(Press-News.org) Lugano, Switzerland, 17 October 2023 – Results from highly anticipated phase 3 clinical trials in gynaecological cancers with, among others, new data that cover the entire spectrum of managing patients with cervical cancer, will be presented at the ESMO Congress 2023 in Madrid, Spain. The late-breaking studies will be featured in Presidential and Proffered Paper Sessions, and could change the treatment landscape for women with these cancers. The new therapies tested delayed the time to relapse and, in some cases, lengthened survival.
“These are exciting results that address unmet needs in gynaecological cancers,” said Professor Krishnansu S. Tewari, Director - Gynecologic Oncology Programme, University of California, Irvine, USA.
Novel findings will be revealed across the range of gynaecological cancers, including cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Cervical cancer usually presents as locally advanced disease in women who have not undergone screening. At this stage, the cancer is too large to remove surgically, and the standard treatment is chemotherapy with radiation. “Cervical cancer occurs in young women who are typically in the midst of their careers and have small children at home,” said Tewari. “Standard treatment does lead to remission, but within two to three years the cancer can come back. Two trials that will be presented at the ESMO Congress 2023 will reveal new ways of treating locally advanced cervical cancer that significantly delay relapse, giving women who are in the prime of their lives more time free of cancer.”
In one study, 68% of women who received the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab on top of standard treatment were cancer-free at two years, compared to 57% of women allocated to placebo on top of standard treatment. (1) A second study tested the impact of giving a combination of two different chemotherapy drugs ahead of standard treatment with chemotherapy plus radiation – a strategy called induction chemotherapy. (2) Women with locally advanced cervical cancer who received induction chemotherapy were 35% more likely to be cancer-free at five years and 39% more likely to be alive at five years compared to those who received standard treatment only. “Induction chemotherapy could be an accessible treatment option because these drugs are available around the world, including in low-resource countries,” noted Tewari.
Also in cervical cancer, trials will be presented showing improvements in survival and delays in relapse with new treatments for women with cancer that has spread to other parts of the body or has come back after initially being treated with chemotherapy plus radiation. One trial tested the novel therapy tisotumab vedotin in women who had already received treatment for their metastatic or relapsed cervical cancer. (3) The drug, which combines an antibody and an anti-cancer drug, lengthened survival, delayed relapse, and more often caused tumour shrinkage compared with chemotherapy.
In ovarian cancer, achieving remission is a high unmet need, as approximately 85% of patients experience recurrent disease, with almost no long-term survival after recurrence. (4) At the ESMO Congress 2023, randomised trial data will be discussed showing that a novel targeted therapy, called senaparib, delayed the time to relapse in patients with newly diagnosed advanced disease. (5)
Studies will also be presented in endometrial cancer, the most common gynaecological cancer in the US and Europe. (6,7) In Europe, more than 121,000 women were diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2018 while in the US, it is estimated that over 66,000 women will be diagnosed in 2023. While there is no screening test, there is an early symptom -- post-menopausal bleeding -- which means that most endometrial cancers can be cured with a hysterectomy. Tewari said: “Unfortunately, for the 15-20% of patients that have more aggressive disease, treatment options are very limited and that’s why the studies that will be presented at the ESMO Congress are remarkable. Two trials showed that adding immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy treatment significantly delayed relapse of the cancer in women with advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer compared to chemotherapy alone.” (8,9)
Tewari commented that the results that will be presented at the ESMO Congress 2023 have a very good chance of leading to regulatory approval of new treatments. He said: “These trials have set the stage for women with gynaecological cancers to receive state-of-the-art therapies that delay the time to relapse, allowing women struggling with these cancers to live longer and live better.”
-END-
Notes to Editors
Please make sure to use the official name of the meeting in your reports: ESMO Congress 2023
Official Congress Hashtag: #ESMO23. Follow it to stay up to date and use it to take part in the conversation on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
Disclaimer
This press release contains information provided by the author of the highlighted abstract and reflects the content of this abstract. It does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ESMO who cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the data. Commentators quoted in the press release are required to comply with the ESMO Declaration of Interests policy and the ESMO Code of Conduct.
