Gynecologic oncologist Angeles Alvarez Secord, MD, MHSc, participated in the June 6 Society for Gynecologic Oncology Virtual Congressional Briefing on Endometrial Cancer. The presentation was a call to action to address endometrial cancer, the critical need for additional research and efforts for prevention and early diagnosis of women's cancers.
The program also focused on the state of cancer care and the Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program. Noted was a decline in ovarian cancer cases and mortality. Of importance was the alarming rise in cases and deaths related to endometrial cancer.
In 2024, reporting shows for the first time, more women in the U.S. are dying of uterine cancer compared to ovarian cancers, specifically in younger populations. This greatly impacts women, including those who currently serve or have served in the U.S. armed forces, Dr. Secord noted.
Dr. Secord and colleagues addressed barriers to finding treatment and curing endometrial cancer, citing underfunding and lack of prioritization. Testing that does not cause significant discomfort for patients, newer treatments, why patients have relapse (even when promising regimens have been administered) and determining mechanisms for resistance need to be the focus, Dr. Secord stated. Access to care and the ability to participate in clinical trials are key and need to be addressed. A comprehensive approach is required, in addition to funding, she emphasized.
“There are only four FDA-approved drugs for endometrial cancer, since 1971. That is not acceptable,” Dr. Secord stated when specifying why progress has not been made to conquer this disease.
Progress in Conquering Ovarian Cancer
Also on June 6, “Mirvetuximab Soravtansine Meets Primary End Point of PICCOLO Trial in FRα-High, Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer” was published on OncLive.
"The PICCOLO data further support the potential of mirvetuximab soravtansine for platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer patients," stated Dr. Secord, the global Principal Investigator for the clinical trial.
"Additional clinical trials are evaluating mirvetuximab soravtansine, in the platinum-sensitive setting, including the GLORIOSA trial (NCT05445778), which is open at the Duke Cancer Institute. This trial is evaluating mirvetuximab soravtansine with bevacizumab versus bevacizumab, alone as maintenance therapy, in patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers that responded to platinum-based therapy. We are really excited about this study," stated Dr. Secord, the global Principal Investigator for the clinical trial.