Key clinical point: The MEK inhibitor trametinib proved more effective than standard care for low-grade serous carcinomas, but another MEK inhibitor, binimetinib, did not.

Major finding: In one study, the median progression-free survival was 13 months for patients treated with trametinib and 7.2 months for those who received standard care (P < .0001). In another study, the median progression-free survival was 11.2 months for patients treated with binimetinib and 14.1 months for those who received physician’s choice of chemotherapy (P = .752).

Study details: A phase 2/3 trial of trametinib vs. standard care in 260 patients with previously treated low-grade serous carcinomas of the ovary or peritoneum and a phase 3 trial of binimetinib vs. chemotherapy in 341 patients with previously treated low-grade serous carcinomas of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or peritoneum.

Disclosures: The binimetinib study was sponsored by Pfizer. The trametinib study was sponsored by NRG Oncology and the UK National Cancer Research Institute. The presenters disclosed relationships with a range of companies, including Medscape, owned by the parent organization that also owns MDedge News.