Combining Immunotherapy with Chemotherapy Improves Survival and Quality of Life in Advanced Endometrial Cancer Patients

A recent study led by UCLA Health researchers has demonstrated that adding the immunotherapy drug dostarlimab to standard chemotherapy significantly benefits patients with advanced endometrial cancer. The combination not only extends overall survival but also enhances the quality of life during that period by reducing the time patients suffer from disease symptoms or severe side effects from treatment.

The international research team found that patients receiving dostarlimab alongside chemotherapy experienced at least a 10% increase in high-quality, symptom-free survival time compared to those treated with chemotherapy alone. In some cases, this translated to an additional 5.5 months of prolonged, high-quality life.

While the combination therapy was associated with a higher incidence of serious side effects (grade 3 or higher), the overall benefits in survival and quality of life outweighed these risks. Most immune-related adverse events were managed successfully, and serious side effects mostly occurred early in the treatment.

This research was published in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. Dostarlimab is a checkpoint inhibitor targeting PD-1, empowering the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells. Previously, the RUBY trial, a phase 3 study, showed that dostarlimab improved progression-free and overall survival in patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. However, the current study emphasizes quality of life, a crucial aspect often overlooked.

The analysis utilized data from the first interim assessment of the trial involving 494 adults, evaluating not just how long patients lived but how they felt during that period. Researchers calculated quality-adjusted survival by categorizing patient experiences into periods of side effects, symptom-free health, and post-progression states, with patient questionnaires providing crucial data.

The findings advocate for incorporating dostarlimab with chemotherapy as a new standard of care for advanced endometrial cancer, offering not just longer life but better quality during that time. Dr. Dana Chase from UCLA highlighted this as the first evidence demonstrating significant improvements in both overall survival and quality-adjusted survival with an immunotherapy combination. The study was supported by GSK, a leading biotech company.

For more detailed information, the full study is accessible here.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-adding-immunotherapy-standard-chemotherapy-quality.html