Question

How will you select a patient of cervical cancer for immunotherapy?

Hint:

PD-L1 testing and a patient's prior treatment history are key factors in selecting appropriate candidates for immunotherapy in cervical cancer.

Answer 1

Selecting a patient for immunotherapy in cervical cancer involves assessing several clinical and molecular factors.
Step 1: Key Selection Criteria:
1. PD-L1 Expression: Patients with cervical cancer whose tumors express PD-L1 are more likely to respond to checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab. PD-L1 testing is critical in determining eligibility for immunotherapy.
2. Previous Treatment History: Immunotherapy is typically considered for patients who have failed chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Immunotherapy has shown the best results in advanced stages or recurrent disease.
3. Performance Status: Patients should have a good performance status (e.g., ECOG score of 0-1) to tolerate immunotherapy without significant side effects.
4. Histological Diagnosis: Immunotherapy is more likely to be effective in certain histological subtypes, such as squamous cell carcinoma, which is more commonly seen in cervical cancer.