Adding pembrolizumab to chemotherapy results in improved progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with advanced and recurrent cervical cancer regardless of bevacizumab use

Final analysis of the Keynote-826 phase III trial, has shown that adding pembrolizumab to chemotherapy has increased progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer.   Following randomization of 617 patients, those who received bevacizumab indicated "grade >3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 74% of patients in the pembrolizumab arm and 66.8% in the placebo arm." 

To learn more about the Keynote-826 trial, click here.  

Source mentioned: 

Lorusso D, Colombo N, Dubot C, et al. Pembrolizumab Plus Chemotherapy for Advanced and Recurrent Cervical Cancer: Final Analysis According to Bevacizumab Use in the Randomized KEYNOTE-826 Study. Annals of Oncology; Published online 9 October 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2024.10.002

Webinar: Multi Cancer Early Detection Tools (MCED): Promises and Challenges

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) recently hosted a webinar discussing Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) tools.  The webinar, available at the following link, watch on YouTube, provides an overview of MCED tools cancer screening, from both a cancer survivor and patient advocate, as well as a renowned oncologist. 

To learn more about MCED tools, click here. 

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) State of Cancer Survivorship: Survey Results

 The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) has released the results of a survey conducted on more than 2100 cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers between August and September 2024. Findings from the survey, presented in report format, discuss treatment decision-making, post-treatment care, participation in clinical trials, side effects of treatment, and financial hardship.  

Click here to view the survey briefing video and download the survey results. 

Short-course of induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy significantly improves survival in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer

 Results of INTERLACE, a phase III multicentre randomized study is the first to "show a significant survival advantage with the addition of induction chemotherapy before chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer."  5-year progression-free survival was significant: 72% in patients administered induction chemotherapy with chemoradiotherapy, compared to 64% receiving chemoradiotherapy alone. 

To learn more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

• McCormack M, Eminowicz G, Gallardo D, et al. on behalf of the INTERLACE investigators. Induction chemotherapy followed by standard chemoradiotherapy versus standard chemoradiotherapy alone in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (GCIG INTERLACE): an international, multicentre, randomised phase 3 trial. The Lancet 2024;404(10462):P1525-1525.
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• Duska LR, Randall LM. Progress in the treatment paradigms for locally advanced cervical cancer. The Lancet 2024;404(10462):p1494-1496.