About 13,000 people in the US are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, almost all caused by HPV. Vaccination and screening (now including at-home self-collection) are steadily reducing new cases. For locally advanced disease, chemoradiation has been improved by adding immunotherapy or a short course of chemotherapy first, and antibody-drug conjugates are changing care after relapse.
- 800studies open or running
- 55phase 3 trials
- 5,011papers published this year
- 40NIH-funded projects
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Now
Nov 2026
Immunotherapy with chemoradiationHappened 82.6% alive at 3 years
Pembrolizumab added to chemoradiation: 82.6% alive at 3 years, with a 33% lower risk of death.
82.6%: alive at 3 years with pembrolizumab.
Chemo first, then chemoradiationHappened 72% progression-free at 5 yrs
A short course of chemo before chemoradiation: 72% progression-free at 5 years vs 64%.
72%: progression-free at 5 years, vs 64%.
Less surgery for low-risk cancerHappened 2.52% pelvic recurrence
Simple hysterectomy was as safe as radical hysterectomy, with fewer bladder problems.
2.52%: pelvic recurrence at 3 years after simple hysterectomy.
A drug conjugate after relapseHappened 30% lower risk of death
Tisotumab vedotin lowered the risk of death by 30% vs chemotherapy.
30%: lower risk of death than chemotherapy.
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6 months
by May 2027
A blood test to guide extra chemoPossible
AddChemo gives extra chemotherapy only to women with HPV DNA still in their blood after treatment; due December 2026.
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12 months
by Nov 2027
A two-in-one immune antibody after chemoradiationPossible
AstraZeneca's eVOLVE-Cervical (800 people) tests volrustomig; due November 2027.
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3 years
by late 2029
A TROP2 drug conjugatePossible
Merck's sacituzumab tirumotecan is in phase 3 after relapse (686 people) and as first treatment with pembrolizumab (1,023 people).
Combining both intensification strategiesPossible
A National Cancer Institute trial gives pembrolizumab and chemo before chemoradiation; due 2030.
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5 years
by late 2031
Fewer cases from vaccinationPossible
As vaccinated generations reach screening age, cervical cancer rates are expected to keep falling.
The research paths
Intensifying chemoradiation
82.6% alive at 3 yearsDetails and 2 trialsHide
Adding immunotherapy or induction chemo to standard chemoradiation.
WatchTrials combining both.
Antibody-drug conjugates
30% lower risk of deathDetails and 2 trialsHide
Tissue factor and TROP2 drug conjugates for recurrent disease, moving earlier.
WatchSacituzumab tirumotecan trials.
Less treatment where safe
2.52% pelvic recurrenceDetails and 2 trialsHide
Smaller surgery and blood-test-guided decisions.
WatchAddChemo and PAROLA.
Prevention
DetailsHide
Borrowed from other cancers
From Lung and breast cancer
Sacituzumab tirumotecan
Phase 3
A TROP2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate.
Open to join now
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Locally advanced
Pembrolizumab and chemo before chemoradiation
Locations and eligibility → -
High-risk locally advanced
Volrustomig after chemoradiation
Locations and eligibility → -
Recurrent or metastatic, first treatment
Sacituzumab tirumotecan with pembrolizumab
Locations and eligibility → -
Locally advanced, Brazil
HPV DNA-guided chemo
Locations and eligibility →
See every recruiting Cervical cancer trial →
When the trials finish
Completion dates the trials registered. Results usually follow 3 to 12 months later.
- Heating up
- Maturing
- Early
- Cooling
- Fully enrolled, waiting on results
- Still enrolling
What just happened
HPV vaccine review confirms protection
Cochrane.
INTERLACE: induction chemo improves 5-year outcomes
The Lancet.
Standard treatment today
- PreventionHPV vaccination; HPV-based screening, including at-home self-collection.
- Early, low riskSurgery; simple hysterectomy is now an option for small, low-risk tumors.
- Locally advancedChemoradiation with pembrolizumab (high risk), or short induction chemo before chemoradiation.
- Recurrent or metastaticChemotherapy with pembrolizumab and often bevacizumab; tisotumab vedotin after that.
How to read this page, and sourcesHow to read this page, and sources
- KEYNOTE-A18 and INTERLACE enrolled different-risk patients, so their results cannot be compared directly.
- Forecasts are editorial judgments by Find a Trial, not predictions from sponsors or regulators.
See Cervical cancer trials recruiting now →