Physicians and scientists from Fred Hutch Cancer Center and UW Medicine are testing new treatments for gynecologic cancers and new ways to use current treatments.
Through this work, we are looking for answers to two main questions: How can we do even better at controlling or curing these diseases? How can we make treatments less toxic and easier on patients?
When your care team designs your treatment plan, they will give you the choice to join clinical trials that match your situation. If you decide to join one, you will see the same physicians and nurses as you would for standard therapy. Your care team will talk with you about if you might want to join a particular study and why. This can help you make the decision that is best for you.
Cervical Cancer Clinical Trials
Fred Hutch typically has over 750 active cancer clinical trials enrolling participants.
Clinical trials may allow some patients access to a promising new treatment, and help physicians and researchers learn more about a disease.
Lifesaving Vaccine Research
Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Fred Hutch’s Denise Galloway, PhD, and her research colleagues here and at the University of Washington were integral in finding the link between HPV and cervical cancer and in laying the groundwork for the development of the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is an extremely effective prevention strategy. It stops most of the infection’s cancer-causing strains.
Identifying Risk Factors
Most women with HPV do not get cervical cancer. So, other factors — such as smoking or a weakened immune system — likely have increased risk too. Fred Hutch researchers are examining how lifestyle and behavior work with HPV to drive these cancers so we can reduce risk. We’re also exploring genetic mutations that may aid the development (or prevention) of cervical cancer and how genes and lifestyle factors work together.
Extending the Power of the HPV Vaccine
Our researchers are looking at whether the HPV vaccine may also be used to treat, not just prevent, precancers driven by HPV. Precancers are abnormal cells that might turn into cancer. They are also working to determine the lowest number of effective doses of the vaccine. This could help to lower costs and reduce barriers to widespread vaccination.
Tackling Health Disparities
Cervical cancer’s mortality rate has dropped significantly thanks to prevention and early detection. But these benefits don’t apply to all populations. Our researchers are working to reduce health disparities locally in underserved groups and globally in countries where cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death. Learn more.
Our Cervical Cancer Researchers and Faculty
Our scientists and providers work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cervical cancer as well as other cancers and diseases. The lab research and clinical research they do are essential parts of the scientific process that leads to new treatments and better care. Cervical cancer clinical trials can also be a way for patients to get early access to new leading-edge therapies. Our research teams are running many clinical studies for people with gynecologic cancers.
See below for our researchers and faculty or view our cervical cancer care team providers.
Denise Galloway, PhD
Denise Galloway, PhD
Scientific Director, Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center (PAM IRC), Fred Hutch
Professor, Human Biology Division, Fred Hutch
4 more appointments
Lab Website
James Hughes, PhD
James Hughes, PhD
Professor, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch
Professor, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
2 more appointments
Jim Leng, MD
Christopher Li, MD, PhD
Christopher Li, MD, PhD
Professor, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
Vice President, Faculty Development, Fred Hutch
4 more appointments
Lab Website
Margaret M. Madeleine, MPH, PhD
Margaret M. Madeleine, MPH, PhD
Professor, Epidemiology, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
Member, Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center (PAM IRC)
1 more appointment
Lab Website
Shauna M. McVorran, MD, MHSA
Shauna M. McVorran, MD, MHSA
Assistant Professor, Radiation Oncology Division, Fred Hutch
1 more appointment
Stephen M. Schwartz, PhD, MPH
Stephen M. Schwartz, PhD, MPH
Professor, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
Member, Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center (PAM IRC)
1 more appointment
Parth Shah, PharmD, PhD
Parth Shah, PharmD, PhD
Associate Professor, Cancer Prevention Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutch
Member, Hutchinson Institute for Cancer Outcomes Research (HICOR), Fred Hutch
4 more appointments
Anna Wald, MD, MPH
Anna Wald, MD, MPH
Professor, Infectious Disease Sciences Program, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutch
Member, Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center (PAM IRC)
3 more appointments
