Phase 3 work includes heated intraperitoneal chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → (HIPEC) followed by niraparib, trastuzumab deruxtecan versus standard of care after PARP inhibitorDrugs that block PARP enzymes, exploiting DNA repair defects in cancer cells such as those with BRCA mutations.Click for full explanation → progression, a second folate-targeted antibody-drug conjugate SHR-A1811, and INCB123667, a cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) inhibitor targeting cyclin E1 overexpressing tumours. Sacituzumab tirumotecan is being tested in non-HRD positive advanced disease, and BL-B01D1 is in phase 3 against chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → in platinum-resistant disease. Earlier-phase studies include the BCL-xL degrader DT2216 with paclitaxel, adavosertib and azenosertib (WEE1 inhibitors), the glutaminase-1 inhibitor IACS-6274, relacorilant added to nab-paclitaxel, and autologous chimeric antigen receptorA type of immunotherapy that genetically engineers a patient's own T cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells.Click for full explanation → (CAR)-T cells targeting B7-H3. Combination studies are pairing olaparib with tremelimumab, and atezolizumab with bevacizumab and chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation →. There is significant screening and prevention work, including salpingectomy with delayed oophorectomy in high-risk women, cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) algorithms, methylated DNA markers for early detection, and research on residential radon and pesticide exposure.
Where the evidence stands
PARP inhibitorDrugs that block PARP enzymes, exploiting DNA repair defects in cancer cells such as those with BRCA mutations.Click for full explanation → maintenance has strong phase 3 evidence, especially in BRCAGenes whose mutations significantly raise the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.Click for full explanation →-mutated and HRD-positive disease. Mirvetuximab soravtansine has phase 3 support in FRa-positive platinum-resistant disease. Trastuzumab deruxtecan and several other antibody-drug conjugates are entering phase 3 testing. CDK2 and WEE1 inhibitors are in late phase 2 or early phase 3 and have shown encouraging activity in biomarkerA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation →-selected groups. Most single-agent immunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation → strategies have been disappointing in ovarian cancer, so current work focuses on combinations and biomarkerA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation → selection. Prophylactic salpingectomy has growing but still observational evidence.
What this means for people affected
Ovarian cancer has shifted toward biomarkerA measurable biological signal used to detect disease or predict treatment response.Click for full explanation →-driven treatment, with BRCAGenes whose mutations significantly raise the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.Click for full explanation → and HRD status, folate receptor alpha expression, and cyclin E1 overexpression now guiding choices that were not possible a decade ago. Platinum-resistant disease remains the hardest to treat, but antibody-drug conjugates are finally showing meaningful activity there. Genetic testing at diagnosis is now standard because the results change both treatment and family screening. Overall, the pipeline is healthier than it has been in some years, and access to a clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is often worth discussing, especially after a first or second line of therapy.
Last updated April 22, 2026
Recent research findings
Understanding evidence levels▼
PreclinicalLab or cell studies — no human data yet.
Animal StudyResults in animals only — may not apply to humans.
Phase 1 TrialFirst-in-human safety testing in small groups.
Phase 2 TrialEarly effectiveness testing in a larger group.
Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial — the strongest trial evidence.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations — not a controlled trial.
ReviewSummary analysis of multiple existing studies.
Meta-AnalysisStatistical pooling of results from multiple studies.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: April 20, 2026
Ultrasound Triage Improves Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis in NHS Clinics
Researchers evaluated the use of a new ultrasound triage system in two NHS clinics to diagnose ovarian cancer. They found that this system allowed for high same-day discharge rates and reduced the number of surgeries compared to the current standard of care. However, the study also identified challenges in implementing this new system.
Why it matters: This finding could help improve the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer in NHS clinics.
Efficacy
10% (32/334) of patients underwent surgery under the general gynaecology and cancer unit team using IOTA-ADNEX at a 10% threshold, compared to 30% (94/334) if RMI-based triage had been used.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: April 20, 2026
Diosmetin Enhances Effectiveness of Cancer Treatment in Lab Experiments
Researchers tested a natural compound called diosmetin to see if it could make a common cancer treatment more effective. They found that diosmetin combined with the treatment, cisplatin, reduced the growth of ovarian cancer cells in lab experiments. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Why it matters: This finding could lead to new ways to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment for patients with ovarian cancer.
The study was conducted in lab experiments and more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Phase 1 TrialFirst-in-human trial. Focuses on safety and dosing in small groups.Est. completion: December 30, 2027
Testing DT2216 and Paclitaxel in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying the combination of DT2216 and Paclitaxel in people with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The goal is to understand the safety and effectiveness of this treatment.
Why it matters: This trial may help researchers develop a new treatment option for people with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Phase 2 TrialTests early effectiveness in a larger group after phase 1 safety is established.Est. completion: December 31, 2030
Testing Trastuzumab Deruxtecan for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying the effectiveness of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan compared to standard treatment for ovarian cancer that has returned and worsened after treatment with a PARP inhibitorDrugs that block PARP enzymes, exploiting DNA repair defects in cancer cells such as those with BRCA mutations.Click for full explanation →. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The results of this trial are not yet known.
