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Hello there, 

We’re sharing encouraging news about advancements in women’s health. A recent meta-analysis published in BMC Women's Health examined innovative treatment strategies for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. This type of analysis gathers and compares results from multiple clinical trials to provide a clearer picture of how well certain treatments work. In this case, researchers analyzed data from 12 clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of combining anti-angiogenic therapy—which targets blood vessel growth in tumors—with immunotherapy to improve the survival in patients with advanced endometrial cancer.

While endometrial cancer presents challenges, particularly in its advanced stages, ongoing research continues to refine and expand treatment options. Today, we’ll explore key findings from this study and what they could mean for the future of care.

What is Endometrial Cancer?

Endometrial cancer (EC) occurs when cancerous cells develop in the lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium. It is the most common form of uterine cancer, accounting for approximately 83% of all uterine corpus cancer cases.

Who Does It Affect?

Endometrial cancer is often diagnosed at an early stage, where treatment options are generally effective. However, for individuals with advanced or recurrent EC, treatment becomes more challenging. The five-year survival rate in these cases remains low, ranging between 20% and 25%, underscoring the need for more effective therapies.

Fortunately, advances in immunotherapy and anti-angiogenic treatments are paving the way for more promising options, offering renewed hope for those facing this disease at later stages.

The Role of Angiogenesis

Like all cells in the body, cancer cells require nutrients and oxygen to grow—and they get these resources by triggering the growth of new blood vessels, a process known as angiogenesis. In endometrial cancer, uncontrolled angiogenesis allows tumors to thrive and spread.

This is where anti-angiogenic therapy comes in. By blocking the formation of new blood vessels, these treatments essentially "starve" tumors of their fuel source, slowing or even stopping their growth. The latest research, including findings from the meta-analysis we’re discussing today, suggests that combining anti-angiogenic agents with immunotherapy may enhance treatment effectiveness, offering new hope for those with advanced or recurrent EC.

Novel Immunotherapies

One of the most promising advances in cancer treatment is harnessing the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. Immunotherapy helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells that would otherwise evade detection. A key approach is the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which block proteins that cancer cells use to hide from the immune system.

But how do these therapies work in practice? 

PD-1 and PD-L1 

Think of PD-1 and PD-L1 as natural brakes that prevent the immune system from attacking healthy cells. Cancer cells can exploit these proteins to evade immune defenses. By blocking PD-1 and PD-L1, immunotherapy “releases the brakes,” allowing the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively.

The Power of Combination Therapy

Researchers have explored combining immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with anti-angiogenic agents, which target the blood vessels that feed tumors. When used together, this approach has shown greater effectiveness than either treatment alone.

Here's what the meta-analysis found:

• PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors alone led to a 41% higher progression-free survival rate compared to chemotherapy, meaning patients lived significantly longer without their cancer worsening.

• Combining PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors with anti-angiogenic agents further increased progression-free survival to 52%—a 10% improvement over immunotherapy alone.

These findings suggest that cutting off a tumor’s blood supply while activating the immune system may be an even more effective strategy for treating advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

How Genetics Matter

Beyond blood vessel growth, certain genetic factors also influence how tumors respond to treatment. One key factor is a tumor's ability to repair DNA damage—known as mismatch repair status. This plays an important role in determining which treatments may be most effective.

Not all tumors respond the same way to immunotherapy. Mismatch repair status (MMR) is one of the key factors that helps guide treatment decisions.

• dMMR (Deficient Mismatch Repair): Tumors with dMMR have trouble correcting errors in their DNA. These cancers tend to be highly responsive to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors alone.

• pMMR (Proficient Mismatch Repair): Tumors with pMMR can still repair DNA errors effectively, making them less sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibitors alone. However, research suggests that these tumors may respond better to combination therapy, such as ICIs paired with anti-angiogenic agents.

By personalizing treatments based on tumor characteristics, doctors can maximize effectiveness and improve patient outcomes.

Stay Ahead

The study we discussed today highlights how new combination therapies are transforming the treatment of advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer. By targeting the immune system and simultaneously starving the tumor’s blood supply, these approaches are paving the way for more effective, personalized treatment strategies. Research is ongoing, but these advancements offer renewed hope for women facing this challenging disease.

Want to learn more? Download our free guide on cancer-fighting foods and discover how certain nutrients support your body’s natural defenses.

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Best wishes,
- The Angiogenesis Foundation