In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Domenica Lorusso to discuss  KEYNOTE-A18 Overall Survival Results: Pembrolizumab and Chemoradiotherapy. Dr. Domenica Lorusso, MD, PhD, directs the Gynaecological Oncology Unit at Humanitas Hospital, Milan, and holds a Full Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan. She has led/participated in approximately 250 phase I-IV clinical trials. Currently overseeing more than 60 studies as Principal Investigator, Dr. Lorusso also chairs the Clinical Trials Committee of the MITO Group. She serves on the Board of Directors of the GCIG and is an active member of ENGOT, where she chairs the Gynecological Cancer Academy. Additionally, she sits on the Board of Directors of the ESGO. With around 300 international oncology publications and contributions to national and international treatment guidelines, her primary objectives are to ensure optimal patient care, foster clinical research, and advance international collaborations and education in the field.

• In a phase 3 trial (ENGOT-cx11/GOG-3047/KEYNOTE-A18), pembrolizumab added to chemoradiotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival and overall survival for patients with locally advanced, high-risk cervical cancer.


• Patient Group: 1060 patients with FIGO 2014 stage IB2–IVA cervical cancer from 30 countries were randomized to receive pembrolizumab with chemoradiotherapy or placebo with chemoradiotherapy.


• Overall Survival: At a median follow-up of 29.9 months, the 36-month overall survival rate was 82.6% in the pembrolizumab group versus 74.8% in the placebo group, with a hazard ratio for death of 0.67 (95% CI 0.50–0.90; p=0.0040).


• Safety Profile: Grade 3 or higher adverse events were reported in 78% of pembrolizumab-treated patients versus 70% in the placebo group, with higher rates of potentially immune-mediated adverse events in the pembrolizumab group (39% vs. 17%).


• Conclusion: These findings confirm pembrolizumab plus chemoradiotherapy as an effective and potentially new standard of care for locally advanced cervical cancer.