After finishing one course of ovarian cancer treatment, many people are surprised to hear their care team suggest starting 'maintenance therapy.' Having just endured demanding chemotherapy, being asked to keep taking medication can feel discouraging. But maintenance therapy is less about adding a new, aggressive treatment and more about trying to hold on to a good response for as long as possible.
Ovarian cancer often shrinks well with chemotherapy, yet it can return over time. Maintenance therapy is used during the period when visible disease has quieted down, aiming to suppress any tiny amounts of remaining disease activity and to lengthen the time before a relapse. Oral medicines known as PARP inhibitors are one of the common tools used in this role.
A key part of this is biomarker testing. Because the same drug does not work equally well for everyone, doctors look at specific genetic or molecular features in the tumor or blood to estimate which treatment is more likely to help. In ovarian cancer, a BRCA gene mutation or a feature called homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) can serve as a clue to whether a PARP inhibitor may work better. These results can influence whether maintenance therapy is offered and which drug is chosen.
Options have been gradually widening. Even in the 'platinum-resistant' phase, when the cancer no longer responds well to platinum-based chemotherapy, treatments with different mechanisms — such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and immunotherapy — are being studied and, in some settings, introduced. This allows care to be tailored more closely to a person's disease and biomarkers. Still, each of these drugs has its own eligibility, side effects, and insurance-coverage rules, so whether one fits your situation must be worked out together with your care team.
News about new drugs can stir both hope and impatience. A drug being approved or gaining broader insurance coverage does not automatically mean it is the right choice for you right now. The best sequence and timing depend on your stage, previous treatments, biomarkers, and overall condition. Jotting down your questions and asking them one by one at your appointments can help.
This article is for general information only and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment. Please discuss any decisions about treatments and medications with your own care team.