New Treatment Approach for Ovarian Clear Cell Cancer

New Treatment Approach Shows Promise for Hard-to-Treat Ovarian Clear Cell Cancer

FCS Case Report Highlights Potential Treatment Strategy for Certain Patients with Chemotherapy-Resistant Ovarian Clear Cell Cancer

A case report conducted with participation from Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC (FCS), suggests that a combination of immunotherapy and targeted therapy may represent a promising treatment strategy for select patients whose ovarian clear cell cancer no longer responds to standard chemotherapy.

FCS medical oncologists and hematologists Shailesh J. Patel, MD and Michael J. Poiesz, MD, clinical oncology pharmacist Danielle E. Valcana, PharmD and clinical research coordinator Joshua J. Cook, M.S. DS, M.S. CRM, ACRP-PM, CCRC, all formerly of Woodlands Medical Specialists which joined FCS in May 2026, are co-authors of the study published in Gynecologic Oncology Reports. First author Nikhil S. Patel, BS contributed to the manuscript as part of his early research training under the mentorship of the study team while completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Florida. He is now a medical student at the Florida State University College of Medicine.

Findings were based on the case of a 39-year-old woman with an advanced form of ovarian clear cell carcinoma who achieved approximately 23 months of disease control with pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy that helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells, and axitinib, a targeted therapy that helps block a tumor’s blood supply.

“In recent years, a combination of targeted therapy and immunotherapy has shown encouraging results in multiple cancer types, including kidney and endometrial cancers, by attacking tumors in different ways at the same time,” said Dr. Poiesz. He noted that the patient experienced rapid symptomatic improvement within several weeks of initiating combination therapy, followed by sustained radiographic and metabolic response over an extended follow-up period.

Dr. Patel added, “In a setting with limited effective options, this case adds to the growing body of evidence supporting further investigation of combined VEGFR inhibition and immunotherapy in ovarian clear cell carcinoma.” Genomic profiling identified molecular alterations, including an ARID1A mutation, which may help researchers better understand which patients could benefit from this treatment approach.

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma is a rare type of ovarian cancer that is often linked to endometriosis. While many patients are diagnosed at an early stage, advanced or recurrent disease can be difficult to treat because it may not respond as well to standard chemotherapy as other forms of ovarian cancer.

FCS provides ongoing access to more than 180 clinical trials within 29 FCS clinics statewide and early-phase Drug Development Units (DDUs) located in Sarasota and Central Florida. Research conducted at FCS is made possible in partnership with Sarah Cannon Research Institute, one of the world’s leading oncology research organizations conducting community-based clinical trials.

Led by FCS clinicians and research professionals serving the Pensacola area, this publication reflects FCS’ unified statewide commitment to clinical innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration and advancing cancer care. View the full article here:  Durable response to pembrolizumab plus axitinib in platinum-resistant ovarian clear cell carcinoma: A case report