Screening for Lynch syndrome in unselected women with endometrial cancer

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Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is often the sentinel cancer in women with Lynch Syndrome (LS) however it is often not recognized in this population. A prospective cohort study comparing family history, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for mismatch repair (MMR) proteins, and tumour morphology to germline mutation status in MMR genes was performed in unselected women with EC to determine which screening strategy was superior in identifying women with LS. Methods: All women with newly diagnosed EC between July 2010 and June 2011 were asked to participate in the prospective screening protocol for LS which included completing an extended family history questionnaire (eFHQ), tumor assessment for LS-associated morphologic features and IHC as well as germline mutation testing. Results: 119 (n = 182, 65%) consented to the study. The median age was 61 (26-91), 96 (81%) stage I, and 42 (35%) had high risk histology. There were 6 (7.4%, n = 81) women that were germline mutation positive (MLH1 N=3; MSH6 n = 2; MSH2 n =1), representing a mutation positive rate of at least 5% in this cohort (6/119). All 3 MLH1 mutation positive women had low grade histology while mutations in MSH2/6 were exclusively found in women with high risk histology. Two of the six mutation positive women were not identified by family history. Mutation positivity was higher in women under age 50 (23%; 5/22) compared to women > age 50 (1%; 1/97)( (p = 0.0008). LS-morphologic features were found in 58 (59%, n = 98) women. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the LS-associated features in predicting LS mutation status was 100%, 42.6%, 7.9% and 100% compared to IHC which was 100%, 76%, 18% and 100% and eFHQ which was 67%, 84%, 27%, 97%. Conclusions: In this unselected population of women with newly diagnosed EC the germline mutation rate for LS was 2-3 times that has previously been reported. Previously described LS-associated morphologic features were not specific to germline mutation status and family history missed one third of women with LS. IHC was the best strategy to identify women with EC who should undergo germline mutation testing.

Does aggressive primary debulking surgery influence survival in ovarian cancer?

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Background: Evidence comparing outcomes in patients receiving primary debulking surgery (PDS) to those receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for advanced stage ovarian carcinoma is conflicting. We conducted a retrospective survival analysis of all patients with stage IIIC and IV serous ovarian cancer treated at our institute by either PDS or NACT. Methods: Data was extracted from patient synoptic OR reports and medical records between January 2003 and December 2011. Survival comparisons between patients receiving NACT and PDS were made according to aggressiveness of surgery and residual disease following surgery. Aggressive surgery was defined by one of the following procedures; pelvic peritonectomy, any bowel resection, diaphragm resection, diaphragm peritonectomy and splenectomy. Results: Out of 342 patients, 143 (41%) had NACT and 199 (59%) had PDS. Patients undergoing PDS had a median survival (MS) of 58 months compared to 34 months for NACT. Patients undergoing PDS with > 10mm and <10mm residual disease, had a MS of 33 and 55 months, respectively; whereas those with microscopic disease have not yet reached their MS. In the NACT group, MS for < and > 10 mm residual disease was 30 months for both, compared with 39 months for those with microscopic disease. Within the PDS group, those undergoing limited surgery had a MS of 48 months whereas MS has not been reached for those undergoing aggressive surgery. Over 60% of patients undergoing PDS with microscopic residual were alive at 7 years. In the NACT group, there was no difference in survival according to extent of surgery. Conclusions: Patients withPDS, whether debulked to < 10mm or to microscopic disease have a significant and lengthy survival advantage over patients receiving NACT.

Role of internal medicine in a new model of hospital: a proposal of Tuscany’s FADOI

BACKGROUND The Tuscany’s FADOI society proposes the role of internal medicine in a new model of hospital care. The cornerstones of this new model are the “care intensity” and the “department”. We propose that hospital care should be organized so that the patient and his needs represent the core of this care system, in accordance with the idea of the progressive patient care. This aim can be obtained by dividing the hospital’s areas for intensity of care and, therefore, going beyond the present model of hospital care, where the patients are treated in specialty divisions. This new model of care may find its own execution within the department. For medical area, the department of medicine undoubtedly offers a strong multidisciplinary integration and favours the organization for intensity of care. The management of a large amount of patients should be left to the internist. In fact, because of his olistic formation, this clinician seems more appropriate than the other specialists to play this role. The specialists will take care of those patients who suffer from disturbances with a strong specialistic characterization, and in other cases acting as consultants. CONCLUSIONS In Tuscany we can now view various experiences which are trying to experiment this model. Results are encouraging. Starting from these results and greatly believing in them, we offer this contribute to the internists who work in hospital, persuaded to draw from them useful matters for discussion.

