Medical policy: Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Policy number: MP 9.047

Effective date: 5/1/2026

Policy

Autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation are considered investigational to treat advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer. There is insufficient evidence to support a general conclusion concerning the health outcomes or benefits associated with this procedure.

Cross-references

• MP 9.048 Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Miscellaneous Solid Tumors in Adults
• MP 9.052 Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Germ-Cell Tumors

Product variations

This policy is only applicable to certain programs and products administered by Capital Blue Cross and subject to benefit variations. Please see additional information below.

FEP PPO – Refer to FEP Medical Policy Manual.

Description/background

The use of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has been investigated to treat patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Hematopoietic stem cells are infused to restore bone marrow function after cytotoxic doses of chemotherapeutic agents with or without whole body radiotherapy.

Epithelial ovarian cancer

Several types of malignancies can arise in the ovary; epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women. New cases and deaths from ovarian cancer in the United States for 2025 were estimated at 20,890 and 12,730, respectively. Most ovarian cancer patients present with widespread disease, and the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and Results Program reported a 51.6% 5-year survival for all cases between 2014 and 2012.

Treatment

Current management for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer is cytoreductive surgery with chemotherapy. Approximately 75% of patients present with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III to IV ovarian cancer and are treated with paclitaxel plus a platinum analogue (e.g., cisplatin), the preferred regimen for the newly diagnosed advanced disease. Use of platinum and taxanes has improved progression-free survival and overall survival in advanced disease to between 16 and 21 months and 32 and 57 months, respectively. However, cancer recurs in most women, and they die of the disease because chemotherapy drug resistance leads to uncontrolled cancer growth.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a procedure in which hematopoietic stem cells are infused to restore bone marrow function in cancer patients who receive bone-marrow-toxic doses of drugs with or without whole body radiotherapy. Bone marrow stem cells may be obtained from the transplant recipient (autologous HCT) or a donor (allogeneic HCT). They can be harvested from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood and placenta shortly after delivery of neonates. Although cord blood on an allogeneic source, the stem cells in it are antigenically “naïve” and thus are associated with a lower incidence of rejection or graft-versus-host disease. Cord blood is discussed in detail in MP 9.001 Placental/Umbilical Cord Blood as a Source of Stem Cells.

HCT is an established treatment for certain hematologic malignancies; however, its use in solid tumors in adults is largely experimental.

Regulatory status

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates human cells and tissues intended for implantation, transplantation, or infusion through the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, under Code of Federal Regulation, title 21, parts 1270 and 1271. Hematopoietic stem cells are included in these regulations.

Rationale

Summary of evidence

For individuals who have advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer who receive HCT, the evidence includes randomized trials and data from case series and registries. Relevant outcomes are overall survival, disease-specific survival, change in disease status, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. Although some observational studies have reported longer survival in subsets of women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer than in women treated with standard chemotherapy, none of the randomized trial evidence has shown a benefit from HCT in this population. Overall, the evidence has not shown that HCT improves health outcomes in treating epithelial ovarian cancer, including survival, compared with conventional standard doses of chemotherapy. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in net health outcomes.

Definitions

N/A

Disclaimer

Capital Blue Cross’ medical policies are used to determine coverage for specific medical technologies, procedures, equipment, and services. These medical policies do not constitute medical advice and are subject to change as permitted by law or applicable clinical evidence from independent treatment guidelines. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. These policies are not a guarantee of coverage or payment. Payment of claims is subject to a determination regarding the member’s benefit program and eligibility on the date of service, and a determination that the services are medically necessary and appropriate. Final processing of a claim is based upon the terms of contract that applies to the member’s benefit program, including benefit limitations and exclusions. If a provider or a member has a question concerning this medical policy, please contact Capital Blue Cross’ Provider Services or Member Services.

Coding information

Note: This list of codes may not be all-inclusive, and codes are subject to change at any time. The identification of a code in this section does not denote coverage as coverage is determined by the terms of member benefit information. In addition, not all covered services are eligible for separate reimbursement.

Investigational when used for treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer

References

1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2021. Atlanta, GA: American Cancer Society; 2021
2. National Cancer Institute, Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program Cancer Stat Facts: Ovarian Cancer. n.d.
3. Mobus V, Wandt H, Frickhofen N, et al. Phase III trial of high-dose sequential chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell support compared with standard dose chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer. Intergroup trial of the AGO-Ovar/AIO and EBMT. J Clin Oncol. Sep 20 2007; 25(27): 4187-93. PMID 17698804
4. Papadimitriou C, Dafni U, Anagnostopoulos A, et al. High-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation as consolidation treatment in patients with chemosensitive ovarian cancer: results of a single-institution randomized trial. Bone Marrow Transplant. Mar 2008; 41(6): 547-54. PMID 18026149
5. Donato ML, Aleman A, Champlin RE, et al. Analysis of 96 patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant. Jun 2004; 33(12): 1219-24. PMID 15122311
6. Ledermann JA, Herd R, Maraninchi D, et al. High-dose chemotherapy for ovarian carcinoma: long-term results from the Solid Tumour Registry of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). Ann Oncol. May 2001; 12(5): 693-9. PMID 11432630
7. Stiff PJ, Bayer R, Kerger C, et al. High-dose chemotherapy with autologous transplantation for persistent/relapsed ovarian cancer: a multivariate analysis of survival for 100 consecutively treated patients. J Clin Oncol. Apr 1997; 15(4): 1309-17. PMID 9193322
8. Stiff PJ, Veum-Stone J, Lazarus HM, et al. High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation for ovarian cancer: an autologous blood and marrow transplant registry report. Ann Intern Med. Oct 03 2000; 133(7): 504-15. PMID 11015163
9. Sabatier R, Gonçalves A, Bertucci F, et al. Are there candidates for high-dose chemotherapy in ovarian carcinoma?. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. Oct 16 2012; 31: 87. PMID 23072336
10. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Ovarian Cancer Including Fallopian Tube Cancer and Primary Peritoneal Cancer. Version 3.2025
11. National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT): Pre-Transplant Recipient Evaluation and Management of Graft-Versus-Host Disease. Version 2.2025
12. Herzog T. Adjuvant Therapy of Early Stage (Stage I and II) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tubal, or peritoneal cancer. UpToDate (online serial). Waltham, MA: UpToDate; updated Jul 18, 2025. Literature current through Dec 2025.
13. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. National Coverage Determination (NCD) for Stem Cell Transplantation (110.23, formerly 110.8.1). 2016