Experts Address Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer at ESMO Asia

At the ESMO Asia Congress 2025 in Singapore, experts convened at an AbbVie-sponsored symposium to discuss the pressing issue of platinum-resistant advanced ovarian cancer. The symposium highlighted the urgent need for innovative therapeutic strategies to address this challenging condition, which continues to pose significant hurdles in patient care.

Redefining Platinum Resistance

During the event, Clinical Assistant Professor Chan Junjie Jack, Senior Consultant at the National Cancer Centre Singapore, emphasized the critical need to rethink existing definitions of platinum resistance. “Platinum-resistant advanced ovarian cancer remains a significant unmet medical need in Singapore and around the world,” he stated. This form of ovarian cancer is particularly difficult to treat, with a poor prognosis, underscoring the necessity for effective and tolerable treatment options.

In Singapore, ovarian cancer ranks as the fifth most common cancer, and it is the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. In 2022, the country reported approximately 325,000 new cases of ovarian cancer. Alarmingly, projections indicate that the number of deaths due to ovarian cancer could reach 351,000 by 2050. The challenge is compounded by the fact that 70% of women with ovarian cancer eventually develop resistance to standard chemotherapy, leading to a decline in therapeutic benefits over successive treatment lines.

Exploring New Treatment Modalities

The symposium also delved into the limitations of current treatment options available to patients once they become platinum ineligible. These options tend to offer modest efficacy and are often associated with significant tolerability challenges. Most patients present with advanced disease, typically undergoing surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of these treatments diminishes over time, impacting patients’ quality of life due to persistent symptoms such as nausea and fatigue.

Discussions focused on the potential role of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) in addressing platinum-resistant advanced ovarian cancer. These new treatments aim to expand the therapeutic window for patients, providing hope where traditional approaches have faltered. Several ADCs are currently in late-stage development, with the potential to offer improved treatment options in the future.

Kenneth Sim, MD, Director of ASEAN Oncology Medical Affairs at AbbVie, expressed the urgency of introducing new therapies. “When cancer cells stop responding to chemotherapy, patients may feel hopeless about their journey. The data presented today reinforces the importance of new therapies for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer,” he said. AbbVie remains committed to advancing innovative treatments that aim to enhance the lives of patients facing these difficult-to-treat cancers.

As the medical community continues to grapple with the complexities of ovarian cancer, the discussions at the symposium underscore the need for a collaborative approach to redefine treatment paradigms and explore novel therapies. The insights gained from this event may pave the way for transformative changes in the management of platinum-resistant advanced ovarian cancer, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.

For more information about AbbVie and its oncology initiatives, visit AbbVie Oncology.