Elahere is a brand-name prescription drug. It’s FDA-approved for use in adults to treat certain types of ovarian cancer. This drug is approved under the FDA’s accelerated approval process. For more information, see “FDA approval” just below.

Note: Throughout this article, the term “ovarian cancer” describes cancers of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or peritoneum. Cancer of the fallopian tubes or peritoneum can resemble ovarian cancer and is treated in a similar way. So they’re often referred to as ovarian cancer.

For details about Elahere’s use in treating ovarian cancer, see the “Elahere uses” section below.

Drug details

The active ingredient in Elahere is mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx.* It belongs to a class of drugs called antibody-drug conjugates. For details about this drug class, see the “How Elahere works” section below.

Elahere comes as a solution in a single-use vial. It’s given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. You’ll receive Elahere infusions in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office.

Elahere is available in one strength: 100 milligrams (mg).

* The reason “-gynx” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.

FDA approval

In 2022, the FDA approved Elahere to treat certain forms of ovarian cancer. It’s important to note this drug received accelerated approval from the FDA.

The FDA approves a drug typically only after all the drug’s clinical trials are complete. However, in certain situations, the FDA may approve a drug before all the trials are finished. Early approval may occur with a drug used for a serious condition with few treatment options, such as ovarian cancer.

Accelerated approval for Elahere was based on the results from early clinical trials. Once the additional trial or trials are complete, the FDA will decide whether to grant full approval.

Effectiveness

For information about the effectiveness of Elahere, see the “Elahere uses” section below.

Elahere contains the active ingredient mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx.* It’s a biologic drug and available only as a brand-name medication. Elahere isn’t currently available in a biosimilar form.

A biologic is a drug made from living cells. Other drugs are typically made from chemicals. Chemical-based drugs can have generics. A generic is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

Biologics can’t be copied exactly. However, it’s possible to make a drug that’s similar to the active drug in the brand-name medication. This is called a biosimilar instead of a generic. Biosimilars are considered to be as safe and effective as the original brand-name drug.

And, as with generics, biosimilars often cost less than brand-name drugs.

* The reason “-gynx” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Elahere to treat certain conditions.

Elahere for certain ovarian cancers (including fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer)

Elahere is FDA-approved to treat certain types of ovarian cancer in adults. Note that this drug is approved under the FDA’s accelerated approval process. To learn more, see “FDA approval” in the “What is Elahere?” section above.

Specifically, Elahere is used to treat:

  • Epithelial ovarian cancer. This type of cancer grows in the ovaries, which are the organs that produce eggs in females.* The term “epithelial” means the cancer occurs in the outer lining of the ovaries.
  • Fallopian tube cancer. This type of cancer grows in the fallopian tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus.
  • Primary peritoneal cancer. This is cancer of the peritoneum, which is the layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen. The term “primary” means the peritoneal cancer started in the peritoneum.

Note: Cancers of the fallopian tube and peritoneum often resemble cancer of the ovaries. They’re also treated in a similar way. All the above cancers are referred to as ovarian cancer.

For Elahere use, the ovarian cancer needs to meet the following conditions:

  • The cancer has been treated with up to three types of chemotherapy.
  • The cancer has come back or has not decreased after treatment with a platinum-based chemotherapy drug, such as cisplatin or carboplatin. Doctors may refer to this condition as “platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.”
  • The cancer has high levels of a protein called folate receptor-alpha (FRalpha). Doctors may refer to this condition as “FRalpha-positive ovarian cancer.” For details, see “FRalpha explained” below.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Ovarian cancer explained

Ovarian cancer describes cancer of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or peritoneum.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer can include:

To find out more about ovarian cancer, talk with your doctor. You can also visit our cancer hub.

FRalpha explained

Elahere is used to treat ovarian cancer that has high levels of the FRalpha protein. This protein sits on the surface of cells and helps them grow and divide.

FRalpha proteins are seen more commonly on certain cancer cells, such as ovarian cancer cells. The reason for this isn’t fully understood. However, its high levels on cancer cells serve as a target for ovarian cancer treatments, such as Elahere. This is a targeted therapy for ovarian cancer. To learn more, see the “How Elahere works” section below.

Before you start Elahere treatment, your doctor will order a biopsy. This procedure removes a small portion of your tumor (a mass of cancer cells). They’ll use this test to check the cancer for FRalpha proteins.

