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Cervical cancer remains a pressing global health threat, especially among women diagnosed with advanced or metastatic forms of this condition. Unfortunately, available treatments have traditionally been limited; however, with the approval of Tivdak (tisotumab vedotin-tftv), treatment options have now broadened dramatically; its innovative therapy that targets cancer cells more directly is seen as a breakthrough for cervical cancer treatment.
What Is Tivdak?
Tivdak, approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021, is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC). Designed specifically to treat adults with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer who have not responded to chemotherapy treatments, Tivdak uses antibodies specifically targeting tissue factor (a protein found in high levels on some cancer cells) with chemotherapy drugs in order to direct its cancer-fighting payload directly where it needs to go while limiting collateral damage from healthy cells. How Does Tivdak Work?
How Does Tivdak Work?
Tivdak’s effectiveness lies at its heart in its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) mechanism. This drug consists of two key components.
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Tisotumab: being one which specifically binds tissue factor, a protein often overexpressed on cervical cancer cell surfaces.
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Vedotin: When antibodies bind with cancer cells, Tivdak releases vedotin – a cytotoxic agent that disrupts their internal structures, killing them effectively.
Tivdak uses an innovative mechanism that targets cancer cells more effectively while simultaneously limiting collateral damage to healthy tissue–something traditional chemotherapy cannot do effectively.
Who Should Consider Tivdak?
 Tivdak should be considered by women who have experienced recurrence or metastatic cervical cancer after receiving chemotherapy treatment, particularly those whose cancer returned or spread despite previous attempts at treatments such as radiation. Although other therapies have failed, Tivdak offers promising solutions when other approaches fail.
Effectiveness of Tivdak in Clinical Trials
The innovaTV 204 clinical trial that led to Tivdak’s FDA approval demonstrated promising results. 24% of patients treated with Tivdak experienced tumour shrinkage while its median duration of response was 8.3 months – numbers which might seem inconsequential but nevertheless represent progress for those left without viable options for cancer therapy.
Tivdak was discovered to significantly delay disease progression, offering hope of increased survival rates and quality of life improvements for women living with advanced cervical cancer. Even small improvements in progression-free survival can make a substantial difference.
Tackling Side Effects from Tivdak
As with any cancer therapy, Tivdak may cause side effects which vary in intensity between patients. Commonly reported side effects are:
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fatigue and
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nausea
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Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage causing tingling or numbness) has also been reported as potential adverse reactions of this medication.
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Ocular Toxicity: (Blurred Vision and Dry Eyes Due to the drug’s effects on eyes), patients may require prophylactic eye drops and periodic eye exams during treatment. Fatigue and neuropathy tend to be managed through supportive care and adjustments can be made according to severity.
