MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc.) announces that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the use of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel (chemotherapy) for untreated primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer in adults.
This includes patients with mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) tumours and mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) tumours.
Endometrial cancer – the most common type of womb cancer – is the most prevalent of the five gynaecological cancers and the fourth most common cancer among women in the UK.
More than 9700 new cases are diagnosed annually in the UK. Most people who develop endometrial cancer are post-menopausal.
If diagnosed early (stages 1-2), survival of endometrial cancer is generally good, with more than 75% of those diagnosed with endometrial cancer surviving for 5 years or more.
However, for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer – where the cancer is at stage 3 or 4 – the rate of 5-year overall survival can be 50% or less.
Dr Eleanor Jones, Chair of Trustees at Peaches Womb Cancer Trust, said: “This is very welcome news for patients living in England, following approval in Scotland."
"This additional treatment for primary advanced or recurrent mismatch repair proficient and deficient endometrial cancer will provide much-needed options for patients currently facing the reality of limited cancer treatments.”
Dr Gemma Eminowicz, MBChB, MRCP, FRCR, MD(Res), Consultant Clinical Oncologist and Brachytherapy Lead at University College London Hospitals, said “Treatment options for patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer have been very limited."
"In recent years, the introduction of molecular classification and immunotherapy has changed the landscape considerably.”
“NICE's decision provides a welcome option for patients in the untreated setting, particularly those with mismatch repair proficient (pMMR) tumours who until now have lacked a first-line immunotherapy option."
"Treatment with pembrolizumab in combination with chemotherapy improves progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone, offering significant benefits for patients living with endometrial cancer.”
Benson Fayehun, Head of Oncology at MSD in the UK, said: “We welcome the decision from NICE, which offers an alternative treatment for patients with untreated primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer with either pMMR or dMMR tumours in England and Wales, bringing treatment options in line with those available to patients in Scotland."