Brief family history questionnaire for identification of Lynch syndrome in women with newly diagnosed endometrial cancer

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Background: Endometrial cancer (EC) is often the sentinel cancer for women with Lynch syndrome (LS); however, it is underappreciated in this population. The Brief Family History Questionnaire (bFHQ) was developed to identify women with EC who have family histories suggestive of LS. The objective of our study was to evaluate the bFHQ compared to an extended family history (eFHQ) and medical record in identifying women with EC who may benefit from genetic cancer risk assessment. Methods: All women with newly diagnosed EC from July 2010 to June 2011 were asked to participate in a prospective screening protocol for LS which included completing two family history questionnaires; the bFHQ which is a 4-item self-report measure and the 37-item eFHQ administered by a research assistant. Family history was also extracted from the medical record. Using the bFHQ women were flagged as requiring additional investigation for LS based on predetermined criteria and the predictive ability of the flag was evaluated treating eFHQ as the gold standard. Comparisons were made between the bFHQ, eFHQ and medical record for families meeting Amsterdam II, Society Gynecologic Oncologist (SGO) 20-25% or the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) testing criteria for LS, using generalized estimating equation logistic regression models. Results: 119 (N = 182, 65%) consented to the study and 106 (89%) completed the bFHQ. The median age was 61 (26-91). The number of women who met testing criteria by the eFHQ was 17 (16%) and 33 (31%) were flagged by the bFHQ. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of the bFHQ was 88.2%, 79.8%, 45.5% and 97.3%. There was no significant difference in the number of women who met Amsterdam II or SGO 20-25% testing criteria between the bFHQ, eFHQ and medical record (P > 0.05). The numbers of women meeting MOH criteria using the bFHQ (N=16, 15%) and the eFHQ were similar (N=17, 16%) (P = 0.7); however, more women met MOH criteria using the bFHQ and the eFHQ compared to the medical record (N=8, 7.6%) (P = 0.011; P = 0.006). Conclusions: The patient-administered bFHQ is a highly effective tool in identifying women who meet MOH testing criteria for LS and is a good screening tool to identify women with EC for further genetic assessment.

Abstract SY35-02: Phenotypic heterogeneity and instability of human serous ovarian cancer tumor-initiating cells

Serous ovarian cancer (SOC) is the leading cause of morbidity/mortality from gynecologic malignancy. Current therapies increase survival significantly, yet the vast majority of SOC patients (70-90%) die of their disease. Patients almost always respond to initial courses of standard-of-care (platinum- and taxane-based) chemotherapy. Unfortunately, however, drug resistance almost always develops, resulting in the death of the patient.

