Exciting advancements in cancer treatment may soon benefit patients with cervical cancer. A newly developed prescription medication, TIVDAK (tisotumab vedotin), has demonstrated significant efficacy in clinical trials.
In phase 3 global trials, TIVDAK showed a 30% reduction in the risk of death compared to chemotherapy.
Additionally, it exhibited a 33% lower risk of disease progression or death. The drug also achieved an impressive objective response rate of 17.8%, compared to chemotherapy’s 5.2%.
Dr. Brian Slomovitz, Director of Gynecologic Oncology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, highlighted the groundbreaking nature of these results.
“To have a survival advantage in this disease is extremely, extremely rare,” he emphasized.
He noted that TIVDAK’s effectiveness marks a significant shift in the standard of care for recurrent cervical cancer, recommending it for all patients who do not respond to initial therapies.
Dr. Slomovitz, directly involved in the trials, explained that TIVDAK targets a specific protein on cells, facilitating precise delivery of chemotherapy without the broad side effects associated with traditional treatments.
This targeted approach minimizes peripheral side effects, offering patients a more tolerable treatment option compared to chemotherapy.
Dr. Marc Siegel, Clinical Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, underscored the promising nature of TIVDAK as an additional therapy with a high response rate, particularly beneficial in treating metastatic cervical cancer which is often challenging to diagnose early and carries a poor prognosis.
Despite some manageable side effects such as conjunctivitis and peripheral neuropathy, Dr. Kathleen Moore, Associate Director of Clinical Research at Stephenson Cancer Center in Oklahoma City, affirmed the drug’s manageability.
Since its accelerated approval by the FDA in 2021, TIVDAK has been well-received by patients, with minimal treatment discontinuations due to side effects.
Both Dr. Slomovitz and Dr. Moore expressed optimism about TIVDAK receiving full FDA approval following the completion of phase 3 trials, anticipating significant improvements in patient care and survival rates.
They also highlighted the importance of preventive measures such as regular screenings and vaccinations to combat cervical cancer effectively.
The researchers are hopeful that these advancements will lead to better outcomes for patients worldwide, emphasizing the ongoing progress in cervical cancer treatment and the potential for brighter prospects in the field.