If the cancer has high levels of FRalpha protein, your doctor may recommend Elahere as a treatment option.

Effectiveness for ovarian cancer

Clinical trials have shown Elahere to be effective for treating certain ovarian cancers. For more information about how the drug performed in clinical trials, you can visit the drug manufacturer’s website.

If you’d like to know more about Elahere’s uses and effectiveness, talk with your doctor.

Elahere and children

Elahere is not approved for use in children. Clinical trials of the drug only included adults. It’s not known whether Elahere is safe or effective in children.

Elahere is used to treat certain types of ovarian cancer in adults. To learn more about the different types of ovarian cancer it’s used to treat, see the “Elahere uses” section above.

Your doctor may prescribe certain drugs to help prevent specific side effects from Elahere. Examples of these side effects and the medications doctors may recommend for them include the ones below.

To help prevent serious eye problems.* Medications your doctor may prescribe to help prevent eye problems from Elahere treatment include:

  • a preservative-free lubricating eye drop, such as polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol (Systane Ultra PF)
  • a corticosteroid eye drop, such as prednisolone (Omnipred, Pred Forte, others)

To help prevent nausea and vomiting. Your doctor may prescribe an IV or oral antiemetic (a drug that eases nausea or vomiting), such as ondansetron.

To help prevent allergic reactions.† Medications your doctor may prescribe to help prevent these possible side effects include:

If you have questions about receiving Elahere with other medications, talk with your doctor. And for detailed information about Elahere side effects, see the “Elahere side effects” section below.

* Elahere has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Elahere precautions” section below.
† For details about allergic reaction and Elahere, see “Allergic reaction” in the “Elahere side effects” section below.

As with all medications, the cost of Elahere can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan and your location. It also depends on the cost of your visit to a healthcare professional to receive doses of the drug.

Before approving coverage for Elahere, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for Elahere, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Elahere, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A patient assistance program for Elahere is available. It’s for people with no insurance or not enough insurance. The drug’s manufacturer also has support services for people with insurance. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 833-352-4373 or visit the program website.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Generic or biosimilar form

Elahere is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s a biologic drug and isn’t currently available as a biosimilar.

Biologic drugs are made from living cells. Other drugs are typically made from chemicals. Chemical-based drugs can have generics. A generic is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

A biosimilar is similar but not identical to the active drug in the brand-name medication. That’s because it isn’t possible to make an exact copy of a biologic. However, biosimilars are considered as safe and effective as the original brand-name biologic.

Biosimilars and generics often cost less than brand-name drugs.

The Elahere dosage your doctor prescribes for ovarian cancer* will depend on several factors. These include:

  • your adjusted ideal body weight (AIBW)†
  • the side effects you may have

The following information describes dosages that are commonly given or recommended for ovarian cancer. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you.

* Elahere is used to treat ovarian cancer, which includes cancer of the fallopian tubes and peritoneal cancer. For details, see the “Elahere uses” section above.
† AIBW is measured in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). Your doctor will calculate your AIBW using your weight, height, age, and biological sex assigned at birth.

Drug forms and strengths

Elahere comes as a solution in a single-use vial. It’s given as an IV infusion by a healthcare professional. You’ll receive your Elahere infusions in a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office.

Elahere comes in one strength of 100 milligrams (mg). Each vial of the drug contains 5 mg of Elahere per milliliter (mg/mL) of solution.

Dosage for certain ovarian cancers

Elahere is given in treatment cycles for ovarian cancer. Each cycle is 21 days (3 weeks) long. You’ll receive one infusion of the drug per cycle. Your doctor will recommend the total number of treatment cycles you’ll need.

Each dose of Elahere is 6 mg/kg based on your AIBW. For example, if your doctor calculates your AIBW as 77 kg (about 169 lb), you’ll receive 5,000 mg of the drug per infusion.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss an appointment to receive an Elahere infusion, call your doctor right away to reschedule.

To help make sure that you don’t miss an infusion appointment, try setting an appointment reminder on your phone.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Elahere is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Elahere is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Elahere can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while using Elahere. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Elahere, talk with your doctor. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Elahere, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Elahere. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or view Elahere’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Elahere can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor.

