Ovarian Cancer Drug Ubamatamab Showed Promise in Trial

Patients with recurrent, hard-to-treat cancer saw tumor reduction in a recent study of the investigational medication.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Cancer

Ovarian Cancer Drug Ubamatamab Showed Promise in Trial

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals reported that its investigational drug, ubamatamab, demonstrated an objective response rate of 73% in patients with heavily pre-treated low-grade serous ovarian cancer. The company plans to advance the treatment into a Phase 3 trial.

Why it matters

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer is a specific variant that typically responds poorly to standard chemotherapy, leaving patients with few viable treatment options. This study suggests a new way to target the cancer that could eventually fill this significant care gap.

In a clinical trial of 19 patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer, researchers observed a 73% objective response rate among those receiving the 800 mg dose. Patients in this cohort experienced a median progression-free survival of 11 months and a median duration of response of 9 months.

The players

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

A biotechnology company based in Tarrytown, N.Y., that develops antibody-based therapies for various serious diseases.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The federal agency responsible for evaluating the safety and efficacy of new drugs before they are approved for public use.

The details

Ubamatamab functions as a MUC16xCD3 bispecific antibody designed to bridge MUC16 proteins on cancer cells with CD3-expressing T cells in the immune system. By linking these cells together, the drug directs the body's own immune response to recognize and attack the tumor. In the trial, 90% of participants experienced cytokine release syndrome, a common immune-mediated side effect, while 21% reported serious treatment-emergent adverse events.

Timeline

  1. October 1, 2026: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals announced the initial clinical trial results for ubamatamab.

Health Landscape

This development represents a potential shift in the treatment of low-grade serous ovarian cancer, a variant that accounts for 10% of serous ovarian cases and carries a median overall survival of 7 years. It follows the growing trend of utilizing bispecific antibodies to redirect T cells against solid tumors.

Patients currently managing low-grade serous ovarian cancer should discuss with their oncologist whether participation in upcoming clinical trials may be an appropriate option. Since these results are preliminary, it is important to review all current treatment alternatives with a specialist.

The takeaway

This study highlights a potential new immune-based approach for patients facing limited options for recurrent ovarian cancer. If you have been diagnosed with this condition, consider asking your oncologist about how emerging bispecific antibody research may influence future treatment decisions.

What happens next

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is expected to hold discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding these findings in the coming months, followed by the launch of a confirmatory randomized Phase 3 clinical trial.

Further reading

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