FDA Grants Accelerated Approval to Jemperli as Uterine Cancer Drug for Recurrent or Advanced Stage Endometrial Cancer

 

Most women with invasive uterine cancer have either endometrial (lining of the uterus) cancer, or a tissue tumor that grows in the thin tissues of the uterine wall, known as the endometrial tumor. Another common type is uterine sarcomas, which form outside the uterus and occur in the muscle or other tissues of the ovary. Sometimes the two cancers are confused and treated as a single entity named as "ovarian carcinoma". While some cancers grow and spread rapidly, most remain localized and are treated surgically.

Uterine cancer drugs include, Paclitaxel (Taxol), Carboplatin, Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) or liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil), Cisplatin, and Docetaxel (Taxotere). These drugs can be administered orally or intravenously. Chemotherapy is used to kill or stop the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can cause side effects including hair loss, vomiting, nausea, constipation, dizziness, and loss of memory, bowel control, and sexual dysfunction. Patients receiving this type of cancer treatment may also experience bone loss, increased risk of blood clots, and slow wound healing.

Paclitaxel (Taxol) is a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of types of cancer. The uterine cancer drug is classified as a "plant alkaloid," a "taxane" and an "antimicrotubule agent." Carboplatin, sold under the trade name Paraplatin among others, is a chemotherapy drug used to treat ovarian and lung cancer. This drug is also used in the treatment of lung cancer, head and neck cancer, brain cancer, and neuroblastoma. Doxorubicin, sold under the brand name Adriamycin among others, is used in combination with other medications to treat certain types of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, and ovarian cancer. Cisplatin is a chemotherapy medication used to treat testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, head and neck cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, brain tumors and neuroblastoma.

Docetaxel is a taxoid antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of various cancers, such as locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and head and neck cancer. In April 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to Jemperli (dostarlimab) for treating patients with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer that has progressed on or following prior treatment with a platinum-containing chemotherapy.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, muscle/joint pain, numbness/tingling/burning of the hands/feet, flushing, dizziness, or drowsiness are some of the side effects of uterine cancer drugs.