New Treatments & Clinical Trials for Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is now largely preventable through HPV vaccination and screening, but about 14,000 people in the United States are diagnosed each year. Treatment typically involves surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or combinations of these. Research is focused on immunotherapy, targeted drugs, and better approaches for advanced or recurrent disease.

What's actually going on in research

Trials are testing immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab (already FDA-approved for some cervical cancers), antibody-drug conjugates that deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells, and combinations that may work better than current chemotherapy. Researchers are also studying ways to catch recurrence earlier and treat HPV-positive cancers that don't respond to standard therapy.

What to know before you search

Eligibility typically depends on cancer stage, whether disease is newly diagnosed or recurrent, prior treatments received, and HPV status.

What types of trials are currently open

• Treatment trials — Testing new drugs or drug combinations for advanced or recurrent cervical cancer, often comparing them to standard chemotherapy.
• Immunotherapy trials — Studies of checkpoint inhibitors, vaccines, or cell therapies that activate the immune system against cancer.
• Radiation trials — Testing new radiation techniques or combinations with drugs to improve outcomes while reducing side effects.
• Surgical trials — Studies comparing surgical approaches, especially minimally invasive techniques, for early-stage disease.
• Maintenance trials — Testing whether continuing treatment after initial therapy can prevent or delay recurrence.