Cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and screening, yet it remains a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Treatment depends on stage: early cases may be cured with surgery, while advanced disease requires chemotherapy, radiation, or newer targeted drugs. Most research now focuses on immune therapies and on reaching women who lack access to screening.
What's actually going on in research
Trials are testing immune checkpoint inhibitors that help the body attack HPV-driven cancer cells, antibody-drug conjugates that deliver chemotherapy directly to tumors, and combinations that may work better than radiation plus chemotherapy. Researchers are also studying therapeutic vaccines aimed at clearing persistent HPV infection and preventing recurrence after initial treatment.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors
Pembrolizumab is FDA-approved for advanced cervical cancer and is now being tested earlier in treatment. Trials are exploring whether adding it to standard chemotherapy and radiation improves outcomes.
Antibody-drug conjugates
These drugs attach chemotherapy to antibodies that find cancer cells, reducing damage to healthy tissue. Tisotumab vedotin was approved in 2021 and newer versions are in trials.
Therapeutic HPV vaccines
Unlike preventive HPV vaccines, these aim to treat existing infection or cancer by training the immune system to attack HPV-infected cells. Early trials are testing them in precancerous lesions and after surgery.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically depends on cancer stage, HPV status, prior treatments, and whether disease has recurred or spread beyond the cervix.
What types of trials are currently open
- Immunotherapy trials — Testing checkpoint inhibitors alone or combined with chemotherapy and radiation, often for locally advanced or recurrent disease.
- Targeted therapy trials — Testing antibody-drug conjugates and drugs that target specific proteins on cervical cancer cells.
- Combination trials — Comparing new drug combinations against the standard of chemotherapy plus radiation, aiming to improve survival or reduce side effects.
- Vaccine trials — Testing therapeutic vaccines designed to eliminate HPV or prevent cancer from returning after treatment.
- Biomarker studies — Collecting tumor samples to identify which patients respond best to immunotherapy or other treatments.
Recently added Cervical Cancer trials
C2001P-CS6: Testing the Feasibility of Different HPV Screening and Care Strategies for Women Living With HIV
The overall goal of this study is to inform the design and establish feasibility for a future clinical trial to determine the optimal management of women living with HIV (WLWH) with high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) detected on HPV-based cervical cancer screening. WLWH have a higher diversity of anogenital HPV types causing cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (hHSIL) and invasive cancer compared to women without HIV. While there is consensus that women testing positive for HPV 16 and/or 18 should be immediately managed and treated, optimal management strategies for women with other hrHPV types (non-16/18) are not well defined. This prospective cohort study will enroll WLWH undergoing cervical cancer screening using primary HPV testing. Women will self-collect vaginal specimens for hrHPV testing using the Abbott Alinity m HPV assay, which provides extended HPV genotyping and a proxy for HPV viral load based on cycle threshold (CT) values. Women with hrHPV detected will return for further evaluation and treatment as indicated. A subset of women will return at Month 6 for repeat evaluation. The study will evaluate feasibility for a future trial by examining recruitment, retention, return for evaluation, and completion of treatment. It will also explore management strategies for women with non-16/18 hrHPV based on extended genotyping and HPV viral load compared to standard of care approaches using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA).
A Study of SYS6010 Combined With Enlonstobart in Patients With Previously Systemic Treatment-Naive R/M Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
This is a randomized, open-label, multicenter phase Ⅲ trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SYS6010 combined with Enlonstobart injection versus Tislelizumab combined with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) in patients with previously systemic treatment-naive recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Find Cervical Cancer trials matched specifically to you
Answer 3 quick questions and we'll show you trials that fit your situation.