The immune checkpoint inhibitor avelumab has been approved for multiple cancer types, but has thus far had mixed results in gynecologic patients. A study led by Aung Naing, M.D., was designed to evaluate whether combining avelumab with a 4-1BB agonist (utomilumab), an OX40 agonist (PF-04518600) or radiotherapy would increase efficacy.
Although the combinations proved to be safe, they did not produce significant responses in this heavily pretreated population. In 35 patients evaluated, the overall response rate (ORR) was 2.9% and the disease control rate (DCR) was 37.1%. No dose-limiting toxicities or treatment-related adverse events were observed.
There was a notable result in the cervical cancer population where nine patients who received avelumab plus utomilumab had a DCR of 78%, which could warrant further study for these patients.