INTRODUCTION: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth most common cancer in women. Unfortunately, more than 70% of cases are detected at an advanced stage with a risk of recurrence, after front line therapy, of over 75%. The need for new therapeutic strategies is extremely high. AREAS COVERED: The development status and the possible role of specific immunotherapy of abagovomab are discussed in the context of the possible therapeutic options for maintenance therapy in advanced OC. An overview of abagovomab, generation and mechanism of action, Phase I/II results and the status of the Phase II/III ongoing trial is given. EXPERT OPINION: Abagovomab stimulates the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated immune response in the studies conducted to date. In the proof of concept (POC) study abagovomab prolonged overall survival in those OC recurrent patients who showed an immune response. Abagovomab has an excellent safety and tolerability profile. These characteristics make abagovomab an optimal candidate for a maintenance treatment for OC patients after frontline therapy. The final results of the Phase II/III pivotal study evaluating abagovomab in this setting will be available in the first half of 2011.