* For more information about allergic reaction and Elahere, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Elahere aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

  • Peripheral neuropathy (a type of nerve damage). Symptoms can include:
    • muscle cramps, twitching, or weakness
    • numbness, pain, or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • Lung problems, such as pneumonitis (inflammation of the air sacs in your lungs). Symptoms can include:
    • cough
    • shortness of breath
    • fever or chills
  • Bowel obstruction (blockage of the small or large intestine). Symptoms can include:
    • pain or swelling in your abdomen
    • loss of appetite
    • diarrhea
    • nausea or vomiting
  • Ascites (fluid buildup in your abdomen). Symptoms can include:
    • swelling of your legs and feet
    • pain or swelling in your abdomen
    • indigestion (pain in the upper abdomen)
  • Low level of certain white blood cells. This condition may not cause symptoms but can be detected with a blood test.
  • Serious eye problems.* Symptoms can include:
    • eye pain
    • dry eyes
    • blurred vision
  • Severe allergic reaction.†

* Elahere has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is a serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Elahere precautions” section below.
† For details about allergic reaction and Elahere, see “Allergic reaction” just below.

ALLERGIC REACTION

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction from Elahere. This was a less common effect in clinical trials of this drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Elahere, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency

There are no known interactions between Elahere and alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to drink during Elahere treatment.

Elahere can interact with several other medications.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe. Drug-condition interactions can also cause certain effects. For information about these interactions, see the “Elahere precautions” section below.

Elahere and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Elahere. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Elahere.

Before receiving Elahere, talk with your doctor. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Types of drugs that may interact with Elahere include:

  • The antibiotic drug clarithromycin. This drug is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. Using Elahere while taking clarithromycin could increase your risk of side effects with Elahere.*
  • The antifungal drug itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura). This drug is used to treat infections caused by fungi. Using Elahere while taking itraconazole could increase your risk of side effects with Elahere.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor.

* For details about side effects from Elahere, see the “Elahere side effects” section above.

Elahere and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Elahere. However, talk with your doctor before taking herbs, vitamins, or supplements during Elahere treatment. They can determine whether it’s safe for you to take them.

Elahere and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Elahere. If you have questions about eating certain foods with Elahere, talk with your doctor.

You’ll receive Elahere as an IV infusion from a healthcare professional. An infusion is an injection of the drug into a vein that’s given over a period of time. You’ll typically go to a hospital, clinic, or doctor’s office to receive your infusions.

When it’s given

Elahere infusions are typically given once every 21 days (3 weeks).

Your first infusion of Elahere will last for 90 minutes to 3 hours. Each infusion after this may last 1 to 2 hours. To learn more about Elahere infusions, view the drug manufacturer’s website.

To help make sure that you don’t miss an infusion appointment, try setting an alarm for it on your phone.

Elahere is approved to treat certain types of ovarian cancer.* This includes cancers of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and peritoneum.

For Elahere’s use as an ovarian cancer treatment, the cancer needs to meet certain criteria. One of these is the cancer needs to have high levels of a protein called folate receptor-alpha (FRalpha).

FRalpha sits on the surface of cells and helps them grow and divide. FRalpha proteins are seen more commonly on cells in certain cancers, including ovarian cancer. The reason for the abundance of FRalpha proteins in certain cancers isn’t fully understood. However, its high levels serve as a target for ovarian cancer treatments, such as Elahere. It’s a targeted therapy for ovarian cancer.

* The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Elahere under its accelerated approval process. For more information, see “FDA approval” in the “What is Elahere?” section above.
† For details about these cancers, see the “Elahere uses” section above.

What Elahere does

Elahere contains the active ingredient mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx.* It belongs to a class of drugs called antibody-drug conjugates. This means the active drug (soravtansine) is connected to an antibody (mirvetuximab). An antibody is a type of protein used by your immune system.

Elahere works by targeting FRalpha proteins on ovarian cancer cells. The antibody part of Elahere attaches to FRalpha. At this step, Elahere enters the cancer cells. Once inside the cell, the active drug stops the cells from growing and spreading.

* The reason “-gynx” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.

How long does it take to work?

Elahere starts working right after your first dose. You may not notice the drug working in your body. Your doctor will order tests during treatment to check whether Elahere is working to treat your condition.

If you have questions about what to expect with Elahere treatment, talk with your doctor.

It’s not safe to receive Elahere during pregnancy. There haven’t been clinical trials of the drug in pregnant people or animal studies of the drug’s use during pregnancy. However, it’s known that Elahere can cause harm to a fetus. This is based on the way the drug works in the body.*

If you can become pregnant, your doctor will likely give you a pregnancy test before you begin Elahere treatment. They’ll do this to make sure you aren’t pregnant when you start receiving the drug.

