Results from a large international clinical trial indicate that adding a drug called relacorilant (Lifyorli) to chemotherapy (nab-paclitaxel) helped patients live longer compared with chemotherapy alone. The findings were presented at the 2026 Society of Gynecologic Oncology Annual Meeting and published in The Lancet.
Lifyorli is a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, which means it blocks the effects of cortisol, a natural stress hormone. By blocking this pathway, Lifyorli can make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy, helping nab‑paclitaxel work better.
The phase 3 ROSELLA study included 381 patients treated at cancer centers around the world. All participants had ovarian cancer that had stopped responding to platinum-based chemotherapy and had already received one to three prior treatments.
Patients were randomly assigned to receive either standard chemotherapy (nab-paclitaxel) alone or the same chemotherapy combined with relacorilant, an oral medication designed to make cancer cells more sensitive to treatment.
After about two years of follow-up, patients who received the combination lived longer than those who received chemotherapy alone. Median overall survival was 16 months with relacorilant plus chemotherapy, compared with 11.9 months with chemotherapy alone—an improvement of just over four months. At 18 months, 46% of patients in the combination group were still alive, compared with 27% in the chemotherapy-only group.
Importantly, the benefit was seen across many different groups of patients, including those with more aggressive disease. Researchers also noted that this treatment does not require special biomarker testing, making it a potential option for a wide range of patients.
The combination is already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who have received prior treatments, including bevacizumab (Avastin).
Side effects were similar between the two groups. The most common side effects in the combination group included low white blood cell counts, anemia, fatigue, and nausea. No new safety concerns were identified.
What This Means for Patients
For people living with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, treatment options have historically been limited, and outcomes have been difficult. This study offers evidence of a new option that can extend survival without adding significant new side effects.
Because the treatment does not require specialized biomarker testing, more patients may be eligible to receive it. The fact that it is already FDA-approved also means it may be available outside of clinical trials.
Patients who have already received prior therapies, including bevacizumab, may want to ask their care team whether this combination could be appropriate for them. As with any cancer treatment, decisions will depend on individual factors such as prior treatments, overall health, and treatment goals.
This study represents an important step forward and may help expand the number of effective options available for patients facing this challenging stage of ovarian cancer.
Reference:
Lorusso D, Gladieff L, O’Malley D et al. Overall survival with relacorilant and nab-paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (ROSELLA): a phase 3 randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 2026; 407, 1513-1524
