In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Domenica Lorusso to discuss the KEYNOTE A18 clinical trial. Dr. Domenica Lorusso, MD, PhD, directs the Gynaecological Oncology Unit at Humanitas Hospital, Milan, and holds a Full Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan. She has led/participated in approximately 250 phase I-IV clinical trials. Currently overseeing more than 60 studies as Principal Investigator, Dr. Lorusso also chairs the Clinical Trials Committee of the MITO Group. She serves on the Board of Directors of the GCIG and is an active member of ENGOT, where she chairs the Gynecological Cancer Academy. Additionally, she sits on the Board of Directors of the ESGO. With around 300 international oncology publications and contributions to national and international treatment guidelines, her primary objectives are to ensure optimal patient care, foster clinical research, and advance international collaborations and education in the field.

Highlights:

- Concurrent chemoradiation plus brachiterapy represent the standard of care treatment in locally advanced cervical cancer providing up to 70% 5 years OS

- Modern radiotherapy technique (IMRT and VMAT) has reported to further increase OS and reduce toxicity 

- Immunotherapy has reported to increase OS in advanced or recurrent cervical cancer when compared to standard treatment

- Immunotherapy in combination with concurrent high quality chemoradiation in the treatment of locally advanced high risk cervical cancer further increase PFS and OS with respect to standard chemoradiotherapy and should be considered the new standard of care

- The combination appears manageable and no substanciad additional toxicity has been reported