Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 23, 2025
Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2019
Miseon Kim1, Dong Hoon Suh2, Kyung Hun Lee3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
In 2019, 12 topics were selected as the major research advances in gynecologic oncology. Herein, we first opted to introduce the significant clinical activity of pembrolizumab in women with advanced cervical cancer based on the results of the phase 2 KEYNOTE-158 trial. Thereafter, we reviewed 5 topics, including systemic lymphadenectomy in the advanced stage with no gross residual tumor, secondary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer according to the results of Gynecologic Oncology Group-213 trial, dose-dense weekly paclitaxel scheduling as first-line chemotherapy, the utility of intraperitoneal therapy in the advanced stage, and an update on poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors for the treatment of ovarian cancer. Additionally, we conducted a thorough review of emerging data from several clinical trials on PARP inhibitors according to drug, target population, and combined usage. For uterine corpus cancer, we reviewed adjuvant therapy for high-risk disease and chemotherapy in advanced/recurrent disease. For the field of radiation oncology, we discussed the utility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy added to chemoradiotherapy and the treatment of radiation-induced cystitis using hyperbaric oxygen. Finally, we discussed the use of individualized therapy with humanized monoclonal antibodies (trastuzumab emtansine and sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) and combination therapy (fulvestrant plus alpesilib, fulvestrant plus anastrozole, and ribociclib plus endocrine therapy) for women with advanced breast cancer.
Insights
Pembrolizumab shows promise in advanced cervical cancer. Research also highlights advances in ovarian, uterine, and breast cancer treatments, including novel drug combinations and surgical techniques for gynecologic oncology.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Oncology
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Oncology
Background:
- 2019 identified 12 major research advances in gynecologic oncology.
- Key areas include cervical, ovarian, uterine, and breast cancers.
- Advances span systemic therapies, surgical interventions, and radiation oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review significant 2019 research advances in gynecologic oncology.
- To introduce pembrolizumab's activity in advanced cervical cancer.
- To update on treatments for ovarian, uterine, and breast cancers.
Main Methods:
- Review of phase 2 KEYNOTE-158 trial for pembrolizumab in cervical cancer.
- Literature review of systemic lymphadenectomy, cytoreductive surgery, chemotherapy, and intraperitoneal therapy in ovarian cancer.
- Analysis of clinical trial data on poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors.
- Review of adjuvant and advanced/recurrent disease therapies for uterine corpus cancer.
- Discussion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation-induced cystitis treatment.
- Examination of individualized and combination therapies for advanced breast cancer.
Main Results:
- Pembrolizumab demonstrated significant clinical activity in advanced cervical cancer.
- Systemic lymphadenectomy and secondary cytoreductive surgery show utility in specific ovarian cancer settings.
- Dose-dense weekly paclitaxel and intraperitoneal therapy are relevant chemotherapy strategies.
- PARP inhibitors offer updated treatment options for ovarian cancer, with emerging data on combination usage.
- Adjuvant therapy and chemotherapy show promise for uterine corpus cancer.
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen for radiation cystitis are discussed.
- Individualized therapies like trastuzumab emtansine and combination regimens are advancing breast cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress was made in 2019 across gynecologic oncology subfields.
- Pembrolizumab represents a key advance for advanced cervical cancer.
- Novel therapeutic strategies, including PARP inhibitors and targeted agents, are transforming ovarian and breast cancer care.
- Multimodal approaches combining surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are crucial for optimal outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis