FDA Approves New Endometrial Cancer Therapies, Expanding Treatment Options

In mid-June, the FDA approved two new treatment combinations for patients with endometrial cancer: Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus chemotherapy and Keytruda (pembrolizumab) plus chemotherapy. Imfinzi was approved for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer that is mismatch repair deficient (dMMR), while Keytruda was approved for patients with advanced endometrial cancers that are either dMMR or mismatch repair proficient (pMMR).

Dr. Angeles Secord, a gynecologic oncologist at Duke Cancer Center, highlighted the importance of these approvals, stating that they offer new options for patients and contribute to improved disease control. She emphasized the significance of these therapies in the context of the rising incidence and mortality rates of uterine cancers.

Imfinzi is a PD-L1 inhibitor that targets the PD-L1 protein on cancer cells, preventing them from evading the immune system. Keytruda, on the other hand, binds to PD-1 and blocks its interaction with PD-L1, thereby enabling the immune system to attack cancer cells. Despite the different mechanisms of action, it remains uncertain if there's a difference in activity between the two therapies.

For patients with dMMR endometrial cancer, the treatment options now include Imfinzi plus chemotherapy, Keytruda plus chemotherapy, and Jemperli (dostarlimab) plus chemotherapy. However, the choice of treatment may vary based on factors such as the doctor's comfort with certain drugs and patient preferences. Dr. Secord advises patients to discuss with their doctors the importance of biomarker testing and the potential benefits of adding immunotherapy to their chemotherapy regimen.