Two competing theories have been proposed to account for tumor initiation in SOC (and other malignancies); these theories also have important implications for therapy resistance. In the stochastic model, most, if not all, tumor cells can self-renew indefinitely; consequently, nearly all tumor cells provide a target population for the acquisition of drug resistance mutations. By contrast, the cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis holds that only a subset of tumor cells can initiate and maintain the tumor. Moreover, CSC might be intrinsically more resistant to some/many drugs that are effective against other (“bulk”) tumor cells. These two models differ fundamentally in their view of tumor-initiating cells (TIC). The essential feature of the CSC model is that tumors are organized hierarchically, such that TIC can be prospectively distinguished from non-TIC by phenotype. If the CSC model holds, it should be possible to identify and purify a stable cell population with the unique ability to generate serially transplantable tumors that recreate the heterogeneity of the initial malignancy. By contrast, the stochastic model predicts that TIC distribute into all cell fractions. Many studies of ovarian carcinogenesis and drug response have used immortalized cell lines grown for long periods of time in serum-containing culture. However, the extent to which these cells represent the biology of SOC is unclear. Many SOC lines do not reproduce serous histology when propagated as xenografts in immune-compromised mice; others cannot even give rise to xenografts. Even in culture, few of these lines show evidence of the cytologic and immunologic heterogeneity typically seen in primary tumors. Consequently, these lines might not be adequate for testing new therapies for SOC. Moreover, it is not clear that immortalized cell lines represent valid models for evaluating the CSC model or for studying TIC in SOC. Notably, studies of several other malignancies have shown that TIC as defined using immortalized cell lines do not have the same phenotype as those defined in xenografts using primary patient samples. Improving outcome for SOC patients will require better understanding of SOC pathogenesis and drug resistance, using assay systems that reflect the genetic and cellular diversity of human SOC more faithfully than conventional ovarian cancer cell lines. To this end, we have established a large collection of primary human SOC samples and developed a robust, quantitative assay for SOC tumor-initiating cells (TIC). Using this assay, we find that TICs are rare when assayed in either NOD/SCID or NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ−/− (NSG) mice. TIC frequency varies substantially between patients, although it is similar in primary ovarian masses and omental metastases, suggesting that TIC frequency is an intrinsic property of given ovarian tumor classes. For instance, CD133 marks all TICs from several primary SOC cases. However, in other cases, substantial TIC activity is found in both the CD133+ and CD133− fractions, whereas still other cases have exclusively CD133− TICs. Furthermore, the TIC phenotype can change in xenografts: primary tumors in which all TICs are CD133+ can give rise to xenografts that contain substantial numbers of CD133− TICs. Our results highlight the need for quantitative rigor in the evaluation of TICs and for caution when using passaged xenografts for such studies. Furthermore, although our data suggest that SOC conforms to the CSC hypothesis, the heterogeneity of the TIC phenotype may complicate its clinical application.

To address whether instability in the TIC phenotype may be due to the acquisition of genetic alterations in the CD133- compared to the CD133+ fraction, we analyzed copy number alterations in CD133 positive and negative-derived xenografts. Preliminary analysis suggests that most genetic alterations are common in both fractions; however, in 3/6 cases, additional genetic alterations were observed in the CD133- fraction, suggesting the emergence of CD133- TIC might be, at least in part, genetically driven. The applicability of this observation to additional cases and primary sorted cells (i.e. those that were used to establish the xenografts), as well as the mechanism of genetic instability is currently under investigation. We used expression microarrays to examine differences between CD133+ and CD133- populations. We find that &gt;1000 probes are differentially expressed in these two cell subsets, confirming that they are distinct cell populations. We have identified several putatively targetable pathways and transcription factor networks with altered expression in TIC-enriched fractions. The biological roles of these pathways in HG-SOC, specifically in the TIC compartment, are under investigation.

Finally, we performed high-throughput flow cytometry: involving independent analysis of 365 cell surface markers to identify proteins expressed on all or subsets of HG-SOC cells. We have combined these analyses with mass cytometry (collaboration with Nolan's lab, Stanford University). Mass cytometry allows deep profiling of cell attributes and function using a novel multi-parametric approach combining flow cytometry with mass spectrometry that allows examination of up to 35 cell surface and/or intracellular markers on a single cell. Examination of 40 primary ovarian cancer samples has provided further supportive evidence for inter- and intra-patient heterogeneity in HG-SOC. Current analyses focus on biological validation of identified subpopulations marked by a series of cell surface and putative “stem cell” gene sets.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr SY35-02. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-SY35-02

Family relations and eating disorders. The effectiveness of an integrated approach in the treatment of anorexia and bulimia in teenagers: results of a case-control systemic research

This article presents the results of a broader clinical research into the effectiveness of integrated treatments in teenage eating disorders, carried out at the Complex Operative Unit of Psychotherapy (Unità Operativa Complessa or U.O.C.) of the Department of Psychiatric Sciences and Psychological Medicine in collaboration with the Department of Neuropsychiatric Science for Child Development (Dipartimento di Scienze Neuropsichiatriche dell'Età Evolutiva), both at the "La Sapienza" University of Rome. The hypothesis of this research project is that in diagnosticable situations such as anorexia or bulimia, an integrated and multidisciplinary treatment, which combines medical-nutritional interventions and family psychotherapy, allows better results than a single kind of treatment, which is the usual medical- nutritional intervention supported by psychiatric counselling. Twenty-eight cases (16 of bulimia and 12 of anorexia) were selected and then subdivided, with a randomized distribution, into two (experimental and control) homogeneous groups of 14 patients. The grouping variables were the diagnosis, the disorder's seriousness and duration, BMI, gender, age, family composition and social status. The variables which have been examined in this article are the clinical parameters, which were valuated in accordance with the DSM IV-TR criteria, and relational parameters which were explored through the use of the W.F.T. Test (Wiltwyck Family Tasks). These parameters were tested at beginning as well as at the end of the therapies, in both the experimental group and the control group. Statistical analysis has shown that the experimental group, which was followed with the integrated treatment, experienced a significant improvement of the parameters as related to dysfunctional family interaction modalities, and that this improvement was correlated to the positive evolution of the clinical parameters. This improvement was not present or not of the same degree in the control group. The results, moreover, demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrated systemic treatment based on a complex approach compared to a reductionist approach.

