PICCOS

What is PICCOS?

PICCOS is a trial looking at the use of pressurised intraperitoneal aerosolised chemotherapy (PIPAC) in recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Ovacome has been sitting on the Patient Advisory Group for this trial for the last two years.

Researchers in this trial are trying to find out the best way to manage ovarian cancer that has spread to the lining of the abdomen (this is called peritoneal metastases).

They are testing a new way of delivering cancer medicine (chemotherapy) called PIPAC. This involves spraying chemotherapy onto the peritoneal metastases during keyhole surgery. 

Chemotherapy delivered during keyhole surgery can cause some side effects but researchers believe that these will be less severe than those which would be experienced when chemotherapy is given in the usual way, through an intravenous (IV) drip.

What are the clinicians trying to find out?

The aim of this trial is to find out whether using a new treatment strategy to deliver chemotherapy as a spray directly into the abdominal cavity using keyhole surgery is better at managing peritoneal metastases than the usual IV chemotherapy. This new way of giving chemotherapy is called Pressurised IntraPeritoneal Aerosolised Chemotherapy or PIPAC for short. It has been used across the world for a few years, however it has only been available in the UK as part of research studies.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reviewed the evidence for PIPAC in 2021. It found that while patients who had PIPAC may have improved survival and quality of life, more evidence was needed before a decision can be made on whether to approve availability on the NHS.

The best way of knowing whether one treatment is better than another is by carrying out a type of research called a randomised controlled trial (RCT). A RCT is a type of research where patients are randomly allocated into two groups: an experimental group that receives the new treatment and a control group that receives the usual treatment.

Patients have equal chance of being allocated to the experimental or control group. This enables a fair comparison to be made to see which treatment works best. Because of the NICE recommendations, researchers designed the PICCOS trial  as a RCT. Half of the patients in this trial will receive their usual chemotherapy, while the other half have chemotherapy given by PIPAC. 

The PICCOS trial also aims to find out whether there are differences in the quality of life for patients with peritoneal metastases who have PIPAC compared to those who do not. 

How can you find out more?

The trial started in, and is being run from, Cardiff. Many more centres have been opened across the UK and further centres will be opening in August and September 2025. The best way to find out more information is by speaking to your medical team. You can also call our support team on: 0800 0087054 Monday-Friday 10am-5pm. 

Further information is available here: PICCOS - Centre for Trials Research - Cardiff University

Did you find this page helpful?

We welcome your feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions, please email ovacome@ovacome.org.uk or call 0207 299 6653.