Gynaecological cancer
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Gynaecological cancers, including ovarian and endometrial cancer, remain some of the most complex, with early detection, prevention and risk reduction key challenges to address. Similarly, early and effective management is also an ongoing challenge despite recent advances, particularly in targeted therapies. These therapies are continuing to change the management landscape, but there is still a critical need for more timely, tailored approaches.
By becoming the partner of choice, our ambition is to harness precision care and the efficiency of the immune system to help transform care and improve survival for patients with gynaecological cancers across the globe.
Gynaecological cancer today: Changing outcomes starts with changing the approach
Gynaecological cancers - ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vaginal and vulvar - collectively, represent a significant global burden of cancer-related deaths in women.1,2 Earlier diagnosis, accelerated access to biomarker testing and timely access to the most suitable care options are achievable goals that could potentially help improve patient outcomes and save lives.
By 2030, it is estimated that:
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~18%
~22%
We have a bold ambition to try to eliminate gynaecological cancers as a cause of death. We are working to help transform care models and improve survival for women across the globe with an aim to reach 1 in 3 ovarian cancer patients and 1 in 5 endometrial cancer patients by 2030 with our research.
About ovarian cancer
Despite advances in care, ovarian cancer is one of the most common female cancers, in developed countries,5 and the eighth most common cause of death by cancer in women globally in 2022.6 Symptoms of ovarian cancer can be vague and hard to detect, so they can often go unnoticed or may be misdiagnosed for another illness until the cancer is advanced.5
Part of the female reproductive system, the ovaries secrete reproductive hormones, the most well-known being oestrogen and progesterone, to drive the reproductive cycle7 and develop physical female characteristics, among others.8 Ovarian cancer happens when abnormal cells in or around the ovary, or fallopian tubes, grow uncontrollably.9 Eventually, they might grow into a tumour and spread to other areas of the body.9 While the exact causes of ovarian cancer are still largely unknown, inherited gene mutations including in the BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, RAD51C, RAD51D, BRIP1 genes, PALB2 and mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 that cause Lynch Syndrome can influence a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer.10-12
Unlike some other cancers, there is still no successful screening method for ovarian cancer, further delaying the ability to diagnose it.9
Early detection occurs in only one in five cases of ovarian cancer13
Approximately 80% of women are diagnosed with advanced disease in the US14
Management plans for ovarian cancer are typically based on the cancer type, stage, and any specific characteristics at diagnosis. Most women will undergo some form of surgery to remove as much of the tumour as possible, and depending on how advanced the disease is, additional care may be required before or after surgery.15
Although care options for ovarian cancer have advanced significantly in recent years, improving survival and giving many women meaningful periods of remission, ovarian cancer recurred in approximately 70% of patients in 2023.16 Because five-year survival is less than 30%, effective early, first-line care options that improve the chances of long-term remission remain critical.17
Recent advances in gene mapping technology have allowed researchers to identify genes that are associated with an increased risk of cancer.10-12 Biomarker testing prior to or at the point of diagnosis is important to improve patient care and enable access to certain targeted therapies.18 In particular, testing for Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD), where cells are unable to perform double-strand DNA repair and BRCA mutations can be used to personalise care options for women with ovarian cancer.18,19
About endometrial cancer
Uterine cancer (also known as endometrial/womb cancer) is often overlooked, even though incidence is rapidly on the rise.20,21 Cases expected to rise to over 670,000 by 2050,21 fuelled by aging populations, increasing rates of obesity and metabolic disorders, and changing reproductive patterns.22,23
Endometrial cancer has dramatically varying outcomes depending on the type and stage of diagnosis:
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Delays may cost lives and could strain healthcare systems and economies. Unlike cervical and ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer has not benefited from widespread public awareness, or coordinated efforts for prevention, diagnosis and care.26 Many national cancer plans do not explicitly address endometrial cancer, and it is often overlooked in major non-communicable disease (NCD) and women’s health strategies.26
Endometrial cancer is a genetically heterogeneous disease, which means the genes and proteins in the cancer cells are not the same in all cases, making the disease difficult to treat.27 Advances in genomic profiling have identified several subtypes of endometrial cancer,26 which has helped us better understand the disease and opportunities for targeted therapies. Key biomarkers for endometrial cancers include mismatch repair deficiency (MMR-D), or proficiency (MMR-P),28 Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) status,29 mutation of the polymerase epsilon (POLE) gene27 or TP53 gene27 and estrogen receptor (ER) status.28 Inherited gene mutations including mismatch repair (MMR) genes like MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS228 which are associated with Lynch syndrome,28 PTEN,27 BRCA1, and BRCA230 can also influence a women’s risk of developing endometrial cancer.
