Clinical Trials for Ovarian Cancer: Hope, Options, and Survivor Perspective

For many facing ovarian cancer, the words clinical trial can feel intimidating or confusing. Yet clinical trials for ovarian cancer are the foundation of nearly every new treatment available today. They offer hope for survivors, provide options when standard treatment options fall short, and move science forward so that future generations can live longer, healthier lives.

In this episode of Teal Talk – An Ovarian Cancer Podcast, gynecologic oncologist Dr. Debra Richardson, MD, FACS, FACOG with OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center – Gynecologic Cancer Clinic and survivor Rhonda Reeve share their unique journey with clinical trials, dispelling myths and offering both professional and personal perspectives.

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What are clinical trials and why do they matter?

Clinical trials are carefully designed studies that test new treatments, determine safe doses, and compare emerging therapies to standard care. They are the bridge between medical discovery and patient care. Without them, advances like targeted therapies, immunotherapies, or maintenance drugs such as PARP inhibitors would never make it to patients.

Dr. Richardson shared:

At a high level, we think about three phases of clinical trials. Phase one is about finding a safe and effective dose. Phase two looks at how effective the drug is. And phase three compares the new agent against the standard of care.

How clinical trials work for ovarian cancer

Clinical trials are structured into phases, each serving a unique purpose:

• Phase 1: These early-stage studies test new treatments in people for the first time. The main goal is to find a safe dose and understand potential side effects. While the number of participants is small, these trials set the foundation for later studies.
• Phase 2: Once safety is established, phase 2 trials involve more patients to see whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness—does the cancer shrink, does remission last longer, does quality of life improve?
• Phase 3: These larger trials compare the new treatment directly to the current standard of care. If the new therapy proves more effective or safer, it may eventually become the next standard treatment for ovarian cancer.

Clinical trials also have eligibility criteria, which can be based on cancer type, stage, prior treatments, or even specific genetic markers. This ensures that results are meaningful and that participants are kept as safe as possible.

Myth-busting: Many worry about “getting a placebo.” Dr. Richardson clarified:

It would be unethical to withhold active treatment. If it’s a placebo-controlled trial, it means you’re still getting standard of care, with a placebo alongside.

For patients, this means that joining a trial is not about “doing nothing”—it’s about accessing either the best available standard care or promising new options.

A survivor’s experience: Rhonda’s story

For survivors like Rhonda, clinical trials are not about being a “last resort.” They’re about creating possibilities, extending time, and contributing to the advancement of science.

She recalled:

“When they asked me about the trial, I thought, there’s these percentages they gave me, but a trial might give me a lot more years to live. And we don’t know, but it doesn’t hurt to try.”

Rhonda’s story highlights how trials can provide hope in moments of uncertainty:

• Tumor vaccine trial: She joined a study that used her own tumor cells to create a vaccine. This kept her disease under control (NED, or no evidence of disease) for 12 months.
• Immunotherapy and maintenance trials: Later, she joined another study that combined vaccines with immunotherapy drugs, testing whether the combination could provide even longer remission.
• Targeted therapy: Eventually, she benefited from a PARP inhibitor—an option that wasn’t even available when she was first diagnosed, but became possible because of earlier trials.

Her takeaway is clear:

“If we don’t do clinical trials, we will not move forward. We have to have people that are willing to do it, even if it may not come with the answer they want at the end.”

What patients should know before joining a trial

If you are considering a clinical trial, it’s important to know:

• Participation is voluntary: You can leave a trial at any time, for any reason. Nothing is binding.
• You receive added support: Clinical trial participants are monitored closely. This often means more frequent lab work, imaging, and doctor visits, which can be reassuring.
• There are real-world benefits: Even if a new treatment doesn’t completely stop the cancer, it may extend remission, reduce side effects, or improve quality of life.

Rhonda’s story also illustrates another important point: timing matters. Some treatments may work best earlier in the journey, not only when other options run out. Talking to your doctor about trials early can open more doors.

Clinical trials build a stronger community

Beyond individual outcomes, clinical trials fuel progress for the entire ovarian cancer community. They are the reason we have more treatment options today than ever before, and they continue to shape the future of care.

Dr. Richardson explained:

“For adults, only about 7–8% of patients with cancer go on clinical trial. If we could double that, think about how much faster we could get better drugs available for anybody dealing with cancer.”

Rhonda echoed this point:

“Even if it doesn’t work, they know they can mark that off and move on to something different. That information helps the next person.”

Why participation matters for the ovarian cancer community

• Collective impact: Each participant contributes valuable data. Even when a treatment doesn’t work for one patient, it provides insights that shape future studies.
• Earlier access to treatments: Many patients assume trials are for “last chance” situations, but trials often welcome newly diagnosed patients. Early participation may improve results.
• Removing barriers: While logistics like travel and cost can be concerns, support is available. NOCC offers financial assistance, and many trial sponsors cover treatment-related costs.

The truth is that clinical trials don’t just impact one person—they help shape the standard of care for generations to come.

Take this with you

Clinical trials for ovarian cancer are more than research studies—they are bridges to hope, longer survival, and improved care. Survivors like Rhonda demonstrate that these trials are not about last chances but about courage and progress.

As Dr. Richardson emphasized:

“I’m really passionate about clinical trials because I feel like this is our best chance of turning patients with ovarian cancer into either cures or very long-term survivors.”

Together, through participation, education, and community support, we can change the landscape of ovarian cancer for today and for the future.

Frequently asked questions about clinical trials for ovarian cancer

Patients and caregivers often have important questions about clinical trials — from safety and costs to who can participate. These answers can help clear up common concerns and empower you to make informed choices about whether a clinical trial might be right for you.