"Rise of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Cervical Cancer Treatment"
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors, particularly PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies like pembrolizumab, have demonstrated superior clinical outcomes in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer compared to traditional chemotherapy
- For instance, in 2024, the U.S. FDA expanded the approval of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) for use in PD-L1-positive recurrent cervical cancer, based on the favorable results from the KEYNOTE-826 trial, which showed improved progression-free and overall survival
- There is an increasing number of clinical trials assessing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in earlier stages of cervical cancer and in combination with other therapies like chemotherapy and radiation
- While initially available in high-income countries, these therapies are gradually being introduced into treatment guidelines and healthcare systems in middle-income markets due to their promising outcomes
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors are reshaping the treatment landscape of cervical cancer by offering targeted, effective options for advanced cases, with expanding regulatory approvals and increasing global uptake
