Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month: 2021 Immunotherapy Research Updates

Thousands are diagnosed with cancers of the ovaries, cervix, and uterus every year. Fortunately, recent strides in medical research have led to the approval of new treatments for gynecologic cancers. In July, the FDA approved pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in combination with lenvatinib for patients with advanced endometrial cancer, without a high-level of microsatellite instability nor mismatch repair deficient. People with advanced endometrial cancer have limited treatment options, so every new weapon in the armamentarium provides hope.

This September for Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, we reflect on new treatments, research discoveries, and how we're creating a future immune to cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers. 

Ask Your Immunotherapy Questions

Hear from Dr. Dmitriy Zamarin of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center at the 2021 Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit on October 7–8, 2021, in a live discussion about cancer immunotherapy treatment options for ovarian cancer. This free event connects you with cancer patients and immunotherapy experts from the comfort of your own home.

Register for the virtual summit

Treatment Update for Gynecologic Cancers

Last year, at the 2020 CRI Virtual Immunotherapy Patient Summit, Dr. Kunle Odunsi of the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center discussed immunotherapy for ovarian, cervical, and uterine cancers, clinical trials, and answered viewer questions about up-and-coming treatments for gynecologic cancers.

Ovarian Cancer Patient Story

At 44, Christine received the tragic news that she had ovarian cancer. She endured surgery and chemotherapy before starting a vaccine clinical trial that saved her life. Now over a decade free of ovarian cancer, she is using her experience to advise other patients to stay healthy and informed.

Read Christine’s ovarian cancer story

Gynecologic Cancer Scientist Spotlight

CRI Fellow Morgan Huse, PhD, of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is researching the implications of genetic modifications that can enhance the utility of therapeutic T cells in the context of adoptive cell therapy. His primary interest lies in the capacity of microRNAs to improve critical operative parameters like survival, proliferation, and cytotoxic activity.

Learn about Dr. Morgan Huse’s Cancer Research

Gynecologic Cancer Info Update

In addition to the July approval of pembrolizumab, the FDA approved the PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor dostarlimab (Jemperli) for a subset of patients with advanced endometrial cancer in April. More cancer immunotherapies are on the horizon. As the research and treatment landscape evolves, we keep our information up to date.

View Gynecologic Cancer Updates

Find a Gynecologic Cancer Clinical Trial

 A variety of new and promising cancer immunotherapy treatments are only available to patients in clinical trials. Help speed the development of potentially lifesaving drugs. Discover trials for which you or a loved one may be eligible with the CRI Immunotherapy Clinical Trial Finder.

Find a Cancer Clinical Trial

Support Gynecologic Cancer Research

CRI CLIP Investigator W. Martin Kast led a phase 1 clinical trial examining the efficacy of the checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab following chemoradiation in a subset of patients with cervical cancer. Results published in Clinical Cancer Research revealed that chemoradiation alone and combined with ipilimumab showed immune-modulating activity. Thus, this immunotherapy may be a promising therapeutic option for patients at high risk of relapse or metastasis. This Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, support lifesaving cancer immunotherapy research.  

Donate to Gynecologic Cancer Research