Blog

Bar Levy: ASCO 2025 – Latest Gynecologic Cancer Abstracts and Public Health and Patient Advocacy perspective

Photo: Depositphotos

Jun 3, 2025, 11:29

Bar Levy: ASCO 2025 – Latest Gynecologic Cancer Abstracts and Public Health and Patient Advocacy perspective

Bar Levy, Founder and CEO of HaBait Shel Bar, posted on LinkedIn:

“ASCO 2025 – Latest Gynecologic Cancer Abstracts and Public Health and Patient Advocacy perspective

This year at ASCO25, several important studies in ovarian and cervical cancers were presented. While only few were groundbreaking, they offer valuable insights—especially through public health and patient advocacy lens.

Quick summary of findings

ROSELLA Trial: A rare and exciting signal—relacorilant + nab-paclitaxel demonstrated improved PFS and OS in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer!!
OUTBACK PROs: Long-term side effects and sexual dysfunction persist years after cervical cancer treatment—underscoring survivorship gaps.
KEYNOTE-A18 (final analysis): Pembrolizumab added to chemoradiotherapy improved survival in locally advanced cervical cancer.
TRUST Trial: Primary surgery showed better outcomes than interval surgery in fit, advanced ovarian cancer patients treated in high-volume expert centers.
FIRST Trial: Dostarlimab + niraparib added a small PFS benefit in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer, without OS improvement.

I must say, that the ROSELLA study deserves special attention. Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer remains one of the most treatment-refractory conditions in gynecologic oncology.

Seeing a statistically significant improvement in both progression-free and overall survival—with an acceptable safety profile—is a rare and hopeful outcome in this space. While not curative, this may offer a much-needed new option for patients with only few alternatives.

The combination of studies, presented here in Chicago this morning, reminds us to look not only at statistical significance but also into the real-life experiences of patients:

We need stronger survivorship care systems in cancer care. In my opinion, like offered after cardiac event.
We have to push for better patient-reported outcomes and use the results in policy decision.
There is hope. Even for the most morbid patients like PROC patients. I was so moved by the loud applause sounded by the audience after the ROSELLA trial was presented.

That’s why, us patient advocates, have to be in the same room with the doctors. We have to be updated by the scientific news, we have to get prepared for the advancements and other implications like reimbursement processes or policy making. We have to share the hope with the patients being helped by us.

Please note that I am not a medical doctor, and the post reflect my personal opinion.”

Read OncoDaily’s Special Articles about ASCO 2025:

Highlights from ASCO 2025 Day 1

Highlights from ASCO 2025 Day 2

Highlights from ASCO 2025 Day 3