Merck and Alkermes to evaluate combination of Keytruda with nemvaleukin

 FDA approved theinitiation of endoxifenstudy in OVCA

Tamoxifen is an FDA-approved drug to treat ovarian and breast cancer. In order to work, tamoxifen must be broken down by the liver into active compounds known as metabolites. The most active metabolite is endoxifen. Third-party clinical studies have found that the use of Z-endoxifen resulted in robust antitumor and antiestrogenic activity in endocrine-sensitive and letrozole-resistant breast tumors when compared to tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitor monotherapy.

Merck and Alkermes will collaborate on Phase 3 study for ovarian cancer treatment

Merck and Alkermes announced they will conduct a Phase 3 study to evaluate nemvaleukin alfa, Alkermes' novel investigational engineered IL-2 variant immunotherapy, in combination with Merck’s Keytruda, in patients with platinum-resistant OVCA. The combination is currently being evaluated in two 1/2 phase studies, ARTISTRY-1 and ARTISTRY-2, to determine its safety, tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects, Alkermes said in a company press release.

Carbo–Paclidoublet more effective than carbo alone in older patients with OVCA

A study recently found that a conventional carboplatin–paclitaxel doublet regimen was more effective than single-agent carboplatin in improved survival for older women with ovarian cancer and should be considered an option for this patient population. Four hundred and forty-seven women aged 70 years and older with newly diagnosed stage III/IV ovarian cancer were assessed per the Geriatric Vulnerability Score, and 120 patients had a score of 3 or higher.

First patient dosed in Phase 3trial evaluating AVB-500 in platinum resistant OVCA

A first patient has been dosed in a Phase III trial of AVB-500 (Aravive) in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). The trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy of AVB-500 in combination with paclitaxel (Taxol; BMS) and the primary endpoint is PFS.