New FDA Test Helps Ovarian Cancer Patients Get Treatment

Women facing one of ovarian cancer's toughest challenges just gained a powerful new tool for hope.

Labcorp now offers a nationwide FDA-approved diagnostic test that identifies patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer who qualify for KEYTRUDA, a newly approved treatment shown to improve survival. The test became available across the country this week, just two months after the FDA approved both the diagnostic and the therapy.

The timing matters deeply. About 80% of ovarian cancer patients see their disease return after initial treatment, and many develop resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. When that happens, options become scarce and outcomes grow dire.

Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is considered incurable, with existing treatments offering only limited and short-lived benefits. The new KEYTRUDA treatment represents the first FDA-approved PD-1 inhibitor available for these patients, giving them access to a therapy that has been shown to reduce disease progression and extend overall survival.

The companion diagnostic test works by detecting PD-L1 expression in ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer cells. Patients whose tumors test positive with a Combined Positive Score of 1 or higher may be eligible for the new treatment regimen, which combines KEYTRUDA with paclitaxel, with or without bevacizumab.

Labcorp prepared for this moment by participating in early validation training before the approval. That foresight meant the company could launch nationwide access immediately, ensuring patients wouldn't face delays in getting tested.

Clinical trial results showed the treatment combination delivered statistically significant improvements in both progression-free survival and overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone. For patients who have already survived one or two prior treatment regimens, these results offer tangible hope.

Why This Inspires

Behind every diagnostic test is a woman who has already fought through surgery, chemotherapy, and the emotional toll of recurrence. This test doesn't just identify eligible patients. It opens a door that was previously closed, connecting women to a treatment option that didn't exist before.

The speed matters too. In platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, time is precious. By making the test available nationwide within weeks of approval, Labcorp ensured that location wouldn't determine access to potentially life-extending care.

Thousands of women facing this diagnosis now have a clear path to a treatment designed specifically for their situation.