Improving survival from metastatic, recurrent, or persistent cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is a major cause of death and morbidity worldwide, and prognosis remains poor in those with advanced disease.1 We welcome the publication in The Lancet of the BEATcc trial (ENGOT-Cx10–GEICO 68-C–JGOG1084–GOG-3030), which shows a significant survival advantage from adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor to standard-of-care therapy.2 Previously, the phase 3 Gynaecologic Oncology Group 240 trial established chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab as standard first-line treatment for incurable cervical cancer, with a median overall survival of approximately 17 months.