Pembrolizumab for Persistent, Recurrent, or Metastatic Cervical Cancer

This phase 3, double blind trial evaluated pembrolizumab combined with platinum based chemotherapy (with/without bevacizumab) versus placebo in 617 patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer. Results showed significant improvements in progression free survival (median 10.4 vs. 8.2 months; HR 0.65, P<0.001) and overall survival (24-month OS 50.4% vs. 40.4%; HR 0.67, P<0.001) in the pembrolizumab group. Benefits were consistent across PD-L1 expression subgroups (combined positive score ≥1 or ≥10). Grade 3–5 adverse events (e.g., anemia, neutropenia) were more frequent with pembrolizumab (81.8% vs. 75.1%). The study demonstrates pembrolizumab’s efficacy as first-line therapy for advanced cervical cancer, with a manageable safety profile.

This phase 3, double blind trial evaluated pembrolizumab combined with platinum based chemotherapy (with/without bevacizumab) versus placebo in 617 patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer. Results showed significant improvements in progression free survival (median 10.4 vs. 8.2 months; HR 0.65, P<0.001) and overall survival (24-month OS 50.4% vs. 40.4%; HR 0.67, P<0.001) in the pembrolizumab group. Benefits were consistent across PD-L1 expression subgroups (combined positive score ≥1 or ≥10). Grade 3–5 adverse events (e.g., anemia, neutropenia) were more frequent with pembrolizumab (81.8% vs. 75.1%). The study demonstrates pembrolizumab’s efficacy as first-line therapy for advanced cervical cancer, with a manageable safety profile.