helpful article

[delia2]

Sznurkowski JJ. To Bev or Not to Bev during Ovarian Cancer Maintenance Therapy? Cancers (Basel). 2023 May 30;15(11):2980. doi: 10.3390/cancers15112980. PMID: 37296941; PMCID: PMC10251846.

I feel people are often wondering why they can’t have Avastin or PARPs again and this article gives good scientific answers about many results from trials. It doesn’t help me because I’m on third line chemo and this only covers first and second. But if your once only chance appeared to be budgetary on the NHS this justifies it medically.

[Carpediem68]

Hi

I chose to have Avastin with Olaparib after frontline as I was told Avastin would not be offered again regardless of whether I had it after frontline or not. I couldn't 'hold it over' in case of a recurrence (which is probably what I would have preferred to do). This was in 2022. I don't know what the rules are now.

[delia2 in reply to Carpediem68]

That’s too bad according to the article. But if you haven’t had a recurrence you’re doing well!

[candyapplegrey in reply to Carpediem68]

I'm interested that you got to choose. Are you in UK? I'm in London and I wasn't offered it even though I seem to fit the criteria in the article. Mind you, I found the article quite hard to understand. x

[delia2 in reply to candyapplegrey]

I didn’t get to choose except I rejected avastin during frontline because the benefit sounded minimal. I was put on a PARP after first recurrence and taken off after 3 years— no choice. I’m somatic brca1.

[candyapplegrey in reply to delia2]

Thanks, Delia. It looks like some people are allowed to stay on a PARP longer. I'm not BRCA so this might be why I don't qualify for Avastin. I think I may call Ovacome and ask. x

[Carpediem68 in reply to candyapplegrey]

Hi there

I'm BRCA1 and was given a choice of Olaparib on it's own (as per Solo1 trail) or with Avastin (as per Paola1 trial). Both are offered to BRCA patients I believe and/or those with HRD. I'm in London Imperial Trust. x

[candyapplegrey in reply to Carpediem68]

Oh ok - so it looks like you only get it if you're BRCA and I don't think I am. Paola1 trial - was that at your hospital? You sound much more together than me. I just had to look up HRD. x

[Sunsetime]

Thank you for sharing delia2 , I am due to have avastin introduced after surgery along with chemo and then with olaparib for maintenance. The paper makes interesting recommendations worth discussing with my oncologist before the treatment is introduced.

[Tealgirl7]

Very good article. There are many studies regarding this disease for sure. I am an 18-year survival of stage 4 and have had three frontline chemotherapies over the years. I started on a parp inhibitor almost 2 years ago. I am now in a study since September where they have added Avastin to the PARP. So far I am doing well.

It is a very complex disease and people respond differently to treatments for sure. I would definitely put faith in your team and move forward with whatever advice they give you. Things are changing constantly and the rules could be different down the road.

Wishing you the best.

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