The new drug shows promise in addressing treatment-resistant ovarian cancer.
Relacorilant, a drug tested in a phase 3 trial using California’s Corcept Therapeutics, was found to improve overall disease survival and progression when consistent with a chemotherapy drug called Nab-Paclitaxel.
According to a press release, the Rosella trial, conducted in collaboration with the GOG Foundation, analyzed 381 patients from around the world, including the US, Europe, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and Australia.
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A large randomized, phase 3 trial found a 30% reduction in the risk of disease progression in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer compared to those treated with NAB-paclitaxel. (Some types of chemotherapy include the elemental platinum.)
According to Corcept Therapeutics, patients whose disease has returned less than six months after receiving therapy containing platinum have a “platinum resistant” disease. (istock)
The researchers also noted a “significant improvement” in overall survival rates due to the drug combination.
Relacorilant, administered as an oral tablet, is reportedly “well tolerated” by patients without increasing side effects.
“It’s promising if the risk of recurrence is reduced by 30% and the risk of death is reduced by 31%.”
This drug is administered on the day of Nab-Paclitaxel therapy, administered via weekly infusion, and on the oral one day before the day.
The findings will be presented at a medical conference later this year, researchers say. Phase 2 results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2023.
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Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women and the most fatal cause of gynecological cancer, according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Union.
Alexander B. Olawaiye, MD, director of gynecological cancer research at Magee-Women’s Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh and lead investigator at the Rosella trial, discussed the results at Fox News Digital.
Relacorilant, administered as an oral tablet, is reportedly “well tolerated” by patients without increasing side effects. (istock)
Olawaiye reiterated that the new agent was “the first of its kind” in the fight against cancer, which lacked many treatment options.
“That’s what really makes the findings of this study really exciting because it showed a huge improvement in both progression-free and overall survival,” he said.
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Experts shared their gratitude to his research team, saying that they “didn’t stop trying” for women undergoing treatment.
“I want to congratulate women who are being treated for ovarian cancer. First, and secondly, they helped me do this exam because there may be other options on the block.”
The researchers found that patients in the trial showed a 30% reduction in the risk of death. (istock)
Dr. Brianth Lomovitz, director of gynecological oncology for the Cancer Research Committee at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, also commented on these findings in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“Ovarian cancer has proven to be extremely difficult to treat, especially in patients with diseases that are resistant to standard chemotherapy,” he said.
“For a long time, we have been trying to find treatments that will help patients not only stay apart from the illness, but also help them live longer. Unfortunately, most trials have been negative.”
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Slomovitz, a member of the Gog Foundation, said he views Roseella Trial as an “opportunity to use a unique drug” with “positive and encouraging results.”
“It is promising to reduce the risk of recurrence by 30% and the risk of death by 31%,” he said.
Relacorilant is given one day before, on the day of Nab-Paclitaxel chemotherapy, and one day after. This is administered via weekly infusion. (istock)
“Looking at data like this is refreshing and represents something exciting for patients suffering from ovarian cancer.”
Olawaiye shared his hopes for a treatment that would “quickly” clinical approval.
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As research and technology advance, a variety of cancer treatments have emerged over the past few years.
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Olawaiye commented that the past 20 years have been “a very exciting time” due to the “explosion of approval” for cancer therapy.
“Today’s news about Relacorilant is just another addition,” he said.
