Cemiplimab is in clinical development for the treatment of recurrent, persistent, or metastatic cervical cancer. Recurrent cancer is when the cancer returns months or years after the original treatment; persistent cancer is when the tumour does not respond to treatment or a second tumour develops despite the completion of treatment. Metastatic cancer is when the tumour has spread outside the original tumour site, to other areas of the body. If cervical cancer is recurrent, metastatic or persistent, there are limited treatment options, with treatments usually aiming to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Cemiplimab is a type of protein called an antibody, which can bind to PD-1 and prevent it interacting with PD-L1. Therefore, it allows the T-cells (a type of immune cell) to attack the cancer cells. Cemiplimab is administered by intravenous infusion (injection into the vein) once every three weeks. If licensed, cemiplimab would offer an additional treatment option for patients with recurrent, persistent or metastatic cervical cancer.