Elahere Linked to Vision Loss in Over Half of Ovarian Cancer Patients

• A new study reveals that over 55% of patients treated with Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine) for ovarian cancer experienced vision loss due to corneal damage.
• The real-world study of 18 women found corneal toxicity signs in 69% of eyes, prompting researchers to advise proactive eye care and monitoring.
• Dosage adjustments and strong topical corticosteroids improved symptoms, with vision returning to normal in 65% of affected eyes.
• The drugmaker recommends pre-treatment eye exams and eye drop use during therapy to mitigate potential ocular side effects.

A recent study has indicated that Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine), a drug approved in 2022 for ovarian cancer treatment, is associated with vision loss in more than half of the patients who use it. The research, conducted by Stanford University, highlights the risk of corneal toxicity linked to the medication.

The study, presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology's annual meeting, involved 18 women (36 eyes) undergoing mirvetuximab treatment for approximately six months. The findings revealed that over 55% of these patients experienced decreased vision as a result of cornea damage. Furthermore, 69% of the eyes examined showed signs of corneal toxicity.

The FDA label for Elahere already warns of potential corneal toxicity, which prompted the Stanford University researchers to conduct this real-world study on the drug's ocular toxicity. The drugmaker advises patients to consult an eye care professional before starting treatment and to use eye drops before and during treatment.

Researchers found that the use of strong topical corticosteroids and adjustments to the dosage or spacing of treatments significantly improved symptoms. Vision returned to normal in 65% of eyes, and cornea toxicity significantly improved in almost all eyes. These findings offer guidance on optimizing care for affected patients.