Two ovarian cancer clinical trials to be available

Every September, a greater focus is given to ovarian cancer, hoping to increase awareness about the disease, along with warning signs and symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 21,000 women will receive a new ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2025. Almost 13,000 will die from ovarian cancer.

Leading the charge for cancer care across the region, OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria, Illinois, will be offering two ovarian cancer clinical trials for patients.

Clinical trial #1 | GOG 3115

The first trial, which launched in early September 2025, gives select ovarian cancer patients the option to receive an antibody drug conjugate (ADC) that targets specific cancer cells. OSF Cancer Institute will be a part of a cooperative group trial with the GOG Partners program, including multiple sites across the United States.

Michelle Rowland, MD, a gynecologic oncologist with OSF HealthCare, says it will allow for lower dosing, which is an improvement from traditional chemotherapy. This creates fewer side effects, while still being more effective.

"Recently in patients who have had their ovarian cancer recur, we've noted that we have a new drug called mirvetuximab soravtansine with Carboplatin, which works really well in those patients. This is now a trial looking at using this drug in cancer patients with a new diagnosis," Dr. Rowland explains. “This changes what the standard of care is and hopefully improves the responses we're getting and lessening the side effects of their treatment. This will be for patients who are newly diagnosed with ovarian cancer and require chemotherapy."

Common side effects for chemotherapy patients with ovarian cancer:

• Nausea 
• Fatigue 
• Neuropathy (numbness and tingling in hands and feet)
• Bone pain 

Dr. Rowland says OSF Cancer Institute is currently looking for patients with a new ovarian cancer diagnosis for the upcoming trial.

Any new ovarian cancer patient who has not received chemotherapy before would be eligible to try this new drug. 

Clinical trial #2

A second study, which is a national cooperative group trial, is set to offer new treatments for patients who have already undergone ovarian cancer treatment. This is for patients who did well during the treatment, but their cancer came back. 

"These treatments typically involve some of the antibody drug conjugates, but also immunotherapy and combinations of those medications. This gives patients new options they might not see," Dr. Rowland says. "So, for someone who is seen in our system, or seen elsewhere and wants a different treatment option, that will be open here." 

The second trial is expected to launch in late 2025, as OSF HealthCare plans to open additional trials for patients.

Ovarian cancer common facts

For a long time, ovarian cancer has been called the "silent killer." Dr. Rowland wants to dispel that myth, because there are signs and symptoms to look out for, she says. 

Ovarian cancer symptoms:

• Abdominal bloating
• Changes in bowel habits, such as constipation
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Lack of appetite
• Feeling full after a few bites of food
• Constantly feeling the need to urinate

"Those are the most common and can be related to a lot of different things. So, if you're having these symptoms, we encourage patients to reach out to their doctor,” Dr. Rowland says.

For breast cancer patients, to be eligible for genetic testing, there are a few guidelines people need to meet. For ovarian cancer, all it takes to receive genetic testing is to have the disease. This is because a larger number of ovarian cancer patients will have a genetic mutation, roughly 15-20%, Dr. Rowland says. 

Robotic-assisted surgeries are an option for select surgeries at OSF HealthCare. Surgeons can use the brand-new da Vinci 5 robotic system by Intuitive. Dr. Rowland says she has seen a benefit for ovarian cancer patients since using the new technology. 

An ovarian cancer survivor group is having a walk at the OSF Cancer Institute on Saturday, September 20. This gives a way for people to support ovarian cancer survivors and learn more about the disease. More information about the 2025 Teal Butterfly Blessings Ovarian Cancer Awareness Walk can be found here.

For more information about gynecologic cancer services and resources at OSF, visit the OSF HealthCare website.

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