Dr Secord on the Safety of Mirvetuximab in Recurrent Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer

Angeles A. Secord, MD, MHSc, professor, obstetrics and gynecology, Duke Cancer Institute, discusses safety findings from the phase 2 PICCOLO trial (NCT05041257) evaluating mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx (Elahere) in patients with recurrent, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer with high folate receptor alpha (FRα) expression.

The PICCOLO trial is a phase 2 global, open-label, single-arm study investigating mirvetuximab in individuals with heavily pretreated, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, Secord begins, adding that results from the study were shared at the 2024 ESMO Congress.

One of the most encouraging aspects of this trial is the favorable safety profile observed, she reports. No new safety signals were detected, and the incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse effects (AEs) was notably low. Moreover,toxicities associated with the treatment were primarily mild, with the most common AEs consisting of manageable gastrointestinal toxicity, neurosensory toxicity, and reversible ocular events, Secord explains.

It is crucial to engage in thorough discussions with patients about what to expect during treatment, she emphasizes. Proper management of these ocular toxicities including requires coordination with the healthcare provider performing ocular examinations, she states. Secord shares that she collaborates closely with an optometrist in her own practice, who she says has been instrumental in managing patients undergoing this treatment. Such collaboration ensures that ocular toxicity is addressed promptly and effectively, she explains.

Additionally, counseling patients about the importance of using steroid and lubricating eye drops is essential for minimizing ocular AEs, Secord continues. These medications can help prevent or reduce the severity of eye-related toxicities, improving the overall tolerability of the treatment, she says. By maintaining open communication with both patients and providers, oncologists can better manage AEs and enhance patient outcomes during treatment, Secord says. This approach helps optimize the safety and efficacy of mirvetuximab, offering a well-tolerated treatment option for those with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, she concludes.