This year is expected to provide significant insights into the future of cervical cancer treatment since out of the 107 ongoing clinical trials worldwide for cervical cancer, 30% are estimated to be completed by the end of the year, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Miguel Ferreira, MSc, Oncology and Hematology Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Cervical cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide and one of the most treatable and preventable types of cancer, given that up to 99% of cases are linked to infection with the high-risk variants of the sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). For Cervical Cancer Awareness month in January it is important to highlight the most anticipated events over the upcoming year.”

Currently there are 25 therapies approved for the prevention or treatment of cervical cancer, of which 19 are chemotherapy drugs. Of key interest in cervical cancer are the two approved prophylactic vaccines for the prevention of HPV infection, the only anti-angiogenic drug Avastin (bevacizumuab) and the only approved immunotherapy drug Keytruda (pembrolizumab). However, the results of the key ongoing trials in 2021 could result in the approval of at least two novel therapies for patients with advanced disease.

Ferreira continues: “Currently there are 12 Phase III clinical trials, all of which GlobalData estimates to be completed by 2023, however, four of these are likely to be completed in 2021. This is particularly exciting given that of these 12 late-stage trials only five can result in the approval of novel therapies and three of these five are set for 2021.”

Regeneron’s Libtayo (cemiplimab) is one of the key drugs for 2021 in cervical cancer, with the opportunity to become only the second PD-1 inhibitor for this indication. Another drug of interest is Photocure’s Cevira, an innovative drug to treat cervical persistent oncogenic HPV infections and precancerous lesions, which will be important in reducing the overall numbers of cervical malignancies upon approval.

Ferreira concludes: “Given the high level of late-stage development in cervical cancer, GlobalData is optimistic that some of the unmet needs in this indication are well on the way of being addressed in the next few years.”