Immune checkpoint inhibitors in gynecological cancers: a narrative review on the practice-changing trials

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Gynecologic Oncology

Background:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer therapy, improving patient prognosis and quality of life.
• Gynecologic cancers historically had poor prognoses despite conventional treatments.
• Immunotherapy, particularly ICIs, offers a significant advancement in managing these cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review practice-changing studies on immune checkpoint inhibitors in gynecologic cancers.
• To summarize the impact of immunotherapy on cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and vulvar cancers.
• To highlight the differential efficacy of ICIs across various gynecologic malignancies.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of key clinical studies.
• Focus on practice-changing research involving immune checkpoint inhibitors.
• Analysis of treatment outcomes in cervical, endometrial, ovarian, and vulvar cancers.

Main Results:

• Immunotherapy has dramatically altered treatment paradigms for advanced cervical and endometrial cancers.
• Consistent positive results with immune checkpoint inhibitors are lacking in ovarian cancer, with exceptions in rare subtypes.
• The review synthesizes evidence from landmark trials impacting clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a major therapeutic advance for specific gynecologic cancers like cervical and endometrial.
• Further research is needed to overcome resistance and improve ICI efficacy in ovarian cancer.
• The review provides a comprehensive overview of ICI applications in gynecologic oncology.