Experimental Women's Cancer Drug Boosts Survival Rates in Notable Study

A groundbreaking drug is offering new hope in the fight against treatment-resistant ovarian cancer.

Relacorilant, tested in the phase 3 ROSELLA trial in partnership with Corcept Therapeutics in California, demonstrated significant promise when paired with the chemotherapy drug nab-paclitaxel. The results? Improved survival rates and reduced disease progression.

The ROSELLA trial, a collaborative effort with The GOG Foundation, studied 381 patients globally, spanning continents from North America to South Korea, and even as far as Brazil and Australia.

The study revealed a notable 30% reduction in disease progression risk for patients battling platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, compared to those treated solely with nab-paclitaxel. For context, platinum-based chemotherapy is a common treatment, but resistance often leaves patients with few options. Enter Relacorilant—administered as an oral pill—which was praised for being "well-tolerated" without increasing side effects.

Patients take the pill one day before, the day of, and one day after nab-paclitaxel infusions, which are given weekly. The combination has been hailed as a potential beacon of hope in ovarian cancer treatment. The findings are set to be presented at a medical conference later this year, and earlier phase 2 results were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2023.

Ovarian cancer remains the deadliest of gynecologic cancers, according to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, and is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women.

Dr. Alexander B. Olawaiye, director of gynecological cancer research at Magee-Women’s Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh and principal investigator in the trial, expressed excitement about the results, calling Relacorilant "the first of its kind" for cancers with limited treatment options. "This study showed very significant improvement in both progression-free survival and overall survival," he said, crediting his research team for their relentless efforts.

Dr. Brian Slomovitz, director of gynecologic oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Florida, echoed the enthusiasm, calling the ROSELLA trial "an opportunity to use a unique drug" with "positive, encouraging results." He highlighted the 30% decrease in recurrence risk and the 31% decreased risk of death as refreshing and promising data for ovarian cancer patients.

Both experts emphasized the potential for Relacorilant to receive clinical approval soon, adding to what they described as an "explosion" of cancer therapy approvals in recent decades.

As ovarian cancer continues to be a formidable adversary, this new development represents a much-needed step forward. The dedication of researchers and the courage of patients involved in the trial are a testament to progress in the face of adversity. Here's hoping this "first of its kind" drug earns its place as a game-changer for women's health.