A Phase II clinical trial has found that sacituzumab govitecan, an FDA-approved breast cancer drug, may offer a promising new treatment option for advanced uterine cancer. The study enrolled 50 patients whose disease had progressed despite standard therapies. Researchers reported that 70% of participants experienced tumor shrinkage, while 28% achieved a significant reduction of at least 30%. These response rates are notably higher than those typically seen with current third-line treatments.
The drug targets Trop-2, a protein commonly found on uterine cancer cells, allowing chemotherapy to be delivered directly to tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Patients experienced manageable side effects, including bone marrow suppression and gastrointestinal symptoms, and the treatment appeared less toxic than conventional chemotherapy.
The findings are significant because uterine cancer rates are expected to rise in the coming years and treatment options remain limited for patients with resistant disease. A Phase III trial is now underway to further evaluate the therapy’s effectiveness.