Targeted therapy and immunotherapy for womb cancer
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy may be used to help control womb cancer and slow down the growth.
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy for womb cancer
Targeted therapy and immunotherapy may be used to treat womb cancer that has:
- come back (recurrent cancer)
- spread to other parts of the body (metastatic cancer).
Your cancer doctor will decide if targeted therapy or immunotherapy might be suitable for you. They will look at the type, stage, grade, genetic changes and risk group of your cancer.
They may be given as part of a clinical trial.
Related pages
Targeted therapy for womb cancer
Targeted therapies are drugs that find and attack cancer cells. Targeted therapy can help control the cancer and slow down the growth.
Your cancer doctor may use a targeted therapy called lenvatinib (Lenvima®). This is given as capsules you can take at home. It can be given in combination with an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab (Keytruda®) which is given into a vein as an outpatient. We have more information about these targeted therapy drugs.
We also have more information about the different targeted therapy drugs and combination treatments.
Related pages
Immunotherapy for womb cancer
Immunotherapy uses your immune system to find and attack cancer cells.
Your cancer doctor may use the following immunotherapy drugs:
- dostarlimab (Jemperli®)
- pembrolizumab (Keytruda®).
Pembrolizumab can also be given with a targeted therapy called lenvatinib (Lenvima®) which comes as capsules you take at home.
You usually have immunotherapy as an outpatient. Specialist chemotherapy nurses give immunotherapy and other anti-cancer drugs.
The drugs used for womb cancer are given into a vein (intravenously) similarly to chemotherapy.
Related pages
Side effects of immunotherapy
Immunotherapy can cause the immune system to become more active. That means it is better at finding and attacking cancer cells. But immunotherapy can also cause unwanted side effects. These are very different to the side effects of other cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy or hormonal therapy. Some people do not have many side effects, but side effects can be serious if they happen.
If immunotherapy makes the immune system too active it can cause inflammation in the body. This can be serious. Sometimes this can happen weeks, months or even more than a year after you finish immunotherapy. Your cancer doctor or specialist nurse can tell you more.
We have more information about having immunotherapy.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our womb cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
Oaknin, A. et al. Endometrial cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Annals of Oncology, Volume 33, Issue 9, 860 - 877
https://www.esmo.org/guidelines/guidelines-by-topic/esmo-clinical-practice-guidelines-gynaecological-cancers/endometrial-cancer (accessed January 2024).Berek JS, Matias-Guiu X, Creutzberg C, et al. FIGO staging of endometrial cancer: 2023. Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2023; 162: 383-394. doi:10.1002/ijgo.14923 (accessed January 2024).
Suspected cancer: recognition and referral. NICE guideline [NG12] Published: 23 June 2015 Last updated: 02 October 2023 Overview | Suspected cancer: recognition and referral | Guidance | NICE (accessed January 2024).
Miss Eva Myriokefalitaki
Reviewer
Clinical Director of Surgery and Consultant Gynaecology-Oncology Surgeon
Date reviewed
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