.