International journal of molecular sciences
Mirvetuximab Soravtansine in the Treatment of Chemotherapy-Resistant Ovarian Cancer: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is a major cause of gynecological cancer mortality, frequently associated with platinum-resistant recurrences. Given the limited efficacy of conventional chemotherapy in this setting, alternative targeted therapeutics are needed. Mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV) is an antibody-drug conjugate designed to deliver the cytotoxic maytansinoid DM4 to folate receptor alpha (FRα)-overexpressing cells. This systematic review of PubMed, ClinicalKey, and SpringerLink databases (2019-2026) evaluates five publications across three clinical trials (one phase II, two phase III) encompassing 925 patients with platinum-resistant disease. Notably, the phase III MIRASOL trial demonstrated improved survival outcomes with MIRV over standard chemotherapy, extending median overall survival (16.46 vs. 12.75 months; HR 0.67) and progression-free survival (5.62 vs. 3.98 months; HR 0.65), with an objective response rate (ORR) of 42.3% versus 15.9%. Furthermore, the single-arm phase II SORAYA trial reported an ORR of 32.4% in pretreated patients, including those with prior PARP inhibitor and bevacizumab exposure. Although the preceding FORWARD I trial missed its primary endpoint in the unselected population, its high-FRα subgroup analysis revealed a clinical benefit that influenced subsequent biomarker-driven enrollment strategies. From a safety perspective, MIRV exhibited lower rates of severe neutropenia and anemia than chemotherapy, with toxicities primarily consisting of manageable, reversible ocular events. Ultimately, MIRV serves as a therapeutic option for platinum-resistant, FRα-positive ovarian cancer, offering survival advantages; however, rigorous biomarker-based screening remains necessary to optimize therapeutic outcomes.