Cancer-associated nummular loss of RPE: expanding the clinical spectrum of bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation

This report describes a case of cancer-associated nummular retinal pigment epithelium loss associated with uterine cancer. The patient had progressive visual loss despite treatment with plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin, and local injection of corticosteroids. Clinical deterioration was corroborated by extension of the areas of retinal pigment epithelium loss, progression of cataracts, and growth of pigmented choroidal and iris lesions. Previously published cases of cancer-associated nummular retinal pigment epithelium loss did not describe the presence of cataracts or uveal melanocytic lesions. This case expands the clinical spectrum of bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation.

Teaching cervical cancer surgery in low- or middle-resource countries

BACKGROUND

With the widespread implementation of screening programs internationally, there will be an increase in early stage cervical cancer cases. In response to this, the Ministry of Health in each country will need to plan strategies to provide care such as radical surgery or radiation for this potentially curable group of women.

METHODS

The Gynaecologic Oncologists of Canada created a teaching module to intensively train a small number of locally identified gynecologists to perform radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The process was based on adult learning principles; it involved a Canadian gynecologic oncologist working in the low- or middle-resource country with the gynecologists and problem-solving local issues in health care delivery.

RESULTS

The teaching process included a pretest and a posttest on the basis of the objectives of the module. There were 7 modules including preoperative evaluation of the patient, cone biopsy, radical hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, ureteric injury, vascular injury, and follow-up after surgery. Each module was divided into background information, techniques, and complications. There were video clips imbedded in the modules. After the educational modules had been reviewed, the learners were walked through the surgical procedures repeatedly including a detailed assessment of performance after each case. Participants had the opportunity to provide feedback on the training program. The module was reviewed in Mongolia and implemented in Kenya.

CONCLUSIONS

In low- and middle-resource countries where there is an urgent need to provide a curative surgical option for the management of early cervical cancer, a focused high-intensity curriculum delivered by a trained surgeon can translate into immediate change in clinical and surgical practice.

[Occupational medicine and communication: which role for print media?]

The diffusion of recent regulations on work safety has captured mass-media's interest on work accidents. The present work aims to highlight the role of print media in building a social representation of work safety, by performing a qualitative analysis of articles published between 2009 and 2010 in three of the main national newspapers. Results showed that print media are accurate in reporting news, but they do not serve as source of education in work safety's issues. Information is mainly focused around catastrophic events, with headlines inducing negative emotions. Very few articles contain a critical discussion of methods and operational proposals tested around the Country. A possible transformation of media's role in promoting work safety is discussed.

Abstract 4303: Definitive identification and characterization of ovarian cancer-initiating cells

Serous ovarian cancer (SOC) typically presents with advanced disease. Current therapy significantly increases survival, yet nearly all patients recur within five years and die of their disease. The cancer-initiating cell (CIC) hypothesis holds that only a subset of cells have the potential to extensively self-renew and give rise to other tumor cells. As their properties may differ from bulk tumor cells, CIC may be spared by available therapies. Identification and characterization of CIC may lead to more effective therapeutic strategies.

