Holy Name Press Releases

Holy Name Medical Center First in U.S. To Offer New Clinical Trial for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

February 19, 2020

Holy Name Medical Center is again the first site in the U.S. to open enrollment for a new clinical study focused on women with advanced ovarian cancer. The MIRASOL study assesses a promising agent, mirvetuximab soravtansine, which is an antibody linked to a chemotherapy drug. This agent is designed to target and kill tumor cells that express a protein that is often observed in ovarian cancer, while sparing healthy cells and reducing side effects.

The phase 3 clinical trial aims to stop disease progression and increase overall survival, while comparing this advanced agent with current standard chemotherapy.

"This year in the U.S. alone, more than 23,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, with over 14,000 deaths," said Sharyn Lewin, MD, director of gynecologic oncology at the Patricia Lynch Cancer Center. "While research has improved the outcomes for women diagnosed with this disease, it is still diagnosed in late stages with high recurrence rates. We need novel treatment options for women with recurrent disease and the MIRASOL study is one such promising example."

"We continue to collaborate with the pharmaceutical industry, including companies such as Immunogen, which developed Mirvetuximab, to uncover breakthrough treatments that strengthen our fight against cancer," notes Ravit Barkama MD, MPH, associate vice president for clinical development. "Holy Name is proudly growing its portfolio of cutting edge options on a weekly basis."

To find out if you are a candidate for the MIRASOL study, call the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at 201-227-6200. To learn more about all Holy Name clinical trials, visit holyname.org/clinical.