A single-institution retrospective exploratory analysis on the effectiveness and safety of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab for advanced endometrial cancer: insights from ProMisE molecular classification system

Abstract

Abstract Background The Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial Cancer has identified four risk groups for the prognosis of endometrial cancer. Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab was recently approved as a second-line treatment for unresectable endometrial cancer, but reports in clinical practice are lacking. The relationship between the efficacy of lenvatinib/pembrolizumab and Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial Cancer classification is unclear. Methods This single-centre retrospective study included patients who underwent lenvatinib/pembrolizumab therapy at Iwate Medical University Hospital between January 2022 and March 2023. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens obtained from patients before treatment were collected and classified into the mismatch repair-deficient, p53 abnormal and no specific molecular profile subtypes using immunohistochemistry. The response rate, progression-free survival and adverse events were evaluated using electronic medical records. The study was approved by the hospital’s ethics committee (approval number: MH2022-093). Results This study enrolled 20 patients, who underwent a median follow-up of 17.8 months (95% confidence interval: 16.6–18.9). The best overall response rate was 60.0% (36.1–80.9), and the median progression-free survival was 11.6 months (2.9–20.3). The median progression-free survival in the p53 abnormal group (n = 9) was 3.4 months (3.0–3.8); however, progression-free survival did not reach the median (P < 0.001) in the mismatch repair-deficient/no specific molecular profile group (n = 11). Symptomatic immune-related adverse events (except hypothyroidism) occurred in 4/20 (25.0%) patients, and partial responses were observed in all cases. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusion The p53abn group in the Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial Cancer classification has a poor prognosis even after treatment with lenvatinib/pembrolizumab.