GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS

Lung Cancer

The use of immunotherapy agents for the treatment of gynecologic cancers is currently a hot topic in the field, with various clinical trials ongoing. The success of PARP inhibitors has also exploded over the past year, translating to improvements in progression-free survival and quality of life for some patients, says Erin K. Crane, MPH, MD.

The FDA has placed a clinical hold on a phase I/II study of axalimogene filolisbac and durvalumab, according to an announcement by Advaxis, the manufacturer of axalimogene filolisbac, in a quarterly earnings report.The study is evaluating the combination in patients with advanced, recurrent or refractory HPV-associated cervical cancer and HPV-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) has been granted a priority review by the FDA for the treatment of advanced cervical cancer with disease progression on or after chemotherapy.

David O'Malley, MD, discusses the excitement surrounding PARP inhibitors for patients with ovarian cancer.

In an 8 to 4 vote, the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee recommended approval of blinatumomab for the treatment of minimal residual disease-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Lung Cancer

The FDA has granted a fast track designation to pamrevlumab for the treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer, according to FibroGen, the manufacturer of the first-in-class anti-CTGF antibody.

Kathleen Moore, MD, associate director for clinical research at the Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center, discusses the development of combination therapy strategies for patients with ovarian cancer.