References
1 Abstract - LBA38 ‘Pembrolizumab plus chemoradiotherapy for high-risk locally advanced cervical cancer: A randomized, double-blind, phase 3 ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047/KEYNOTE-A18 study’ will be presented by Domenica Lorusso during Proffered Paper session 1 - Gynaecological cancers on Friday, 20 October 2023, 16:00 to 17:30 (CEST) in Sevilla Auditorium - Hall 9. 2 Abstract - LBA8 ‘A randomised phase III trial of induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation compared with chemoradiation alone in locally advanced cervical cancer. The GCIG INTERLACE trial’ will be presented by Mary McCormack during Presidential 2 Session on Sunday, 22 October 2023, 16:30 to 18:15 (CEST) in Madrid Auditorium - Hall 6. 3 Abstract - LBA9 ‘innovaTV 301/ENGOT-cx12/GOG-3057: A global, randomized, open-label, phase 3 study of tisotumab vedotin vs investigator’s choice of chemotherapy in 2L or 3L recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer’ will be presented by Ignace B. Vergote during Presidential 2 Session on Sunday, 22 October 2023, 16:30 to 18:15 (CEST) in Madrid Auditorium - Hall 6. 4 Lorusso D, Mancini M, Di Rocco R, et al. The role of secondary surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer. Int J Surg Oncol. 2012;613980. doi: 10.1155/2012/613980. 5 Abstract - LBA36 ‘Efficacy and safety of senaparib as maintenance treatment in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (FLAMES Study): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial’ will be presented by Xiaohua Wu during Proffered Paper session 1 - Gynaecological cancers on Friday, 20 October 2023, 16:00 to 17:30 (CEST) in Sevilla Auditorium - Hall 9.
6 Schlumbrecht M, Wright K, George S. Unique considerations in early detection, risk, and awareness of endometrial cancer in Black women. Cancer Control. 2023;30:10732748231202952. 7 Mahdi H, Ray-Coquard I, Lorusso D, et al. Evolving treatment paradigms in metastatic or recurrent low-grade endometrial cancer: When is hormonal-based therapy the preferred option? Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2023:ijgc-2023-004454. doi: 10.1136/ijgc-2023-004454. 8 Abstract - LBA40 ‘Phase III double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial of atezolizumab in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel in women with advanced/recurrent endometrial carcinoma’ will be presented by Nicoletta Colombo during Proffered Paper session 2 - Gynaecological cancers on Saturday, 21 October 2023, 08:45 to 10:00 (CEST) in Bilbao Auditorium – NCC. 9 Abstract - LBA41 ‘Durvalumab (durva) plus carboplatin/paclitaxel (CP) followed by maintenance (mtx) durva ± olaparib (ola) as a first line (1L) treatment for newly diagnosed advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (EC): results from the Phase III DUO-E/GOG-3041/ENGOT-EN10 trial’ will be presented by Shannon N. Westin during Proffered Paper session 2 - Gynaecological cancers on Saturday, 21 October 2023, 08:45 to 10:00 (CEST) in Bilbao Auditorium – NCC.
About the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO)
Representing more than 33,000 oncology professionals from 170 countries worldwide, ESMO is a reference for oncology education and information. Driven by a shared determination to secure the best possible outcomes for patients, ESMO is committed to standing by those who care about cancer through addressing the diverse needs of #ONEoncologycommunity, offering #educationforLIFE, and advocating for #accessiblecancerCARE. www.esmo.org
END
Advances in gynaecological cancer research could change the treatment landscape
2023-10-18
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Physicists create new form of antenna for radio waves
2023-10-18
University of Otago physicists have used a small glass bulb containing an atomic vapor to demonstrate a new form of antenna for radio waves. The bulb was “wired up” with laser beams and could therefore be placed far from any receiver electronics.
Dr Susi Otto, from the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, led the field testing of the portable atomic radio frequency sensor.
Such sensors, that are enabled by atoms in a so-called Rydberg state, can provide superior performance over current antenna ...
UCLA-led team finds a stem-cell derived mechanism that could lead to regenerative therapies for heart damage
2023-10-18
UCLA-led team finds a stem-cell derived mechanism that could lead to regenerative therapies for heart damage
A UCLA-led team has identified an essential internal control mechanism that can promote the maturation of human stem cell-derived heart muscle cells, offering a deeper understanding of how heart muscle cells develop from their immature fetal stage to their mature adult form.
The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Circulation, could lead to new therapies for heart disease and cardiac damage.
