Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine)

Antibody-drug conjugate · Used for: Ovarian cancer

💉 Given by IV or injection · Antibody-drug conjugate

Cliff notes

What it is: Antibody-drug conjugate.

How it's given: An IV infusion every 3 weeks, with eye drops before and during treatment.

How it works: Elahere is an antibody linked to a chemo drug. The antibody finds a protein called folate receptor alpha on ovarian cancer cells and delivers the chemo straight to them. It's for platinum-resistant cancers that test positive for this protein.

Common side effects and what helps at home

Side effect	What can help
Eye problems: blurry vision, dry eyes, light sensitivity	Use the eye drops exactly as prescribed and avoid contact lenses unless your eye doctor says OK.
Tiredness	Rest.
Nausea, belly pain, diarrhea or constipation	Small meals and fluids.
Nerve tingling (neuropathy)	Report numbness early.

Not everyone gets these. Your team may suggest other ways to manage them.

Call your care team now if you have:

Any new or worse vision change or eye pain
New cough, shortness of breath or chest pain (possible lung inflammation)
Numbness or tingling that makes it hard to button clothes or walk

Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or signs of stroke.

🗓 What to expect

1️⃣ Before you start

Ask your team for a written schedule and an after-hours phone number.
A baseline eye exam, and steroid and lubricating eye drops as prescribed.
Bring a list of all your medicines and supplements.

2️⃣ During each infusion

You'll get the medicine through an IV in a clinic; nurses check you during the infusion.
Tell the nurse right away about chills, itching, flushing or trouble breathing.
Bring a snack, water and something to pass the time.

3️⃣ Between doses

Watch for the side effects below and use the checklist.
Keep up with blood tests and visits.
Call your team for anything in the red box.

📅 Sample 21-day cycle

= 💉 infusion + eye drops. Eye drops on the days your team tells you. This is an example; follow the schedule your team gives you.

✅ Side-effect checklist

Print this and check off what you notice so you can tell your team.

Side effect	Noticed?	Notes for my team
Eye problems: blurry vision, dry eyes, light sensitivity	☐
Tiredness	☐
Nausea, belly pain, diarrhea or constipation	☐
Nerve tingling (neuropathy)	☐

Help paying for Elahere

Official manufacturer program:

Elahere (AbbVie) patient support: Copay savings for commercially insured patients; myAbbVie Assist for those in need, as shown on the brand site.

Copay cards are usually only for people with commercial (job or marketplace) insurance. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, look at free-drug programs and these independent foundations:

PAN Foundation: Copays and coinsurance, including for people with Medicare, when a disease fund is open.
HealthWell Foundation: Grants for copays, deductibles and premiums when a fund is open.
CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: Help with treatment copays for insured people under income limits.
Good Days: Copay help and some travel costs.
NeedyMeds: Free database of assistance programs, open to anyone.

📋 Medicare: Medicare Part B usually covers drugs given by infusion in a doctor's office or hospital outpatient clinic. You typically pay 20% after the Part B deductible. See Medicare and your cancer drugs.

More: Our guide to paying for cancer treatment.

💬 What experts are saying

A gynecologic oncologist explains on OncLive that most Elahere side effects are mild to moderate. Nausea and eye problems such as blurry vision are the most common, and routine eye exams pick up eye changes that people may not notice themselves.

Source: Dr Matulonis on the Management of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine-Related Toxicities in FRα+ Ovarian Cancer (OncLive, March 30, 2023)

Clinicians interviewed by OncLive describe working closely with an eye doctor who knows Elahere. They note that the steroid eye drops can affect conditions like glaucoma or cataracts, so it helps to see the same eye team throughout treatment.

Source: Multidisciplinary Collaboration Is Crucial in Managing Ocular Toxicities of Mirvetuximab Soravtansine in Gynecologic Tumors (OncLive, January 8, 2025)

▶ Watch

Watch: How to Prepare for Your First Infusion Treatment (Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy) (Fred Hutch Patient Education)

Videos open on YouTube and are made by the channels named. We don't host them.

❓ Questions to ask your doctor

What is the goal of this treatment for me?
How will we know if it's working?
Which side effects should I call about right away, and what number do I call after hours?
Which medicines, vitamins or supplements should I avoid?
Will this affect my ability to work, drive or care for my family?
What will this cost me, and who can help me with coverage?

Support groups

Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA): Woman to Woman peer support, education and research
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC): Support groups, the Teal Hearts Network and education
CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community

Common questions

Why do I need an eye exam on Elahere?

The FDA label carries a boxed warning for eye problems. You'll have eye exams before and during treatment.

Who can get Elahere?

People with folate receptor alpha-positive, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer who've had prior treatment. A test on your tumor tells.

📄 The official FDA label for Elahere, including its patient information section, is on DailyMed.

Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write

Not medical advice. This page is general information to help you talk with your care team. It can't replace advice from your doctor or nurse. If you have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher during treatment, or any symptom that worries you, call your care team now. In an emergency, call 911.