Previous reports suggested the presence of ovarian CIC, but these findings require validation in primary human samples. Primary SOC were dissociated and depleted of CD45+ cells. Cell surface (CD133/CD44/CD117/CDCP1/MUC-1/VEGFR2) and functional (ALDH1) markers were examined by flow cytometry (n=105). All markers demonstrated intra-/inter-tumor heterogeneity; however only CD133, VEGFR2 and ALDH marked minority populations in all samples. In contrast to a report that CD44+/CD117+ cells identify ovarian CIC, CD117 was present on only half of SOC samples examined (N=75) and only one quarter had a CD44+/CD117+ population. Limiting dilution analysis of primary SOC injected in the mammary fat pad of NOD/SCID mice (95% take at 106 cells) revealed the CIC frequency in primary tumors (n=13) and metastases (n=6 +5 matched) to be ∼1/40000 (n=13). The CIC frequency was significantly higher (∼1/9000) in primary and recurrent ascites (n=16, p=0.002). Xenografts could be passaged at least 3 times, providing evidence of self-renewal. The CIC frequency remained constant in nearly all xenografts from primary tumors, but increased substantially with passage of recurrences, suggesting greater genetic instability. CD133+ cells from primary tumors (n=2), matched metastases (n=2), ascites (n=6) and passage 1 xenografts (n=6) were enriched for CIC (1/300-1/4000), and all (or the vast majority) of CIC activity resided within the CD133+ fraction. Xenografts from CD133+ cells gave rise to CD133+ and CD133- cells and could be serially passaged at least 1-3x. VEGFR2+ and ALDH1+ cells also were enriched for CIC, to a lower extent than CD133. In contrast, after sorting for CD117/CD44 (n=3), tumors arose from all fractions but CD117+/CD44+ cells. Our data are consistent with a hierarchical model of SOC and indicate that CD133 is a marker for ovarian CIC. Current work is devoted to profiling the CD133+ population and identifying additional markers, using high throughput flow cytometry and a panel of 234 antigens and other methods.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4303.

[Psychopathology, quality of life and social functioning in dialysis treatment and kidney transplantation patients]

OBJECTIVES

Psychiatric evaluation of organ transplant candidates is now routinely proposed also in Italy. This study purposed to assess the psychological status in patients on hemo-dialysis, peritoneal dialysis and renal transplantation; moreover other purpose is to investigate the possible differences among the three groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

157 subjects were consecutively enrolled, to the service of U.O. Trapianti d'Organo of San Salvatore Hospital in L'Aquila (Italy), between October 2007 and August 2009; 127 were in dialysis (80.9%), of which 101 were in hemodialysis (64.3%) (HD group) and 26 in peritoneal dialysis (16.6%) (PD group) and 30 (19.1%) Kidney transplant (PT group). The subjects were examined with clinical evaluation and through the following psychometric instruments: HAM-D, HAM-A, Jalowiec Coping Scale, STAI-Y1, STAI-Y2, DISS, SF-36.

RESULTS

30% out of our sample showed the presence of some psychopathological signs and symptoms, especially depression and anxiety. At HAM-D there were no differences between HD group (6.73; DS + 5.58) and PD group (5.27, DS + 5.63); the mean value at HAM-D in PT group was 4.4 (DS + 3.16) (p < 0.05). At HAM-A there were no differences between three groups. The HD group showed an higher value at STAI-Y1 (38.61; DS + 10.64) than PD (34.95; DS + 6.75) and PT (33.89; DS + 6.14) groups (p < 0.05). The quality of life (physical role, general health, vitality and role emotional) was lower in HD and PD groups, higher in group PT. The HD e PD groups showed a higher level of disability than PT group (p < 0.05). All subjects used "positive: coping styles.

CONCLUSIONS

We consider essential to investigate the issues observed in this study, with the need to integrate psychosocial and functional needs assessment within a course of diagnosis and treatment for people who are undergoing dialysis procedures, or after waiting for a transplantation. Dialysis affects the quality of life, leading to limitations in activities and high level of disability. The PT group showed better quality of life and less impairment in functioning in the investigated areas. If the impact of psychological and/or psychiatric aid remains difficult to appraise, these results emphasize the impact of psychological status and the appropriateness of psychosocial support intervention on patients facing the transplant process or in dialysis treatments.

What is the optimal strategy to confirm the diagnosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC)?

