Ovarian Cancer

Clinical Trials

Below is a list of Ovarian Cancer clinical trials from the clinical trials database at Mayo Clinic.

This list includes only trials about which Mayo researchers choose to publish information. Mayo Clinic may be conducting other trials which are not in this database. Mayo's clinical trials include experimental treatments, often unavailable elsewhere, which frequently lead to improved patient care for people worldwide. Patients should ask their doctor at Mayo about clinical trials appropriate for their situation.

A Phase II Trial of Gemcitabine (Gemzar) in combination with 17-Allylaminogeldanamycin (17AAG) (Tanespimycin) in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian and Primary Peritoneal Cancer
Gemcitabine is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-cancer drug. 17AAG is an investigational drug. This study is being done to determine the effects (both good and bad), of gemcitabine in combination with 17AAG, when used in the treatment of patients with ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer. In particular, the effects of the gemcitabine/17AAG combination on cancer growth and extent will be evaluated using blood tests (such as CA125) and other testing (such as CT scans and chest x-rays) as suited for patients receiving both gemcitabine and 17AAG. Additionally, side effects of gemcitabine and 17AAG will be closely watched, with dosage changes made as needed to protect the health of treated patients. 17AAG can cause the damage of some kinds of proteins in cancer cells that keep the cancer from dying and promote the growth of the cancer. By destroying these proteins, 17AAG may shrink the cancer or slow the growth of the cancer. In experiments done by Dr. Haluska and his collegues, the effects of 17AAG on cancer cell death was greatly increased when gemcitabine was given prior. In patients that have previously received gemcitabine, we will learn whether 17AAG can reverse tumor resistance to gemcitabine and shrink tumors in patients with ovarian and primary peritoneal cancers. In patients who have had no prior exposure to gemcitabine, we will learn whether the combination of gemcitabine and 17AAG has the ability to shrink tumors in patients with ovarian and primary peritoneal cancers.
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Flavopiridol and Cisplatin in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian and Primary Peritoneal Cancers (MC0261)
This research study is being done to learn the effects (good and bad) of the drugs flavopiridol and cisplatin when given together to patients with ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer.
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GOG-0215, A Phase 2 Study Evaluating Bone Mineral Density in Individuals Having Removal of the Ovaries to Prevent Ovarian Cancer, Receiving Either Zoledronic Acid (Zometa) or Observation
The purpose of this study is to look at the effects of zoledronic acid (Zometa) on preventing bone loss in women who undergo early menopause due to surgical removal of their ovaries. Women who choose to have their ovaries removed before menopause will experience immediate menopause due to the loss of estrogen in the body. A lack of estrogen can cause a variety of side effects, one of which is bone loss. Substantial bone loss can lead to a higher risk of bone fractures. This study is being conducted to find a way to prevent the loss of bone in women who have chosen to undergo this surgery.
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Phase 3 Trial of Maintenance Chemotherapy Comparing 12, Monthly Cycles of Paclitaxel or Xyotax (CT-2103) (IND#70177), Versus No Treatment Until Documented Relapse In Women with Advanced Ovarian or Primary Peritoneal Cancer Who Achieve A Complete Clinical Response to Primary Platinum/Taxane Chemotherapy
Patients are being asked to take part in this research study because they have ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer that has been confirmed by surgery. The patient's physician has told the patient that chemotherapy (treatment with a drug) is needed to control the growth of the tumor and reduce the chance of recurrence (coming back). Standard chemotherapy for the patient's cancer is effective, but a long-term cure is uncommon. Many patients will eventually redevelop disease and need additional treatment. It is hoped that new chemotherapy combinations may improve on the success achieved with current standard treatment programs.

A recently completed study showed that women with advanced ovarian cancer who had no sign of active disease after the completion of the initial five or six cycles (periods of treatment and rest) of chemotherapy who continued to receive chemotherapy had a delay in the return of their cancer. Unfortunately, in this trial it was not possible to determine if the delay in the return of their cancer was associated with an improvement in how long they lived. A second question that was not answered by this completed study was whether the benefit of the delay in the return of their cancer was outweighed by the side effects of continuing the chemotherapy.

In the current trial the researchers wish to examine whether women with advanced ovarian cancer who have no evidence of disease after the completion of initial chemotherapy live longer if a specific treatment program is continued once a month for 12 months versus stopping all chemotherapy until there is evidence of return of the cancer. Two different chemotherapy regimens (plans of treatment) and one regimen including no further treatment will be examined. The first of the chemotherapy arms, paclitaxel, is a standard chemotherapy drug used to treat ovarian cancer, and was the drug utilized in the trial noted above. The second drug, Xyotax (CT-2103), is an experimental drug with anticancer activity similar to that of paclitaxel. It is possible that CT-2103 will produce similar results to that found with paclitaxel, but with reduced side effects. Patients will be randomized (like the flipping of a coin) to one of the three possible regimens (paclitaxel, CT-2103 or check-ups only) . Patients have an equal chance of being placed in any one of the three regimens. Neither the patient nor the doctor will decide which regimen is received.
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Trial of Intraperitoneal Administration of a CEA-Expressing Derivative Manufactured from a Genetically Engineered Strain of Measles Virus in Patients with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer (MC0117)
The purpose of this research study is:

• to learn the highest dose of a modified measles virus that can be given in the abdominal cavity of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer by using escalating doses of the virus in consecutive groups of patients without causing unacceptable side effects;
• to look at the side effects of the virus when administered in the abdominal cavity; and,
• to assess the virus' effects in the body using blood, urine, throat gargle specimen(s), and tissue samples.

The virus used in this study produces an active protein marker called CEA when it propagates. CEA is a protein, which is found in the blood of people with a variety of diseases, most notably cancer, and it has not been reported to cause disease. The longterm effects of inducing CEA in the blood are unknown. CEA can be measured in blood and used to follow the activity of the virus. MV-CEA is an investigational agent. It is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of cancer.
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