Drug for metastatic cervical cancer approved by the European Commission

A drug that demonstrated significant survival benefit in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer has been approved by the European Commission. 

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has announced that the European Commission (EC) approved Libtayo (cemiplimab) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer and disease progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy.

The EC approval in advanced cervical cancer is based on data from the global phase 3 trial, which was conducted with the GOG Foundation, the European Network for Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups (ENGOT) and NRG Oncology-Japan.

The trial evaluated Libtayo in comparison to an investigator’s choice of chemotherapy and enrolled 608 patients across 14 countries, irrespective of PD-L1 expression status or histology.

In March 2021, the trial was stopped early based on the highly significant effect of Libtayo on overall survival (OS) among squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients following a unanimous recommendation by the Independent Data Monitoring Committee.

“Despite recent advancements in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, there remain limited options for people with recurrent or metastatic cases,” said Israel Lowy, senior vice president at Regeneron.

“Libtayo was the first PD-1 inhibitor to demonstrate significant improvements in survival compared to chemotherapy in a Phase 3 trial.

“With this fourth approval from the European Commission, Libtayo can now be extended to appropriate patients in the European Union with advanced cervical cancer, irrespective of their PD-L1 status or histology.”

Professor Ignace Vergote, investigator and gynaecologist oncologist at University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium, and vice-chair of the Trial Steering Committee, said: “Consistent with our mission to bring the best treatments to patients across Europe living with gynaecological cancers, we are proud to have been a part of this landmark trial for Libtayo.

“Libtayo is an important advancement for patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer whose disease has progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy and could offer a new standard of care in this setting.

“We are grateful to those who participated in the trial and to our partners at Regeneron, ENGOT, the GOG Foundation and NRG Oncology-Japan without whom this approval would not have been possible.”

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and is most frequently diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 44.

Approximately 600,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 350,000 deaths from cervical cancer occur worldwide each year.

Almost all cases are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, with approximately 80 per cent classified as squamous cell carcinoma – arising from cells lining the external portion of the cervix – and the remainder largely adenocarcinomas – arising from glandular cells lining the internal portion of the cervix.

Cervical cancer is often curable when detected early and effectively managed, but treatment options are more limited in advanced stages.

In addition, Libtayo has also been approved in the EU for the treatment of three other types of cancer, including certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).