Association of Clinical Trial Participation With Improved Overall Survival for Recurrent, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether clinical trial participation is associated with overall survival in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.METHODS:An IRB-approved, retrospective, single-institution cohort study was performed in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2017. Platinum resistance was defined as progression within 6 months after completion of platinum chemotherapy. Patients were divided into two cohorts: 1) clinical trial participants for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer or 2) standard of care. The association of trial participation with overall survival from the date of platinum resistance was assessed with univariate and multivariable models.RESULTS:Of 305 eligible patients with recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, 46 (15.1%) were clinical trial participants. There were no significant differences in age (61.2 years vs 63.3 years, P=.21), body mass index (27.5 vs 27.6, P=.90), race (P=.61), medical comorbidities (P>.05), or performance status (P=.07) for clinical trial participants compared with those receiving standard of care. The majority underwent primary cytoreduction (76.1% vs 69.1%, P=.34) with no differences in residual disease (P=.43) for clinical trial participants compared with those receiving standard of care. There was no difference in poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor (21.7% vs 15.1%, P=.26) or bevacizumab (22.2% vs 32.1%, P=.31) use for clinical trial participants compared with those receiving standard of care. On multivariable analysis controlling for comorbidities, stage, and germline mutational status, clinical trial participation was associated with significantly improved overall survival from the date of platinum resistance compared with standard of care (13.8 months vs 10.5 months, adjusted hazard ratio 1.46, 95% CI 1.04-2.05, P=.028).CONCLUSIONS:In this retrospective cohort of patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, clinical trial participation was associated with improved overall survival compared with standard of care therapies. Availability and participation in clinical trials should be prioritized in patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.