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Background: NAC has been increasingly utilized in clinical practice yet no standard diagnostic strategy has been defined for EOC prior to the administration of NAC. We reviewed the diagnostic process for patients receiving NAC at our centre to determine if an optimal diagnostic strategy could be determined. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients known to receive NAC followed by cytoreductive surgery for presumed EOC between 1994 and 2007 was performed. Diagnostic strategies were defined as histology, cytology, and clinical. Performance of these strategies in predicting final pathology, based on expert pathology review of surgery specimens, was compared using Fisher's exact test. Results: 152 patients were included. Initial diagnosis was made on the basis of: cytology (paracentesis/thoracentesis)- 89 (59%); percutaneous biopsy- 40 (26%), radiology and CA-125–18 (12%), surgical biopsy -5 (3%). The final diagnosis was consistent with invasive EOC in 145 patients (95%). The remaining 7 were ovarian LMP (4), ovarian carcinosarcoma (1), endometrial serous cancer (1), and GI tumor (1). The diagnostic accuracies of the 3 strategies differed: histology (43/45), cytology (87/89), and clinical (15/18), p = 0.039. 17% of patients had an alternate final diagnosis when clinical parameters were the only basis for the diagnosis of EOC prior to NAC. A specific EOC subtype was identified pre-op in 82 patients (histology-31 cases, cytology-51 cases). Subtype differed between pre- and post-treatment samples in 13% of histology and 8% of cytology cases. Conclusions: Diagnosis of EOC based on cytology or histology-based strategies are superior to clinical factors alone. Even in a centre with trained gynecologic cytopathologists, cytology and biopsy strategies preclude accurate subtype diagnosis in a significant number of patients. These data are important for clinical practice and the design of future clinical trials.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

High definition cytogenetics and oligonucleotide aCGH analyses of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells

Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is a key platform to assess cancer genomic profiles. Many structural genomic aberrations cannot be detected by aCGH alone. We have applied molecular cytogenetic analyses including spectral karyotyping, multicolor banding, and fluorescence in situ hybridization with aCGH to comprehensively investigate the genomic aberrations associated with cisplatin resistance in A2780 ovarian cancer cells. A2780 is a well-established model of chemotherapeutic resistance with distinct karyotypic abnormalities in the parental and cisplatin-resistant cells. Cytogenetic analysis revealed that two unbalanced translocations, der(8)t(1;8) and der(X)t(X;1), and loss of chromosome 13 were present only in the resistant line. Our aCGH analyses detected imbalances affecting an additional 10.59% of the genome in the cisplatin-resistant cells compared with the parental. DNA copy number changes included deletions at 1p10-p22.1, 8p23.3, and Xq13.1-pter, and a duplication of 8q11.22-q23. Cryptic genomic aberrations associated with concurrent localized changes of specific gene expression included a homozygous deletion of 0.38 Mb at 1p21.3 adjacent to SNX7, and an insertional transposition of 0.85 Mb from 13q12.12 into chromosome 22. This latter rearrangement led to an overexpression of four contiguous genes that flanked one of the breakpoint regions in chromosome 13. Furthermore, 17 genes showed differential expression correlating with genomic gain or loss between the resistant and parent lines, validated by a second expression array platform. These results highlight the integration of comprehensive profiling to determine relationships of genomic aberrations and genes associated with an in vitro drug resistance model in ovarian cancer. This article contains Supplementary Material available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/1045-2257/suppmat.

Adenomyosis involved by endometrial adenocarcinoma is a significant risk factor for deep myometrial invasion

Adenomyosis is commonly seen in association with endometrial adenocarcinoma where it may or may not be involved by malignancy. This study of grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma investigates whether patients with cancer-positive adenomyosis are at a different risk for deep myometrial invasion compared with those with cancer-negative adenomyosis. Ninety-three hysterectomy specimens with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians) grade 1 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma associated with adenomyosis were studied. Four experienced gynecologic pathologists retrospectively reviewed all hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Myometrial invasion was confirmed by CD10-negative staining around glands with jagged outline surrounded by inflamed desmoplastic stroma. Adenomyosis was involved by adenocarcinoma in 46 cases, whereas it was carcinoma-negative in 47 cases. Myometrial invasion was found in significantly more carcinoma-positive adenomyosis cases (n = 42, 91.3%) than with carcinoma-negative adenomyosis cases (n = 30, 63.8%) (chi(2) = 12.10; P = .0005). Moreover, myometrial invasion in the outer half was also seen in significantly more carcinoma-positive adenomyosis cases (n = 16, 34.8%) than with carcinoma-negative adenomyosis cases (n = 3, 6.4%) (chi(2) = 11.53; P = .0007). Among all cases of FIGO grade 1 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma associated with adenomyosis, the ones that extend in the adenomyosis gain more invasive advantage, probably through increasing the surface area of its interface with the adjacent myometrium. When compared with tumors that do not involve adenomyosis, these tumors are not only more likely to invade the myometrium but are significantly more prone to achieve deep invasion into the outer half.

