A new study has revealed that a short course of chemotherapy before radiation therapy can significantly improve survival rates for cervical cancer patients.
The findings mark a breakthrough in the treatment of this disease.
The study, published in The Lancet, demonstrates that using widely available chemotherapy drugs before starting radiation therapy enhances patient outcomes. This approach combines chemotherapy with the standard treatment of radiation therapy.
Dr. Mary McCormack, a leading researcher from University College London’s Cancer Institute, emphasized the importance of this discovery, calling it the most significant advancement in cervical cancer treatment in over 20 years.
She expressed gratitude to the patients involved in the trial, noting that their participation has provided the evidence needed to improve care for cervical cancer patients globally.
The chances of cervical cancer
Cervical cancer mostly affects women between the ages of 35 and 44. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 14,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the US.
Survival chances depend heavily on how early the disease is detected, with later stages being more difficult to treat. Unfortunately, about 4,360 people are expected to die from cervical cancer annually in the US.
Study design and clinical trial
The clinical trial spanned a decade from 2012 to 2022 and involved 500 cervical cancer patients from 32 medical centers across five countries: Brazil, the UK, Mexico, Italy, and India.
Patients were divided into two groups. One group received standard treatment, which consisted of radiation therapy followed by chemotherapy. The second group received an additional short course of chemotherapy before the standard radiation and chemotherapy.
After five years, the results were promising. In the group that received conventional treatment, 72 percent of the patients survived. However, in the group that received the extra round of chemotherapy, 80 percent of patients were still alive.
Additionally, the study found that the added chemotherapy reduced the likelihood of the cancer returning by 35 percent.
HPV and the role of vaccination
Cervical cancer is primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The incidence of cervical cancer has been decreasing among younger women, likely due to the success of the HPV vaccine.
In countries where the vaccine uptake is high, the impact has been significant. For example, Scotland has reported no cases of cervical cancer in vaccinated young women since the vaccine was first introduced in 2008.
However, not all women are equally protected. Older women, who did not have access to the vaccine when they were younger, as well as unvaccinated women, remain at risk of developing and dying from cervical cancer.
The findings of this clinical trial offer new hope for cervical cancer patients, especially those who may face higher risks.
