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Monoclonal Antibodies for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: February 2023

Monoclonal antibodies are a type of immunotherapy. Immunotherapy drugs take advantage of the body's immune system to help kill cancer cells.1

How do monoclonal antibodies work?

Your body naturally produces antibodies as a part of your immune system. Antibodies stick to germs like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. This stops the germs from infecting your body's cells and tells the rest of the immune system to destroy the germs.1,2

Monoclonal antibodies are human-made proteins that work like the antibodies your body makes. Like your own antibodies, monoclonal antibodies lock on to specific targets. In the case of ovarian cancer, they lock onto cancer cells.1,3

Examples

Mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx (ElahereTM) is approved to treat relapsed folate receptor-alpha positive ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers.4,5

What are the possible side effects?

The most common side effects of Elahere include:5

  • Abnormal lab tests
  • Vision changes or dry eyes
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or stomach pain
  • Nerve pain
  • Decreased blood counts

Elahere has a boxed warning, the strictest warning from the FDA. It has this warning because it can cause severe eye problems.5

These are not all the possible side effects of Elahere. Talk to your doctor about what to expect when taking Elahere. Also, call your doctor if you have any changes that concern you when taking Elahere.

Other things to know

Elahere is not safe to take if you are trying to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.5

Before beginning treatment for ovarian cancer, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and any other drugs, vitamins, or supplements you take. This includes over-the-counter drugs.

For more information, read the full prescribing information for Elahere.

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