title: Palliative systemic therapy for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: current options.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the available systemic treatments for women with recurrent ovarian cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review was conducted for recurrent ovarian cancer articles in English, including randomized trials, Phase II trials, or reviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We discuss the efficacy and toxicity outcomes associated with systemic therapy for platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Clearly, platinum-based combination systemic therapy shows a prolonged progression-free interval compared with single-agent chemotherapy with a low toxicity profile. No clear superior management strategy exists for platinum-resistant/refractory disease. Novel targeted antiangiogenic agents (eg, bevacizumab), angiopoeitin inhibitors (eg, AMG 386), and poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors (eg, olaparib) are reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although combination platinum-based chemotherapy has shown benefits for women with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer, the optimal treatment strategy for those with platinum-resistant or platinum-refractory disease is not clear. Molecular and genetic targeted therapies may provide opportunities for those women with tumor profiles that show sensitivity for specific agents.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada ; Department of Oncology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Laurie
authors: L
authors: Elit
authors: Hal
authors: H
authors: Hirte
keywords: biologic agents; ovarian cancer; systemic therapy