A short course of induction chemotherapy may significantly improve survival of patients being treated for cervical cancer, British researchers report today.
Preliminary findings of a British-led trial of the treatment were reported yesterday to the conference of the European Society of Medical Oncology.
A ten year study has involved 500 patients in the UK, Mexico, India, Italy and Brazil with a median age of 46 and was led by University College, London.
The research compared standard chemoradiotherapy with an initial six week course of chemotherapy using carboplatin and paclitaxel.
According to the preliminary findings, 80% of those who received the initial chemotherapy were alive after five years compared with 72% of those receiving standard chemoradiotherapy. 73% of those in the trial group had not seen a recurrence or spread of cancer compared with 64% of those in the standard treatment group.
Dr Mary McCormack, lead investigator of the trial from UCL Cancer Institute and UCL Hospitals, said: “Our trial shows that this short course of additional chemotherapy delivered immediately before the standard chemoradiotherapy can reduce the risk of the cancer returning or death by 35%.
“This is the biggest improvement in outcome in this disease in over 20 years. I’m incredibly proud of all the patients who participated in the trial; their contribution has allowed us to gather the evidence needed to improve treatment of cervical cancer patients everywhere.”
Dr Iain Foulkes, director of research at Cancer Research UK, said: “Timing is everything when you’re treating cancer. The simple act of adding induction chemotherapy to the start of chemoradiation treatment for cervical cancer has delivered remarkable results in this trial.
“A growing body of evidence is showing the value of additional rounds of chemotherapy before other treatments like surgery and radiotherapy in several other cancers. Not only can it reduce the chances of cancer coming back, it can be delivered quickly using drugs already available worldwide.
“We’re excited for the improvements this trial could bring to cervical cancer treatment and hope short courses of induction chemotherapy will be rapidly adopted in the clinic.”
Mary McCormack et al. A randomized phase III trial of induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation compared with chemoradiation alone in locally advanced cervical cancer. The GCIG INTERLACE trial. ESMO Congress 2023
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