Novel agents and treatment techniques to enhance radiotherapeutic outcomes in carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

BACKGROUND: Survival of patients with locally advanced carcinoma cervix (LACC) using the current standard of concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CCRT) has reached a plateau over the last two decades. Loco-regional failure in first two years of treatment completion and distant metastasis in the subsequent years has put the survival curves at a halt. Strategies of induction and adjuvant chemotherapy have yielded little as has any advancement in techniques of delivery of radiation therapy. This article aims at discussing the current existing literature as well as promising novel strategies to enhance radiotherapeutic outcomes in carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

METHODS: The review of English literature included phase I-III trials evaluating either a novel agent, novel application/modifications of an existing treatment regimen or an innovative treatment technique. The studies have been divided in to subsections with summary of most important findings at the end of each section.

RESULTS: Despite CCRT being the 'gold standard' treatment, several issues like optimum drug combination, schedule of drug delivery, combination with molecular targeted agents etc. remain undefined. Taxane, topoisomerase and gemcitabine based regimen needs to be further explored and compared with cisplatin based CCRT regimen. Several approaches like local delivery of cytotoxic agents, use of nano-medicine with CCRT are appearing on horizon with promises for the future. Therapies need to be designed based on the human papillomavirus titers of the patients and incorporation of radiosensitizers as an effective way of palliation with short course of radiotherapy may further enhance the radiotherapeutic outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the studies with novel agents and treatment techniques appear promising. Further research in this arena including incorporation of cost-effectiveness analysis and quality of life issues in future trial designs are warranted.