Earlier Detection, Better Outcomes in Ovarian Cancer

Despite meaningful advances in oncology, ovarian cancer remains one of the deadliest gynecologic malignancies, largely because most cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Approximately 75% of women are diagnosed after the disease has spread, limiting treatment options and contributing to poor survival outcomes. In this discussion, George Peoples, MD, surgical oncologist and Chief Medical Officer of Kaida Biopharma, sits down with Jasmin Hundal, MD, MS, MPH, to examine the challenges surrounding early detection, review recent therapeutic advances, and highlight promising areas of ongoing research that may improve outcomes for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

Why Ovarian Cancer Is Often Diagnosed Too Late

Unlike breast, colorectal, or lung cancer, ovarian cancer lacks an effective screening test and often presents with subtle, nonspecific symptoms. According to Dr. Peoples, these factors contribute significantly to delayed diagnosis.

“Ovarian cancer is still sufficiently uncommon,” he explained, adding that the disease develops “deep within the abdomen and pelvis,” where tumors can grow without producing obvious warning signs.

Although symptoms such as persistent pelvic pain, abdominal discomfort, bloating, changes in bowel or bladder habits, and prolonged fatigue may occur, they are often attributed to more common, benign conditions.

“These are all very non-specific,” Dr. Peoples said. “But if a woman is experiencing any of those types of symptoms that are persistent, they really should be evaluated.”

He also emphasized the importance of understanding hereditary risk. Patients with a family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or BRCA-associated malignancies may warrant closer surveillance and genetic evaluation.

Current Diagnostic Strategies and Their Limitations

Because no reliable population-based screening test exists, diagnosis typically relies on symptom evaluation and imaging studies once clinical suspicion arises.

Transvaginal ultrasound remains one of the primary diagnostic imaging tools for evaluating ovarian abnormalities, while CT imaging is commonly used for staging advanced disease. Serum CA-125 testing may provide additional information but has significant limitations.

“CA-125 levels are not sufficiently sensitive or specific to be used in general screening,” Dr. Peoples noted.

The absence of an effective screening modality continues to be one of the greatest unmet needs in ovarian cancer care.

The Impact of Delayed Diagnosis

Late-stage presentation has profound implications for patient outcomes. Dr. Peoples pointed to national statistics that illustrate the ongoing challenge.

“We have about 21,000 cases of ovarian cancer in the United States every year and we have over 14,000 deaths,” he said. “When the death number is approaching the incidence number, that gives you a real sense that we're diagnosing these cases too late.”

While many early-stage cancers are potentially curable, advanced ovarian cancer frequently recurs despite initial response to treatment, making long-term disease control difficult.

New Treatment Options for Platinum-Resistant Disease

Although delayed diagnosis remains a major obstacle, therapeutic options for recurrent ovarian cancer continue to expand.

Initial treatment still centers on maximal surgical debulking followed by platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy, with or without bevacizumab. While many patients initially achieve remission, recurrence is common, and platinum-resistant disease remains particularly challenging.

Fortunately, recent approvals have introduced new options for these patients. “There have been several newly approved drugs for platinum-resistant disease,” Dr. Peoples said.

Among the latest advances are pembrolizumab in combination with paclitaxel for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and relacorilant, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, combined with nab-paclitaxel. He also highlighted mirvetuximab soravtansine, an antibody-drug conjugate targeting folate receptor alpha, as another important recent addition to the treatment landscape.

“These are two new treatments that have just been approved this year,” he noted, reflecting the rapid pace of therapeutic innovation.

Looking Ahead: Precision Medicine and Novel Targets

Beyond recently approved therapies, research continues to focus on identifying novel molecular targets and improving precision medicine approaches.

Dr. Peoples discussed ongoing work evaluating KAD101, an investigational therapy targeting the prolactin receptor. Although prolactin has long been associated with breast cancer biology, emerging evidence suggests it may also contribute to ovarian and prostate tumor growth.

“By blocking that prolactin that feeds the tumor,” he explained, researchers hope to develop another strategy for treating recurrent platinum-resistant disease.

At the same time, advances in genomic profiling are expanding opportunities for personalized treatment selection. “We can do full genetic screens of cancer patients very quickly and much less expensively,” Dr. Peoples said.

Comprehensive genomic testing allows clinicians to identify patients who may benefit from targeted therapies, including PARP inhibitors for tumors with homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). As genetic testing becomes increasingly accessible, precision oncology is expected to play an even greater role in ovarian cancer management.

The Need for Better Screening

Despite encouraging therapeutic progress, Dr. Peoples believes improving early detection remains the greatest opportunity to reduce ovarian cancer mortality. “We still really need a good general screening test,” he said.

Current research efforts are exploring more sensitive and specific screening approaches that could identify disease before symptoms develop. Combined with expanded genetic testing, increased patient education, and continued drug development, these advances have the potential to substantially improve outcomes in the years ahead.

Until then, clinician awareness, patient education, and prompt evaluation of persistent symptoms remain critical components of ovarian cancer care.

Key Takeaways

• Most ovarian cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage because symptoms are nonspecific and effective screening is lacking.

• Persistent pelvic pain, bloating, abdominal symptoms, or bowel and bladder changes warrant further evaluation.

• Genetic testing is becoming increasingly important for identifying hereditary risk and guiding targeted therapies.

• New treatment options continue to expand for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, including immunotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates, and novel targeted agents.

• Earlier detection remains the greatest unmet need and an important focus of ongoing research. 

About the Speakers

George Peoples, MD, is a surgical oncologist with extensive experience in cancer research, clinical leadership, and oncology drug development. Formerly at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, he has led multiple comprehensive cancer programs and currently serves as Chief Medical Officer of Kaida Biopharma, where he focuses on developing novel targeted therapies for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and other solid tumors.

Jasmin Hundal, MD, MS, MPH, is a third-year Hematology/Oncology Fellow at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. Previously, she completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Hundal’s main area of interest is the overlap between cardiometabolic health and cancer, particularly for breast cancer patients and survivors. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and hiking.