If you’re pregnant or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatment options other than Elahere.

If you become pregnant while receiving Elahere, tell your doctor right away.

* To learn more about what Elahere does, see the “How Elahere works” section above.

Elahere is not safe to receive during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs during Elahere treatment.

Your doctor will advise you to use an effective form of birth control. You’ll need to use birth control during treatment and for at least 7 months after your last dose of Elahere.

For more information about Elahere treatment during pregnancy, see the “Elahere and pregnancy” section above.

It isn’t known whether Elahere can pass into breast milk. However, it’s possible that the drug may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.

For this reason, doctors recommend not breastfeeding during Elahere treatment and for at least 1 month after your last dose of the drug.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor about treatment options other than Elahere. They can also suggest other ways to feed your child.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Elahere.

Will Elahere cure my ovarian cancer?

No, Elahere won’t cure ovarian cancer.* There’s currently no cure for this cancer. However, clinical trials have shown Elahere is effective for treating this condition. To learn how Elahere works, see the “How Elahere works” section above.

If you have questions about what to expect with Elahere treatment, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website. It has information about how Elahere performed in clinical trials.

* Elahere is used to treat ovarian cancer, which includes cancers of the fallopian tubes and peritoneum. For details, see the “Elahere uses” section above.

Does Elahere cause long-term side effects?

Yes, Elahere may cause long-term side effects. Specifically, the drug may cause serious eye problems. In fact, the drug has a boxed warning for this risk.*

Some of these eye conditions may be permanent or long lasting, such as cataracts. This is a condition in which the eye lens becomes cloudy and vision is reduced.

If you develop eye problems during Elahere treatment, your doctor may stop the drug until your eye condition eases. In some cases, they may permanently stop Elahere treatment and switch to a different drug instead.

If you have questions about the possible long-term side effects of Elahere, talk with your doctor.

* A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous. For details about this boxed warning, see the “Elahere precautions” section below.

Can older adults receive Elahere?

Yes, older adults (ages 65 years and older) can receive Elahere. Older adults were included in clinical trials of Elahere. And trial results didn’t show differences in the safety or effectiveness of Elahere between older adults and younger adults.

If you’re age 65 years or older and have questions about Elahere treatment, talk with your doctor. They can explain the treatment options for your condition. They’ll also help you determine whether Elahere is right for you.

This drug comes with several precautions. These are considered drug-condition interactions.

FDA warning: Serious eye problems

This drug has a boxed warning. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of serious eye problems. Taking Elahere may lead to eye problems, some of which may be severe. Mild eye problems were very common in clinical trials of the drug. Serious eye problems were less common.

Examples of eye problems that may occur with Elahere include:

Due to this risk, your doctor will recommend that you see an eye doctor before and during Elahere treatment. Your eye doctor will check your eyes and vision for signs and symptoms of eye problems. They’ll likely check your eyes at least once every 6 weeks for the first 6 months of treatment. Your eye doctor can tell you whether you’ll need continued monitoring.

To help reduce your risk of eye problems with Elahere, your doctor may advise you not to wear contact lenses. They’ll likely also prescribe certain eye drops for you, including:

  • a preservative-free lubricating eye drop, such as polyethylene glycol/propylene glycol (Systane Ultra PF)
  • a corticosteroid eye drop, such as prednisolone (Omnipred, Pred Forte, others)

If you develop eye problems while taking Elahere, your doctor may stop Elahere treatment until your eye condition eases. In some cases, they may permanently stop treatment and switch to a different drug instead.

Other precautions

Before receiving Elahere, talk with your doctor about your health history. Elahere may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Liver problems. It may not be safe to receive Elahere if you have certain liver problems, such as liver failure. If you have liver problems, talk with your doctor before Elahere treatment. They can advise whether Elahere is a safe treatment option for you.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve previously had an allergic reaction to Elahere or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Elahere. Ask your doctor about other medications that may be better options for you.
  • Pregnancy. It isn’t safe to receive Elahere during pregnancy. For more information, see the “Elahere and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. It isn’t known whether Elahere is safe to receive while breastfeeding. For more information, see the “Elahere and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Elahere, see the “Elahere side effects” section above. You can also talk with your doctor.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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