In a significant step towards improving outcomes for endometrial cancer patients, DOMENICA is a new study that addresses a critical gap in current endometrial cancer research by exploring the potential of immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy is rapidly emerging as a promising cancer treatment. Unfortunately, endometrial cancer patients currently lack access to this innovative approach. DOMENICA will provide an opportunity for patients to access this new and promising type of treatment.
Under the leadership of Principal Investigator Assoc Prof Alison Davis in Australia and New Zealand this global initiative plans to enroll up to 15 patients at 3 sites in ANZ, with a total of 128 out of a planned 260 patients already randomised internationally.
DOMENICA is led by ANZGOG in Australia and New Zealand with ARCAGY-GINECO serving as the international sponsor.
Meet the ANZ Principal Investigator:
“DOMENICA is asking an important question about the relative activity of immunotherapy compared to chemotherapy and includes assessment of patient-reported toxicities and quality of life. As chemotherapy has some significant short and long-term toxicities, and as this patient group is often older with co-morbidities, finding a well-tolerated and active treatment that is less toxic than chemotherapy would be a major advance for our patients.”
Assoc Prof Alison Davis, Medical Oncologist (ACT)
What is DOMENICA and why is it needed?
Every year over 4,000 Australian and NZ women are diagnosed with endometrial cancer, emphasising the urgency for more research, funding, and more awareness of this disease.
Over the past two decades, incidence rates of endometrial cancer have nearly doubled in Australia and almost tripled in New Zealand. This trial addresses the urgent need to explore innovative approaches, offering hope to the thousands diagnosed each year. Crucially, DOMENICA stands out as there are currently no ongoing trials determining if immune agent treatment alone could become the new standard of care instead of chemotherapy for MMR deficient patients, with the hope of significantly reducing toxicity for many women.
What is MMR?
Mismatch repair, or ‘MMR’, describes cells that have mutations (changes) in certain genes that are involved in correcting mistakes made when DNA is copied in a cell. MMR deficient cells usually have many DNA mutations, which may lead to cancer. MMR deficiency is most common in colorectal cancer, other types of gastrointestinal cancer, and endometrial cancer, but it may also be found in cancers of the breast, prostate, bladder, and thyroid and in an inherited disorder called Lynch syndrome. Knowing if a tumour is MMR deficient may help plan treatment or predict how well the tumour will respond to treatment. Also called deficient DNA mismatch repair, deficient mismatch repair, dMMR, and MMR deficiency.
ANZGOG's commitment to lifesaving gynaecological cancer research
ANZGOG and WomenCan's shared vision is advancing research, and saving lives. By investigating the potential of immunotherapy through the DOMENICA trial, the results of this study could reshape the treatment of endometrial cancer for thousands of women now and in the future. This research could provide women with lived experiences of endometrial cancer more effective options for their care, ultimately creating a better future for them.
Participating in DOMENICA
We advise that patients discuss their concerns and the best course of action regarding their participation in clinical trials with their oncologist.
Learn more about ANZGOG clinical trials:
