Top advances of the year: Cervical cancer

• Published in: Cancer 2024-08, Vol.130 (15), p.2571-2576
• Main Authors: Duska, Linda R., Podwika, Sarah E., Randall, Leslie M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: antibody‐drug conjugates; Cancer; Cervical cancer; chemoradiation; Chemotherapy; diversity; early stage; Effectiveness; Immunotherapy; locally advanced; Medical innovations; Metastases; Patients; Quality of life; surgery; Vaccination
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35334

The year 2023 was an extraordinary year for the further development and expansion of novel treatments for all patients with cervical cancer, ranging from early stage to later stage and metastatic or recurrent disease. Individuals with early‐stage disease will benefit from less invasive surgery with subsequent improvement in quality of life. The effectiveness of immunotherapy has been demonstrated in upfront, locally advanced cervical cancer and confirmed in advanced metastatic disease. Induction chemotherapy will play a role in some patients with locally advanced disease, particularly those in low resource areas of the world. Novel therapeutics including antibody–drug conjugates have shown efficacy even in pretreated patients. As we continue to explore innovative therapeutics in this space, however, we must also continue to improve the diversity of clinical trial accrual to allow for generalizable results. At the same time, we must focus on eradicating this disease with appropriate screening and vaccination. Over the past few years we have seen the remarkable development, refinement, and implementation of innovative therapies for individuals with cervical cancer, ranging from early stage to late stage and recurrent disease. These novel options offer new and more successful therapies for our patients with cervical cancer that will both prolong life and improve quality.