Adenomyosis is Associated With Myometrial Invasion by FIGO 1 Endometrial Adenocarcinoma

This study investigated the expression of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in a cohort of ovarian serous carcinomas by immunohistochemistry with regard to outcome, clinicopathologic parameters, proliferation as assessed by MIB-1 labeling indices (LIs), and p53 immunoexpression. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissues of 50 ovarian serous carcinomas were immunostained with antibodies to PARP, MIB-1, and p53. In addition, 10 benign serous cystadenomas and 10 typical serous borderline ovarian tumors were included in the PARP immunostudy. Immunostaining for PARP was scored with regard to quantity and intensity of positively stained nuclei as negative, low, or strong. The MIB-1 LIs were quantitated as the percentage of positively stained nuclei in 1000 nuclei. For p53, at least 10% of tumor cells had to display nuclear staining. The expression of PARP was scored negative in all serous cystadenomas and low in serous borderline ovarian tumors. Strong PARP expression was determined in 38 cases (76%), and low expression in 12 cases (12%) of ovarian serous carcinomas; MIB-1 staining was noted in all cases (mean, 44.2; range, 10.8-66.5), positivity for p53 in 39 cases (78%). The PARP immunoreactivity increased with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (P = 0.0075), as well as p53 positivity (P = 0.0141) and MIB-1 LIs (P = 0.0102), with grade determined after Malpica et al. (P = 0.0445) but not with grade assessed after Shimizu et al. (P = 0.1495). A trend for poor outcome was observed in patients whose tumors displayed high levels of PARP immunoexpression (P = 0.0196, log-rank test). This study indicates that PARP expression is frequently upregulated in ovarian serous carcinomas, related with MIB-1 LIs and p53 expression, and may serve as a marker of aggressive behavior with prognostic value.

[Comparative evaluation of the Joel-Cohen cesarean section versus the transrectal incision]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the Joel-Cohen method for cesarean section to the traditional transrectal incision.

METHOD

Fifty-two patients requiring a caesarean section were enrolled in this prospective study. Overall morbidity and post-operative pain was assessed. Four surgeons participated to this study, each included 13 patients. The main judgement criterion was post-operative pain on the first day.

RESULTS

Post-operative pain on the first day was less important (50 vs 23% p=0.04) in Joel-Cohen's. This method was shorter compared to the transrectal incision (33.6+6.4 min vs 51.2+8 min p<0.0001). There was no difference in overall morbidity between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Joel-Cohen's method decrease post-operative pain and is a shorter procedure compared to the transrectal incision.

High-resolution mapping of genomic imbalance and identification of gene expression profiles associated with differential chemotherapy response in serous epithelial ovarian cancer

Array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and microarray expression profiling were used to subclassify DNA and RNA alterations associated with differential response to chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. Two to 4 Mb interval arrays were used to map genomic imbalances in 26 sporadic serous ovarian tumors. Cytobands 1p36, 1q42-44, 6p22.1-p21.2, 7q32.1-q34 9q33.3-q34.3, 11p15.2, 13q12.2-q13.1, 13q21.31, 17q11.2, 17q24.2-q25.3, 18q12.2, and 21q21.2-q21.3 were found to be statistically associated with chemotherapy response, and novel regions of loss at 15q11.2-q15.1 and 17q21.32-q21.33 were identified. Gene expression profiles were obtained from a subset of these tumors and identified a group of genes whose differential expression was significantly associated with drug resistance. Within this group, five genes (GAPD, HMGB2, HSC70, GRP58, and HMGB1), previously shown to form a nuclear complex associated with resistance to DNA conformation-altering chemotherapeutic drugs in in vitro systems, may represent a novel class of genes associated with in vivo drug response in ovarian cancer patients. Although RNA expression change indicated only weak DNA copy number dependence, these data illustrate the value of molecular profiling at both the RNA and DNA levels to identify small genomic regions and gene subsets that could be associated with differential chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer.