Immunotherapy research leads to promising endometrial cancer treatment at Ohio State

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07/17/23

Ohio State doctors and patients are working together to test new treatments for endometrial cancer that could reduce the risk of recurrence.

For some patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer — the most frequently-diagnosed form of the disease — a condition known as mismatch repair deficiency (MMR) can cause changes in their bodies that make another cancer diagnosis more likely.

“These patients may turn out to have a mismatch repair deficiency, which can change their DNA,” Floortje Backes, MD, says. “They cannot repair their DNA accurately, and that can lead to higher risk of development of cancer.”

The DNA changes caused by MMR deficiencies can make chemotherapy less effective for patients, complicating treatment. In response, Ohio State doctors are conducting a clinical trial to determine if the use of immunotherapy could help overcome obstacles presented by the deficiencies.

The trial has shown promise, Backes says, and could become a widely-used tool in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

“Patient with that specific change in their tumor were more likely to benefit from immunotherapy,” Backes says. “Our hope is that this will change the standard of care and result in better outcomes.”