Our R&D approach in gynaecological cancers
As leaders in gynaecological cancer care, we are committed to helping transform cancer outcomes.
We believe that real potential is in the combination of care management options, attacking cancer cells from multiple angles. The breadth and depth of our research allows us to study many of these combinations to achieve a more durable, deeper response and bring potential for more options to more patients with gynaecologic cancers.
We are changing outcomes with solutions to stop cancer in its tracks by hitting smarter and earlier. For example, by finding cancer earlier through screening and diagnostics like ctDNA (circulating tumour DNA), and by managing cancer in earlier lines and through more personalised approaches. And we are harnessing transformational technologies such as big data and AI, computational pathology and digital health to better understand complex cancer biology, identify and select patients for treatment and increase the probability of success in the clinic. It is the combination of all these elements that we believe sets us up for future success.
Partnering to advance care in gynaecological cancers
Advancing care in gynaecological cancers requires more than scientific innovation. It relies on working hand-in-hand with clinicians, patient advocacy groups and policy leaders to raise awareness, support earlier diagnosis and ensure women everywhere have access to the care options they need.
Addressing gaps in ovarian cancer care
We are working with communities and healthcare systems to drive earlier diagnosis and interventions, expand access to genetic and biomarker testing and specialised care, and empower healthcare teams as they support those living with this disease. As a founding member of the Ovarian Cancer Commitment (OCC), in collaboration with European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO) and the European network of Gynaecological Cancer Advocacy Groups (ENGAGe), since 2022 we have been dedicated to improving the survival and care of people living with ovarian cancer, including launching a multilingual Digital Patient Pathway Olivia.
Putting endometrial cancer on the map
In uterine cancer, we are collaborating with global advocacy groups to raise awareness, promote symptom recognition and elevate the disease as a healthcare priority. By supporting education and destigmatising the conversation, we hope to help more people receive timely diagnosis and access to the best possible care.
We have also collaborated with medical societies and patient advocacy groups on the Uterine Cancer Position Paper which shines a spotlight on the burden of uterine cancer and strategies to address barriers to equitable and high-quality care. and high-quality care.
Other Oncology areas of focus
References
1. IARC. Global Cancer Observatory. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/en . Accessed March 2026.
2. IARC. Global Cancer Observatory – Vagina. Available at: https://gco.iarc.who.int/media/globocan/factsheets/cancers/22-vagina-fact-sheet.pdf. Accessed March 2026
3. IARC. Cancer Tomorrow – Incidence. Available at: https://gco.iarc.who.int/tomorrow/en/dataviz/tables?cancers=21&years=2030&sexes=2&mode=cancer&group_populations=1. Accessed March 2026.
4. IARCH. Cancer Tomorrow – Mortality. Available at: https://gco.iarc.who.int/tomorrow/en/dataviz/tables?cancers=21&years=2030&sexes=2&mode=cancer&group_populations=1&types=1. Accessed March 2026.
5. Ali A T, et al. Epidemiology and risk factors for ovarian cancer. Menopause Review. 2023 Jun 14;22(2):93–104.
6. World Health Organisation. IARC. Absolute numbers, Mortality, Females, in 2022. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/en/dataviz/bars?mode=cancer&sexes=2&key=total&group_populations=1&types=1. Accessed March 2026.
7. Cleveland Clinic. Ovaries. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22999-ovaries. Accessed March 2026..
8. Cleveland Clinic. Estrogen. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22353-estrogen. Accessed March 2026.
9. Cleveland Clinic. What is Ovarian Cancer. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4447-ovarian-cancer. Accessed March 2026..
