Corcept Therapeutics Receives Approval for Relacorilant Combination Therapy in Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Corcept Therapeutics has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for relacorilant (Lifyorli™) in combination with nab-paclitaxel to treat adults with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer who have undergone one to three prior systemic therapies, including at least one bevacizumab-containing regimen.
Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death among women. When the disease returns within six months after platinum-based chemotherapy, it is considered platinum-resistant. This stage is difficult to treat and has limited therapy options. Each year, around 20,000 patients in the United States are eligible for new treatment, with a similar number across Europe.
Lifyorli (relacorilant), approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in combination with nab-paclitaxel, is the first selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist for adults with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. It is an oral treatment taken around the time of chemotherapy. The therapy does not require biomarker selection. It works by blocking the glucocorticoid receptor, helping chemotherapy to act more effectively by preventing cortisol from reducing cancer cell death. It does not affect other steroid receptors in the body.
The treatment combination was reported to be generally well tolerated. Safety findings were based on pooled data from the ROSELLA study and an earlier Phase II trial. Common adverse events included reduced haemoglobin and neutrophil levels, fatigue, nausea, diarrhoea, decreased platelets, rash and reduced appetite. Warnings include risks of neutropenia, serious infections, adrenal insufficiency and embryo-fetal toxicity.
ROSELLA was conducted across multiple regions, including the United States, Europe, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Canada and Australia, in collaboration with several international oncology research groups.
Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer remains a challenging condition with limited treatment options. It occurs when the disease returns within six months of platinum-based chemotherapy. Around 20,000 patients in the United States each year are estimated to require new treatment options, with a similar number in Europe.
Relacorilant works by blocking the effects of cortisol at the glucocorticoid receptor. Cortisol is known to support tumour growth, reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy and weaken the immune response. By inhibiting these effects, relacorilant is designed to improve the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy.
Corcept is also evaluating relacorilant in other cancers, including endometrial, cervical, pancreatic and prostate cancer. The company has submitted a Marketing Authorisation Application to the European Medicines Agency for the treatment in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
Source: corcept.com