The collaborative effort with Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore and other institutions identified an RNA splicing ...
Lung cancer treatment research enters a new era
2023-10-18
Advances in lung cancer treatment highlight importance of tumour testing at diagnosis
Research presented at the ESMO Congress 2023 sets potential major changes in first-line treatment for patients with NSCLC with targetable tumour cell mutations
Lugano, Switzerland, 17 October 2023 – More people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are likely to benefit from new drugs that target molecular alterations in tumour cells, with less need for chemotherapy, following results of multiple landmark clinical trials reported for the first time in late-breaking presentations at the ESMO Congress 2023 (1-7). Better outcomes were achieved with combinations ...
Scientists discover links between Alzheimer’s disease and gut microbiota
2023-10-18
Researchers have discovered the link between the gut microbiota and Alzheimer’s disease.
For the first time, researchers have found that Alzheimer’s symptoms can be transferred to a healthy young organism via the gut microbiota, confirming its role in the disease.
The research was led by Professor Yvonne Nolan, APC Microbiome Ireland, a world leading SFI funded research centre based at University College Cork (UCC), and the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, UCC, with Professor Sandrine Thuret at King’s ...
Transforming fossil fuels: University of Oklahoma, Kansas State University successfully complete DOE project
2023-10-18
NORMAN, Okla. (Oct. 17, 2023) -- In collaboration, the University of Oklahoma has taken the lead in a Department of Energy project, with support from Kansas State University, to pioneer a new generation of reversible electrochemical cells. The cells have the potential to revolutionize energy storage by integrating seamlessly with fossil fuel assets.
The project’s objective was to conduct an extensive study aimed at developing an energy storage technology capable of efficiently converting carbon dioxide emissions captured from fossil fuel assets into valuable fuels, such as methane, says ...
Genetic risk scores not useful in predicting disease
2023-10-18
Polygenic risk scores, which estimate a person’s disease risk based on thousands or millions of common genetic variants, perform poorly in screening and prediction of common diseases such as heart disease, according to a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.
It has been claimed that polygenic risk scores will transform the prediction and prevention of common diseases. Companies have already been established that sell polygenic risk score testing services. Polygenic risk score testing is also one of the aims of the nationwide Our Future Health project*.
The new study, published in BMJ Medicine, looked at 926 polygenic risk scores for 310 diseases. ...
Marine mammal longevity study reveals remarkable advances in animal welfare
2023-10-18
A new study provides compelling evidence that animal care and management practices at zoos and aquariums have significantly improved over time. The study, led by Species360 and University of Southern Denmark Research Scientist Dr. Morgane Tidière in collaboration with 41 co-authors from academic, governmental, and zoological institutions around the world, is the first to examine life expectancy and lifespan equality together as a proxy of population welfare in marine mammal species.
The study also found that marine mammal species live longer ...
New specimen collection system enhances assisted reproductive technologies
2023-10-18
New Specimen Collection System Enhances Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Considered an experimental procedure during the late 1970s when it made headlines with each birth it produced, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has helped many couples overcome infertility issues for more than four decades. In several nations, IVF is responsible for up to 3% of the babies born.
The procedure, now a cornerstone of infertility treatments, has expanded to include other assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). One of those ARTs, known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), involves using a microscopic needle to inject a single sperm into an egg.
Though ...
Ludwig Cancer Research launches leadership fellows program
2023-10-17
OCTOBER 17, 2023, NEW YORK – It is with great pleasure that Ludwig Cancer Research announces its launch of the Ludwig Leadership Fellows Program.
Conceived, funded and managed by the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the Program aims to accelerate the careers of exceptional young scientists by helping them establish genuinely independent programs of research immediately after the completion of their graduate studies.
“Our hope is that the Leadership Fellows program will contribute to a pipeline of outstanding future leaders of cancer research,” said Chi Van Dang, scientific director of the Ludwig Institute. “We and many others have grown increasingly alarmed ...
Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards announce 2023 college football coaches watch list
2023-10-17
HOUSTON, October 17, 2023 – Twenty-six active college football coaches make up the American Heart Association’s 2023 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award watch list, a list of current coaches in consideration for the annual top honor. The award is given each January to a college football coach for contributions that make the sport better for athletes and fans alike by demonstrating grit, integrity and a winning approach to coaching and life - both on and off the field.
The ...