New Cervical Cancer Treatments: Latest Advances and How to Access Them?

Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor arising from the cervix (a lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina). Despite being one of the most preventable cancers, it is one of the most dangerous of all cancers affecting women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The persistent infection with high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer.

The two most common types of cervical cancer are:

• Squamous Cell Carcinoma – Occurs in the thin, flat cells lining the cervix

• Adenocarcinoma – Begins in the glandular cells of the cervical canal

Women with recurrent, advanced, or metastatic cervical cancer now have improved outcomes due to new targeted therapy treatments, immunotherapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and biomarker-based treatments, all of which represent the most promising advancements in this form of cancer therapy.

Standard Treatments for Cervical Cancer:

Treatment for cervical cancer is based on how far the disease has progressed, the patient’s age, reproductive goals, general well-being, and the patient’s health. Some of the more common treatments are:

• Surgery – Involves hysterectomy or trachelectomy for the early-stage cases
• Radiation Therapy – High-energy beams are used to kill the unhealthy cells
• Chemotherapy – A Drug combination that destroys rapidly growing, unhealthy cells
  Concurrent
• Chemoradiation – This entails chemotherapy together with radiation therapy
• Targeted Therapy – Disrupts the growth of cancer at the molecular level
• Immunotherapy – Trains the immune system to attack unhealthy cells

Newly Approved Medicines for Cervical Cancer:

Here are some most effective newly approved and investigational therapies for recurrent or advanced cervical cancer:

Tivdak (tisotumab vedotin-tftv):

• Type: Antibody-Drug Conjugate (ADC)
• Indication: Recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer after chemotherapy
• Mechanism: Targets tissue factor on tumor cells and delivers a cell-killing agent directly to the cancer site
• Approval: FDA-approved

Keytruda (pembrolizumab):

• Type: Immunotherapy (PD-1 Inhibitor)
• Indication: PD-L1-positive advanced/recurrent cervical cancer
• Mechanism: Unleashes T-cells by blocking the PD-1 pathway to attack cancer
• Approval: FDA-approved (monotherapy and combo with chemotherapy)

Jemperli (dostarlimab-gxly):

• Type: Immunotherapy (PD-1 Inhibitor)
• Indication: dMMR/mismatch repair-deficient advanced cervical cancer
• Mechanism: Helps the immune system detect and eliminate abnormal cancer cells
• Approval: FDA-approved for post-platinum progression

Hycamtin (Topotecan Hydrochloride):

• Type: Chemotherapy (Topoisomerase I Inhibitor)
• Indication: Recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, especially after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy
• Mechanism: Blocks the enzyme topoisomerase I, which leads to DNA damage and unhealthy cell death
• Approval: FDA-approved; often used along with cisplatin in second-line treatment settings

Balversa (erdafitinib) (Investigational):

• Type: FGFR Inhibitor (Targeted Therapy)
• Indication: Cancers with FGFR gene alterations (under study in cervical cancer)
• Mechanism: Blocks the FGFR signaling pathway, preventing cell growth
• Approval: Approved for bladder cancer; under cervical trials

Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) (Investigational):

• Type: Immunotherapy (PD-L1 Inhibitor)
• Indication: PD-L1 positive recurrent cervical cancer (in combination trials)
• Mechanism: Helps the immune system recognize and destroy cancer
• Approval: Ongoing trials for cervical cancer

Durvalumab (Imfinzi) (Investigational):

• Type: Immunotherapy (PD-L1 Inhibitor)
• Indication: Advanced cervical cancer (in combination with radiation/chemo)
• Mechanism: Enhances immune-mediated tumor clearance
• Approval: Under clinical trials

Adavosertib (AZD1775) (Investigational):

• Type: WEE1 Kinase Inhibitor
• Indication: Platinum-resistant or recurrent cervical cancer
• Mechanism: Disrupts DNA damage repair in cancer cells
• Approval: Investigational therapy in trials

Retifanlimab (Investigational):

• Type: Immunotherapy (PD-1 Inhibitor)
• Indication: Advanced/recurrent cervical cancer with PD-L1 expression
• Mechanism: Reactivates immune cells to attack tumors
• Approval: Fast Track status; clinical data emerging

AGEN2034 + AGEN1884 (Dual Immunotherapy, Investigational):

• Type: PD-1 + CTLA-4 Inhibitor Combination
• Indication: Refractory advanced cervical cancer
• Mechanism: Dual checkpoint blockade to overcome resistance
• Approval: Under early-phase trials

Accessing New Cervical Cancer Treatments in India and Other Countries:

Not all newly approved or investigational treatments are readily available in all regions. Access to these life-saving treatments is delayed by regulatory hurdles in some regions. Fortunately, these life-saving treatments can be legally accessed through Named Patient Programs (NPPs).

Indian Pharma Network (IPN) – Your Partner in Global Medicine Access:

As the biggest Indian company in the area of Named Patient Supply, we helps patients and doctors legally access hard-to-find or unapproved cervical cancer medicines. From regulatory documentation to cold-chain delivery, we provides a seamless and compliant solution.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Cervical cancer and your treatment requires immediate access to a newly approved medicine that is not yet approved where you live, Indian Pharma Network (IPN) is here to help. Contact us to explore your Cervical cancer treatment options today.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Patients must consult their treating physician before beginning any new medicine or therapy.