New Treatments for Recurrent Uterine Cancer

Curr Oncol Rep. 2021 Nov 4;23(12):139. doi: 10.1007/s11912-021-01129-4.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Endometrial cancer is a highly treatable cancer; however, 13 to 15% of cases recur. Traditional cytotoxic chemotherapies have produced modest results, but new treatments show promise. This information was compiled from an extensive literature search, which was completed in order to summarize current data in this review. Our objective was to describe new therapies for recurrent endometrial cancer in the last 5 years.

Recent findings: New targeted therapies are being identified for advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer. Within the last 5 years, pembrolizumab and lenvatinib have improved survival in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Similarly, trastuzumab has shown efficacy in HER2-producing uterine serous cancer. Patients with recurrent endometrial cancer are often difficult to salvage. Traditional chemotherapy has produced poor response rates. Both immunotherapy and other targeted therapies have shown promise in recurrent disease.

Keywords: Lenvatinib; PD-L1; Pembrolizumab; Recurrent endometrial cancer; Targeted therapies; Trastuzumab; Uterine serous cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Phenylurea Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Quinolines / therapeutic use
  • Trastuzumab / therapeutic use
  • Uterine Neoplasms / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Quinolines
  • pembrolizumab
  • lenvatinib
  • Trastuzumab