Advances in precision therapy of low-grade serous ovarian cancer: A review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Apr 26;103(17):e34306. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000034306.

Abstract

Low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC) is a rare subtype of ovarian cancer that accounts for approximately 6% to 10% of serous ovarian cancers. The clinical treatment of LGSOC is similar to that of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, however, its clinical and molecular characteristics are different from those of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. This article reviews the research on gene diagnosis, surgical treatment, chemotherapy, and biological therapy of LGSOC, providing reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of LGSOC. Surgery is the cornerstone of LGSOC treatment and maximum effort must be made to achieve R0 removal. Although LGSOC is not sensitive to chemotherapy, postoperative platinum-based combination chemotherapy remains the first-line treatment option for LGSOC. Additional clinical trials are needed to confirm the clinical benefits of chemotherapy and explore new chemotherapy protocols. Hormone and targeted therapies may also play important roles. Some patients, particularly those with residual lesions after treatment, may benefit from hormone maintenance therapy after chemotherapy. Targeted therapies, such as MEKi, show good application prospects and are expected to change the treatment pattern of LGSOC. Continuing to further study the genomics of LGSOC, identify its specific gene changes, and combine traditional treatment methods with precision targeted therapy based on second-generation sequencing may be the direction for LGSOC to overcome the treatment bottleneck. In future clinical work, comprehensive genetic testing should be carried out for LGSOC patients to accumulate data for future scientific research, in order to find more effective methods and drugs for the treatment of LGSOC.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous* / drug therapy
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous* / genetics
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous* / pathology
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous* / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Precision Medicine* / methods