10. Target Ovarian Cancer. Gene Variants. Available at: https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/about-ovarian-cancer/genetic-genomic-testing/hereditary-ovarian-cancer/gene-variants#:~:text=Hereditary%20ovarian%20cancer%20is%20most,linked%20to%20an%20increased%20risk. Accessed March 2026.
11. Švajdler Peter, et al. CHEK2p.I157T Mutation Is Associated with Increased Risk of Adult-Type Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumors. Cancers. 2022 Feb 25;14(5):1208.
12. Ryan N.A.J, et al. Association of Mismatch Repair Mutation With Age at Cancer Onset in Lynch Syndrome. JAMA Oncol. 2017 Aug 3;3(12):1702–1706.
13. American Cancer Society. Ovarian Cancer Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging.html Accessed March 2026.
14. Caruso G. Ovarian Cancer: A Review. JAMA. 2025 Oct 14;334(14):1278-1291.
15. American Cancer Society. Treating Ovarian Cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/ovarian-cancer/treating.html. Accessed March 2026.
16. Bachmann C. New Achievements from Molecular Biology and Treatment Options for Refractory/Relapsed Ovarian Cancer—A Systematic Review. Cancers. 2023 Nov 10;15(22):5356.
17. Colombo N, et al. Impact of Recurrence of Ovarian Cancer on Quality of Life and Outlook for the Future. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2017 May 12;27(6):1134–1140.
18. Ngoi NYL, et al. The role of homologous recombination deficiency testing in ovarian cancer And its clinical implications: do we need it? ESMO Open Cancer Horizons. 2021;6(3):1-12.
19. Pan, Z et al. BRCA mutations in the manifestation and treatment of ovarian cancer. Oncotarget. 2017 May 30;8(57):97657–97670.
20. International Gynecologic Cancer Society. Reducing Disparities in Uterine Cancer: A Global Call to Action. (no date). Available at: https://igcs.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Global-Call-to-Action-Reducing-Disparities-Uterine-Cancer.pdf . Accessed March 2026.
21. World Health Organization. Cancer Tomorrow. 2024. Available at: https://gco.iarc.who.int/tomorrow/en/dataviz/trends?multiple_populations=1&cancers=24 . Accessed March 2026.
22. Crosbie EJ et al. Endometrial cancer. Lancet. 2022;399(10333):1412-1428.
23. Yang L et al. Time trend of global uterine cancer burden: an age-period-cohort analysis from 1990 to 2019 and predictions in a 25-year period. BMC Womens Health. 2023;23:384.
24. Matrai CE et al. Molecular evaluation of low-grade low-stage endometrial cancer with and without recurrence. Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2022;41(3):207-21
25. Cao SY et al. Recurrence and survival of patients with stage III endometrial cancer after radical surgery followed by adjuvant chemo- or chemoradiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer. 2023;23:31.
26. Manzano A, Hofmarcher T. Endometrial Cancer – Improving Care and Driving Policy Change. IHE Report 2024:12. Lund, Sweden: IHE – The Swedish Institute for Health Economics; 2024. Available from: https://ihe.se/app/uploads/2024/09/IHE-REPORT-2024_12_.pdf Accessed March 2026.
27. Dörk T, et al. Genetic Susceptibility to Endometrial Cancer: Risk Factors and Clinical Management. Cancers. 2020 Aug 25;12(9):2407.
28. Kim MK, et al. Clinicopathologic significance of mismatch repair protein expression in endometrioid endometrial cancer. Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2023;62(5):724-728.
29. Yurkovetsky Z, et al. Development of multimarker panel for early detection of endometrial cancer. High diagnostic power of prolactin. Gynecol Oncol. 2007 Jul 19;107(1):58–65.
30. De Jonge MM, et al, Endometrial Cancer Risk in Women With Germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 Mutations: Multicenter Cohort Study. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2021 Mar 12;113(9):1203–1211.
Veeva ID: Z4-79790
Date of preparation: March 2026