Repurposed Cushing's Drug Shows Promise in Extending Survival for Aggressive Ovarian Cancer

Repurposed Drug Offers New Hope for Aggressive Ovarian Cancer Patients

A medication originally developed to treat a rare hormonal condition could significantly extend survival for women diagnosed with one of the most difficult-to-treat forms of ovarian cancer, according to findings from a major clinical trial published in the Lancet.

Understanding Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is diagnosed when the disease continues to advance within six months of a patient beginning platinum-based chemotherapy — a specialised form of cancer treatment that uses platinum-containing compounds to halt cancer cell division. Women living with this diagnosis face particularly bleak outcomes, with an average survival expectancy of just one year and very few effective treatment alternatives available.

Relacorilant Cuts Death Risk by 35%

The landmark study examined data from 381 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, who were divided into two groups — one receiving standard care and the other receiving relacorilant in addition to their treatment. Relacorilant is an oral medication primarily prescribed for Cushing's syndrome, a condition triggered by abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol in the body.

After an average follow-up period of two years, the results were striking. Patients who took relacorilant experienced a 35% reduction in their risk of death compared to those receiving conventional treatment alone. Furthermore, those in the relacorilant group survived an average of four months longer than patients in the control group — a meaningful gain for individuals facing such limited options.

Based on these outcomes, the research team concluded that relacorilant could represent a viable new standard of care for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Pembrolizumab Also Demonstrates Survival Benefits

A second trial, involving 643 patients with the same diagnosis, explored the effectiveness of pembrolizumab — an immunotherapy drug that works by activating the body's immune system to identify and attack cancer cells. Patients who received pembrolizumab alongside standard treatment survived for an average of 17.7 months, compared to 14 months for those who received standard care alone, representing a notable improvement in overall survival.

The Broader Picture: Ovarian Cancer in the UK

Ovarian cancer remains a significant health concern for women across the United Kingdom, ranking as the sixth most common cancer among women. Approximately 7,600 new cases are recorded each year, accounting for roughly 4% of all new female cancer diagnoses. Tragically, around 3,900 women lose their lives to the disease annually, underscoring the urgent need for more effective treatments.

What Comes Next for UK Patients?

While these findings are undeniably encouraging, both trials are currently at phase 3 of clinical testing, meaning further evaluation is required before either treatment can receive regulatory approval in the UK. However, patients in the United States have already gained access to both relacorilant and pembrolizumab, following approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer cases.

For UK patients, the results offer a cautious but meaningful sense of optimism — and signal that the treatment landscape for this aggressive cancer could be on the verge of a significant shift.