New drug cuts death risk 32% in endometrial cancer

The international Phase 3 TroFuse-005 trial enrolled 776 patients at more than 200 centers in 29 countries whose endometrial cancer progressed or recurred after chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Among them, 386 received sacituzumab tirumotecan and 390 standard chemotherapy. The new drug reduced progression risk by 41% and death risk by 32%; objective response, including tumor shrinkage, was 35.1% versus 17.3%. The antibody-drug conjugate binds Trop-2 on tumor cells before delivering its cytotoxic payload. Common adverse events included anemia, neutropenia, oral mucositis and dry or itchy eyes. Results were presented at ESMO 2026 and published in The Lancet. The manufacturer Merck funded the study and several investigators report industry relationships; guideline adoption, long-term safety and subgroup benefit require continued assessment.