Ramez N. Eskander

Top advances of the year: Uterine cancer

AbstractEndometrial cancer continues to be the only gynecologic malignancy with a rising incidence and mortality, with both regional and global implications. Combination carboplatin and paclitaxel has been the recognized chemotherapy backbone for the treatment of advanced‐stage or recurrent disease, with modest clinical outcomes. Over the last year, significant advances were achieved in improving oncologic outcomes by capitalizing on the molecular characterization of this heterogenous disease. These advances include incorporation of immunotherapy, identification of effective hormonal approaches, the evolution of antibody drug conjugates, and utilization of alternate targeted therapies.Plain Language Summary The molecular characterization of endometrial cancer has been critical in informing novel treatment strategies. Over the past year, significant gains have been made via the incorporation of immunotherapy, hormonal combinations as well as antibody drug conjugates.

Multi-center, international endometrial cancer consortium highlights

The multi-center, international consortium on endometrial cancer held in January 2025 at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota brought together leading experts in gynecologic oncology to explore the latest advancements in the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of endometrial cancer. Discussions centered on key topics, including updates in molecular testing and disease staging, emerging treatment strategies for advanced and recurrent disease, fertility-sparing management, and critical pathology challenges, particularly, the assessment of lympho-vascular space invasion. Each topic was examined in dedicated working group sessions, fostering in-depth exchanges to identify research priorities and develop actionable strategies. This summary highlights the central themes and insights from the meeting, outlining a roadmap for future advancements in the field. By promoting inter-disciplinary collaboration, the meeting laid the foundation for future research, policy recommendations, and clinical innovations aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Randomized study evaluating optimal dose, efficacy, and safety of E7386 plus lenvatinib versus treatment of physician’s choice in advanced/recurrent endometrial carcinoma previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors

Randomized controlled trial data for patients with endometrial cancer who experience disease progression after anti-programmed cell death [ligand] 1 (PD-[L]1) therapy are lacking. E7386, a novel small-molecule inhibitor, has been shown to enhance anti-angiogenesis when combined with lenvatinib. The escalation and expansion parts of Study 102 showed preliminary anti-tumor activity and manageable safety of E7386 plus lenvatinib in patients with advanced, un-resectable, or recurrent endometrial cancer previously treated with anti-PD-(L)1. This study aimed to determine the optimal dose of E7386 in combination with lenvatinib. E7386 plus lenvatinib will show a manageable safety profile and clinically meaningful anti-tumor activity in patients with advanced, un-resectable, or recurrent endometrial carcinoma previously treated with chemotherapy and anti-PD-(L)1 therapy. Study 102 is an open-label, global, phase 1b/2 trial. Patients with endometrial carcinoma will be randomized 1:1:1:1 to E7386 120 mg twice daily plus lenvatinib 14 mg once daily, E7386 60 mg twice daily plus lenvatinib 14 mg once daily, lenvatinib 24 mg once daily monotherapy, or treatment of physician's choice (doxorubicin 60 mg/m Eligible patients are aged ≥18 years with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 1 and must have advanced, un-resectable, or recurrent endometrial carcinoma that has progressed on/after prior platinum-based chemotherapy and PD-(L)1-directed therapy. Up to 3 previous lines of therapy are permitted. Individuals with prior treatment with lenvatinib or E7386 or known intolerance and/or known hypersensitivity to E7386, lenvatinib, doxorubicin, or paclitaxel, or any of their excipients, are not eligible to participate. The primary end points are safety and the objective response rate per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 by investigator assessment at week 24. The study aims to include 120 patients across approximately 80 investigational sites in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. Estimated Dates for Completing Accrual and Presenting Results: Enrollment is expected to take approximately 9 months, with presentation of results in 2026. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04008797.

Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer: overall survival and exploratory analyses of the NRG GY018 phase 3 randomized trial

Historically, the treatment of patients with advanced stage or recurrent endometrial cancer included paclitaxel plus carboplatin. Immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy resulted in improved clinical outcomes in several solid tumors. In the phase 3 NRG GY018 study, pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy significantly improved investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS; primary endpoint) versus placebo plus chemotherapy in patients with advanced/metastatic/recurrent endometrial cancer regardless of mismatch repair status. Here we report on key secondary endpoints and exploratory analyses. Patients were women ≥18 years old with newly diagnosed stage III or IVA endometrial cancer with measurable disease, or stage IVB or recurrent endometrial cancer with or without measurable disease. Patients (n = 810) were randomized (1:1) to pembrolizumab or placebo plus paclitaxel-carboplatin followed by maintenance pembrolizumab or placebo for up to 24 months. Overall survival was a secondary endpoint and PFS per RECIST v.1.1 by blinded independent central review was an exploratory endpoint. Overall survival data were immature; hazard ratios favored pembrolizumab (mismatch repair-proficient: 0.79 (0.53-1.17); 1-sided nominal P = 0.1157; mismatch repair-deficient: 0.55 (0.25-1.19); 1-sided nominal P = 0.0617). Hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for PFS per blinded independent central review favored pembrolizumab (mismatch repair-proficient: 0.64 (0.49-0.85); P = 0.0008; mismatch repair-deficient: 0.45 (0.27-0.73); P = 0.0005). These findings further support the use of pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with advanced stage or recurrent endometrial cancer regardless of mismatch repair status. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03914612 .