Elahere For Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
- Elahere offers hope for women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer by targeting folate receptor positive cancer cells.
- The drug works by attaching to FRα, blocking signals for cell growth, and starving the cancer cells of folate.
- Clinical trials show Elahere significantly increases survival rates and reduces disease spread compared to standard treatments.
- Potential side effects include eye issues, lung inflammation, nerve problems, and more.
Elahere is a medication specifically designed to combat an aggressive and fast-spreading form of the disease known as folate receptor positive ovarian cancer which is a type of cancer that develops when cancer cells have an excessive amount of a protein called folate receptor alpha (FRα) on their surface. This protein acts like a gatekeeper, allowing vitamin B9 (folate) to enter into the cells.
Read MoreHow Elahere works
Elahere belongs to a category of drugs called antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).Its unique action starts with attaching itself to FRα on the cancer cells. This attachment effectively blocks the protein, preventing it from receiving signals that trigger cancer cell growth and division.
Consequently, these cancer cells lose their ability to multiply rapidly, slowing down their aggressive expansion.
Furthermore, by blocking FRα, Elahere disrupts the cancer cells’ ability to absorb folate, starving them of a critical way to fuel their growth. This weakens the cancer cells and stops them from spreading.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness:
Several studies suggest Elahere’s effectiveness in treating folate receptor positive ovarian cancer:
- The SORAYA Study: This large-scale trial found that Elahere significantly increased survival rates by 30% compared to standard treatments. Some patients even had complete remission, meaning their cancer vanished entirely. On average, the benefits lasted approximately seven months.
The MIRASOL Study: Elahere significantly reduced the risk of the disease spreading or the patient dying by 35% compared to standard chemotherapy. Patients given Elahere were able to delay disease spread for nearly six months.
Potential Side Effects:
While generally manageable, Elahere does come with potential side effects. One serious concern is eye issues, which can show up as:
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Eye pain
- Vision changes
- Uveitis (eye inflammation)
These problems can severely affect sight.
Before starting Elahere, your doctor will examine your eyes. During treatment, they will monitor your eyes closely, particularly at the start.
If you experience any eye problems, your doctor might recommend:
- Artificial tears for eye lubrication
- Topical steroids to reduce inflammation
In severe cases, your doctor might temporarily pause Elahere until your eyes improve. Once improvement occurs, they might resume treatment at the same or a lower dose.
In rare, exceptional circumstances, if the eye problems are very serious, they might discontinue Elahere altogether.
Another potential side effect is lung inflammation, also known as pneumonitis, which can be severe or even life-threatening. Inform your doctor immediately if you experience new or worsening symptoms like trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough, or chest pain.
Elahere can also cause nerve problems, leading to numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hands and feet, a condition called peripheral neuropathy.
More common, less serious side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Elevated liver enzymes
- Nausea or abdominal pain
- Reduced red or white blood cell counts
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Lower blood albumin levels
- Reduced blood magnesium levels
A very important to note: Elahere is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women due to potential risks to unborn babies or nursing infants.
Related: When Ovarian Cancer Returns, Is the New Drug Elahere an Option & Will Insurance Cover It?
How to know If you are a good candidate for Elahere
Not everyone qualifies for Elahere treatment.
Your eligibility depends on having significantly high levels (exceeding 75%) of the FRα protein.
While research suggests that roughly 80% of both new and recurring ovarian cancers might have this protein, only around 35-40% of cancers resistant to platinum treatment exhibit such high levels.
Your doctor will consider Elahere if your ovarian cancer has returned after 1-3 prior ineffective platinum-based chemotherapy treatments, indicating platinum resistance.
A test called immunohistochemistry (IHC) determines the presence and level of FRα in your cancer cells. Your doctor can order this test through a biopsy if:
- You have ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer
- You get your treatment in the US or a territory
- You haven’t had this test before
- Your doctor says it medically necessary
Two companies offer a free IHC test in Phoenix and elsewhere in the US:
- FR-ASSIST program: Partnered with NeoGenomics and ImmunoGen, your oncologist can request a free test.
- Labcorp FR-ASSIST™ program: Offers a free FOLR1 IHC test for eligible patients.
Most doctors don’t order this test automatically.
If you haven’t had it and are considering treatment options for folate receptor, you should have a talk with your doctor about it. The more information you have about your cancer, the more informed you will become about treatment options.
Clinical trials
If Elahere is not right for you or if it stops working, your doctor may bring up the idea of a clinical trial.
A clinical trial is a study run by medical researchers. They test real patients with experimental treatments to see if they are safe and effective before they are approved by the government for wider use.
Two drugs are currently in clinical trials for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer:
- Farletuzumab uses a kind of protein known as an antibody to target FRα and stop the tumor from growing and spreading. Like Elahere, it is an ADC.
- STRO-002 is an investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that combines an antibody with a potent toxin to find the FRα-positive cancer cells and then poison them.
Ask your doctor if a clinical trial makes sense for you. They can help you identify and apply for the one nearest you.
Related: SurvivorNet Clinical Trial Finder
Questions for your doctor
- Is my cancer platinum resistant?
- Should I be tested to see how much FRα is present in my cancer cells?
- Am I a good candidate for Elahere?
- What are the potential side effects of Elahere, and how can they be managed?
- In the event Elahere stops working, what alternatives do I have?
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