Key Facts about Ovarian Cancer

Learn more about a disease that over 200,000 women are living with in the United States.1

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What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that may form in the ovaries or in the fallopian tubes.
 

Ovarian cancers are typically grouped into these categories:

  • Epithelial ovarian cancer: Forms in the outer surface of the ovaries, and accounts for approximately 90% of all diagnosed cases. Fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer are similar and treated the same way as epithelial ovarian cancer, so they also fall into this category

  • Non-epithelial ovarian cancer: Examples include germ cell ovarian cancer, stromal cell ovarian cancer, small cell carcinoma of the ovary, and ovarian carcinosarcoma

~20k

women in the US will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year1

8th most

common cancer among women worldwide,2 and 6th most common cause of cancer death among women in the US3

1 in 87

is the risk for a woman getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime4

The importance of biomarker testing

 

When it comes to ovarian cancer, biomarker testing can be beneficial. Why? Because almost half of all ovarian cancers are positive for a biomarker called homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). By testing for biomarkers like HRD, you and your doctor can learn more about your cancer, and what treatments might be right for you.

 

The most common biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer are HRD and BRCA.

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Fast facts: HRD

HRD, or homologous recombination deficiency, occurs when cells have trouble repairing their damaged DNA. If you test positive for HRD, this means your cancer cells have a harder time repairing themselves. This knowledge may help predict the way your tumor may progress and help your team determine the most effective treatment option.

 

How to get tested:

HRD testing is performed on a sample of your tumor. This tissue sample can be taken during surgery for your ovarian cancer or through a biopsy.

BRCA icon

Fast facts: BRCA

BRCA, or BReast CAncer, refers to a set of genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2. Mutations in BRCA genes increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer, but having a BRCA mutation does not mean you will develop ovarian cancer. BRCA mutations are one potential genetic cause of HRD, but you can be HRD-positive and not BRCA-positive.

 

How to get tested:

BRCA testing can usually be done during an office visit and consists of a blood or saliva sample taken by a healthcare professional.

FIRST-LINE MAINTENANCE TREATMENT

ZEJULA is used as a first-line maintenance treatment for women with and without a positive test for HRD or BRCA

ZEJULA is a prescription medicine used in adults as a first-line maintenance treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer who are in complete or partial response to platinum-based chemotherapy. It is not known if ZEJULA is safe and effective in children.

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Wondering what maintenance therapy is?

Find out the "What," "When," "Why," and “Where” of this treatment option.

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Considering ZEJULA?

Here are the steps to take next.

(Hint: It involves talking to your healthcare team!)

Approved Uses & Safety Info

Approved Uses

ZEJULA is a prescription medicine used for the:

  • maintenance treatment of adults with advanced ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer. ZEJULA is used after the cancer has responded (complete or partial response) to treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy.
  • maintenance treatment of adults with a certain type of inherited (germline) abnormal BRCA gene with ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or primary peritoneal cancer that comes back. ZEJULA is used after the cancer has responded (complete or partial response) to treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy. Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that ZEJULA is right for you.  

 

It is not known if ZEJULA is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

ZEJULA may cause serious side effects, including:

 

Bone marrow problems called Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) or a type of blood cancer called Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Some people who have ovarian cancer and who have received previous treatment with chemotherapy or certain other medicines for their cancer have developed MDS or AML during treatment with ZEJULA. MDS or AML may lead to death.

 

Symptoms of low blood cell counts (low red blood cells, low white blood cells, and low platelets) are common during treatment with ZEJULA. They can be a sign of serious bone marrow problems, including MDS or AML. These symptoms may include the following:

  • Weakness
  • Feeling tired
  • Weight loss
  • Frequent infections
  • Fever
  • Shortness of breath
  • Blood in urine or stool
  • Bruising or bleeding more easily


Your doctor will do blood tests to check your blood cell counts before treatment with ZEJULA. You will be tested weekly for the first month of treatment with ZEJULA, monthly for the next 11 months of treatment, and as needed afterward.

 

High blood pressure is common during treatment with ZEJULA, and it can become serious. Your doctor will check your blood pressure and heart rate at least weekly for the first two months, then monthly for the first year, and as needed thereafter during your treatment with ZEJULA.

 

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a condition that affects the brain and may happen during treatment with ZEJULA. If you have headache, vision changes, confusion, or seizure, with or without high blood pressure, please contact your doctor.

 

Before starting to take ZEJULA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • Have heart problems
  • Have liver problems
  • Have high blood pressure
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. ZEJULA can harm your unborn baby and may cause loss of pregnancy (miscarriage)
    • If you are able to become pregnant, your doctor should perform a pregnancy test before you start treatment with ZEJULA
    • If you are able to become pregnant, you should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with ZEJULA and for 6 months after taking the last dose of ZEJULA
    • You should tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed
    • ZEJULA may harm your baby. You should not breastfeed your baby during treatment with ZEJULA and for 1 month after taking the last dose of ZEJULA


Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take,
 including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

 

The most common side effects of ZEJULA include the following:

  • Nausea
  • Tiredness
  • Constipation
  • Pain in your muscles and back
  • Pain in the stomach area
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rash
  • Diarrhea
  • Cough
  • Dizziness
  • Changes in the amount or color of your urine
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Low levels of magnesium in the blood


If you have certain side effects, then your doctor may change your dose of ZEJULA, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment with ZEJULA.

 

These are not all the possible side effects of ZEJULA. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

 

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information for ZEJULA.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

  1. National Cancer Institute. Cancer of the Ovary - Cancer Stat Facts. SEER. Published 2018. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/ovary.html

  2. Cancer Facts and Figures 2024. American Cancer Society. Published 2024. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2024/2024-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf

  3. Bray F, Laversanne M, Sung H, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA: A cancer journal for clinicians. 2024;74(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21834 Note: This global ranking excludes NMSC (Non-melanoma skin cancer).

  4. American Cancer Society. Ovarian Cancer Statistics | How Common is Ovarian Cancer. www.cancer.org. Revised January 19, 2024. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
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