Advances in Cervical Cancer Treatment: Immunotherapy, Targeted Therapy, and Biomarker-Driven Care
As part of the Pfizer–Genmab funded Cervical Cancer Education and Equity Initiative, we are highlighting emerging advances in immunotherapy and biomarker-driven treatment for cervical cancer. These developments are transforming care, particularly for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease, and have important implications for clinical practice.
Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern, and innovations in immunotherapy, molecular testing, and targeted therapy are reshaping the treatment landscape.
Evolving Standard Treatments:Treatment for cervical cancer depends on disease stage and may include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and increasingly, immunotherapy.
Targeted therapies are now available for patients with specific molecular alterations, making biomarker testing essential for informed treatment planning.
PD-L1 and Immunotherapy: PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, are now used in some cases—particularly for tumors expressing PD-L1.
*PD-L1 expression is measured using the Combined Positive Score (CPS ≥ 1), which can influence treatment decisions.
*Additional agents and combinations, including atezolizumab (anti–PD-L1), are increasingly incorporated into clinical practice guidelines and are the subject of ongoing research.
Biomarker Testing Beyond PD-L1: A significant proportion of advanced cervical cancer cases express PD-L1, making immunotherapy a viable option for many patients.
Molecular testing for HER2 amplification, NTRK fusions, RET alterations, and high tumor mutational burden (TMB) is increasingly important for identifying candidates for targeted therapies and guiding treatment decisions.
Clinical Trials & Emerging Therapies: Major clinical trials have evaluated immunotherapy in PD-L1–positive cervical cancer, leading to its inclusion in NCCN treatment guidelines.
- Novel antibody-drug conjugates
- Targeted therapies for biomarker-defined subgroups
Learn More & Access Resources: You can find more information about PD-L1 testing, immunotherapy, and emerging cervical cancer treatments on our program website.
Why This Matters for Clinicians: Understanding these advances is essential for clinicians and care teams to offer timely, guideline-concordant, and equitable treatment to patients with advanced cervical cancer. You can find more information about PD-L1 testing, immunotherapy, and emerging cervical cancer treatments on our program website.
As immunotherapy and biomarker testing become standard, integrating them into routine workflows can significantly improve outcomes.
And don’t miss our Prior Authorization Toolkit — a resource to streamline workflows, reduce delays, and improve access to timely care for patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer. Accurate documentation reduces denials and accelerates access to life-saving treatment.