Why it matters: This trial aims to find a more effective treatment option for women with ovarian cancer that has progressed after previous treatment.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: April 17, 2026
Concerns Raised Over Cancer Research Paper
Researchers used a virus to make cancer cells die in lab experiments. However, there are concerns about the accuracy of the data presented in the paper. The study looked at how the virus affected cancer stem cells in ovarian cancer.
Why it matters: This finding may have implications for future research into ovarian cancer treatment, but its accuracy is currently uncertain.
Potential issues with scientific integrity, duplication of data, and unclear experimental conditions.
PreclinicalLab or cell studies. No human data yet.Est. completion: March 1, 2027
Ovarian Cancer Survival Study for Patients with Poor Prognosis
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying how to improve survival for people with a type of ovarian cancer that has a poor prognosis. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The results of this study are not yet available.
Why it matters: This trial aims to contribute to a better understanding of ovarian cancer and potentially improve treatment options for patients with poor prognosis.
PreclinicalLab or cell studies. No human data yet.Est. completion: June 30, 2027
Detecting Cancers with DNA Markers in Vaginal Fluid and Blood
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying the use of methylated DNA markers to detect endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer. Researchers will collect vaginal fluid and blood samples from participants to analyze for these markers. The trial is currently recruiting participants.
Why it matters: This trial aims to improve early detection and potentially lead to better cancer outcomes.
Phase 2 TrialTests early effectiveness in a larger group after phase 1 safety is established.Est. completion: February 28, 2032
Evaluating Valemetostat in Patients with Solid Tumors
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying the efficacy and safety of valemetostat tosylate in patients with selected solid tumors, including clear cell endometrial carcinoma and ovarian cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The results of this trial are not yet known.
Why it matters: This trial aims to gather more information about the potential benefits and risks of valemetostat tosylate in treating certain types of cancer.
Observational StudyPatterns observed in populations over time, not a controlled experiment.Published: April 16, 2026
Rare Cancer Diagnosis in Woman with Severe Brain Symptoms
Researchers reported a case of a woman in her early 40s with severe brain symptoms, including hallucinations and progressive encephalopathy. Imaging tests failed to detect a tumor, but a surgical procedure revealed a hidden ovarian teratoma. The patient received surgery and immunotherapyTreatments that use the body's immune system to fight cancer.Click for full explanation →, leading to gradual recovery.
Why it matters: This case highlights the importance of thorough tumor evaluation and surgical exploration in cases where imaging tests are inconclusive.
Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial comparing treatments. The strongest level of trial evidence.Est. completion: August 1, 2034
Heated ChemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → and Niraparib for Advanced Ovarian and Peritoneal Cancers
This trial is studying a treatment combination of heated intraperitoneal chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → and niraparib for patients with advanced ovarian, primary peritoneal, and fallopian tube cancers. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The effectiveness of this treatment is not yet known.
Why it matters: This trial aims to determine if heated intraperitoneal chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → followed by niraparib can improve outcomes for patients with advanced ovarian and peritoneal cancers.
Phase 3 TrialLarge controlled trial comparing treatments. The strongest level of trial evidence.Est. completion: December 1, 2027
Ovarian Cancer Treatment Trial Recruiting Participants
This clinical trialA research study that tests a medical intervention in human volunteers.Click for full explanation → is studying a new treatment called SHR-A1811 for ovarian cancer. The trial is currently recruiting participants. The results of this study are not yet available.
Why it matters: This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of SHR-A1811 in treating ovarian cancer, which may lead to improved treatment options for patients.
Lab StudyLaboratory experiments on cells or tissue. No human or animal data.Published: April 15, 2026
Enhancing B Cell Function in Ovarian Cancer
Researchers investigated whether changing how B cells use fatty acids could improve their ability to fight ovarian cancer. They found that this approach may enhance B cell function in lab experiments. The study suggests that combining this approach with low-dose chemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → could be a potential treatment for metastatic ovarian cancer.
Why it matters: This finding could lead to new treatment options for patients with metastatic ovarian cancer.
This study was conducted in lab experiments and has not been tested in humans.
Trastzumab Deruxtecan Versus SOC in Recurrent Ovarian That Progressed on Prior PARP InhibitorDrugs that block PARP enzymes, exploiting DNA repair defects in cancer cells such as those with BRCA mutations.Click for full explanation → Therapy
A Study Comparing BL-B01D1 With the Investigator's Choice of ChemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → in Patients With Platinum-resistant Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian Cancer(PANKU-GYN01)
Heated Intraperitoneal ChemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → Followed by Niraparib for Ovarian, Primary Peritoneal and Fallopian Tube Cancer
Study to Evaluate INCB123667 Versus Investigator's Choice of ChemotherapyDrugs that kill rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells.Click for full explanation → in Participants With Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer With Cyclin E1 Overexpression
