New and Novel Therapies for Gynecologic Cancers.

OBJECTIVE: To review recent therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of gynecologic malignancies.

DATA SOURCES: PubMed, FDA.gov, ASCO.org.

CONCLUSION: The landscape for treating gynecologic malignancies is rapidly changing. Maintenance therapy now exists for women with advanced ovarian cancer after completing chemotherapy for both newly diagnosed and platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Anti-angiogenic therapy has many applications in gynecologic malignancies. Immunotherapy can be used in certain situations for women with gynecologic malignancies.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Biologic agents and immunotherapy have distinct side-effect profiles that nurses need to be aware of to optimize patient care and outcomes.