Dr. Rischin Discusses the Future of Cemiplimab in Cervical Cancer

Danny Rischin, MD, director, Division of Cancer Medicine, head, Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, discusses the next steps with cemiplimab (Libtayo) in the treatment landscape of cervical cancer.

Cemiplimab is currently being investigated in a phase III study of patients with recurrent or metastatic platinum-refractory cervical cancer (NCT03257267). Phase I results presented at the 2018 ESMO Congress showed that the anti—PD-1 agent had antitumor activity both alone and in combination with hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer.

There are no effective therapies in the second-line setting for these patients, Rischin says. If cemiplimab is successful in the phase III trial, it could fill that unmet need. Additionally, Rischin suggests that per a positive phase III trial, it would be wise to study this agent in the first-line recurrent metastatic setting, and even earlier as adjuvant treatment for patients in the curative setting. Cemiplimab has the potential to have a global impact, as the rate of cervical cancer continues to climb across the world.