Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer: Society of Gynecologic Oncology and American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline

Loss of hexokinase 1 sensitizes ovarian cancer to high-dose metformin

Background

Hexokinases (HKs) are well-studied enzymes catalyzing the first step of glycolysis. However, non-canonical regulatory roles of HKs are still incompletely understood. Here, we hypothesized that HKs comprise one of the missing links between high-dose metformin and the inhibition of the respiratory chain in cancer.

Methods

We tested the isoenzyme-specific regulatory roles of HKs in ovarian cancer cells by examining the effects of the deletions of HK1 and HK2 in TOV-112D ovarian adenocarcinoma cells. We reverted these effects by re-introducing wild-type HK1 and HK2, and we compared the HK1 revertant with the knock-in of catalytically dead HK1 p.D656A. We subjected these cells to a battery of metabolic and proliferation assays and targeted GC×GC-MS metabolomics.

Results

We found that the HK1 depletion (but not the HK2 depletion) sensitized ovarian cancer cells to high-dose metformin during glucose starvation. We confirmed that this newly uncovered role of HK1 is glycolysis-independent by the introduction of the catalytically dead HK1. The expression of catalytically dead HK1 stimulated similar changes in levels of TCA intermediates, aspartate and cysteine, and in glutamate as were induced by the HK2 deletion. In contrast, HK1 deletion increased the levels of branched amino acids; this effect was completely eliminated by the expression of catalytically dead HK1. Furthermore, HK1 revertants but not HK2 revertants caused a strong increase of NADPH/NADP ratios independently on the presence of glucose or metformin. The HK1 deletion (but not HK2 deletion) suppressed the growth of xenotransplanted ovarian cancer cells and nearly abolished the tumor growth when the mice were fed the glucose-free diet.

Conclusions

We provided the evidence that HK1 is involved in the so far unknown glycolysis-independent HK1–metformin axis and influences metabolism even in glucose-free conditions.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40170-021-00277-2.

Prognostic value of systematic lymphadenectomy in patients with ovarian cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To appraise clinical outcomes of systematic lymphadenectomy in women with ovarian cancer based on stage, control group and type of chemotherapy.

STUDY DESIGN

A literature search was conducted on SCOPUS, PUBMED, COCHRANE, MEDLINE, and WEB OF SCIENCE databases. All comparative studies that assess outcomes of systematic lymphadenectomy in patients with ovarian cancer were eligible. Overall survival was analyzed by pooling log hazard ratio (HR) and standard error of multivariable Cox regression models. MOGGE Meta-analysis Matrix is a novel illustration tool that was used to demonstrate multiple subgroup analyses of included studies.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies were eligible. Systematic lymphadenectomy was associated with better overall survival, that was close to significance, compared to control group (HR 0.93, 95 %CI 0.86-1.00). Among women treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, overall survival improved in women with stage IIB-IV who underwent systematic lymphadenectomy (HR 0.91, 95 %CI 0.84-0.99) and was most significant among patients with stage III to IV (HR 0.85, 95 %CI 0.73-0.99). Systematic lymphadenectomy did not improve survival in women who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR 0.97, 95 %CI 0.73-1.29). Systematic lymphadenectomy was associated with improved progress-free survival compared to control group (HR 0.88, 95 %CI 0.79-0.99).

CONCLUSION

Although data from clinical trials do not support role of systematic lymphadenectomy in advanced ovarian cancer, overall data conveys stage-specific survival benefit. Further clinical trials may be warranted to assess substage survival outcomes in women with advanced stages.

Prolongation of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy before Surgery: Seeking the Optimal Number of Cycles in Serous Ovarian Cancer

AIM

The optimal number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cycles is unclear in epithelial ovarian cancer. Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of the number of NACT cycles before interval debulking surgery on survival.

METHODS

Data of 221 patients with advanced-stage serous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were divided into groups as who received 3 cycles of NACT (group A), 4-5 cycles of NACT (group B), and 6 cycles of NACT (group C).

RESULTS

There were 67 (30%) patients in group A, 70 (32%) in group B, and 84 (38%) in group C. Median overall survival (OS) was 61 (range 43-79) months for group A, 44 (range 36-52) months for group B, and 39 (range 27-50) months for group C. In addition, median disease-free survival (DFS) was 23.1 (range 8.5-32.1) months for group A, 19.2 (range 10.1-28.4) months for group B, and 21.5 (range 16-27) months for group C. Patients receiving >3 NACT cycles had worse OS than patients who received 3 NACT cycles (for group A vs. B, p = 0.018; for group A vs. C, p = 0.049). However, in terms of DFS, patients receiving 3 NACT cycles had no statistically significant difference compared to patients who received >3 NACT cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with advanced-stage serous EOC who received more than 3 cycles of NACT had poor OS. However, there was no statistical difference in terms of DFS. In addition, >3 cycles of NACT did not increase the probability of achieving complete cytoreduction at the time of surgery.

Surgery performed later in the week is associated with inferior survival in advanced ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Complete macroscopic resection without any residual tumour after completion of surgery is a strong prognostic factor in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). It has previously been reported that surgery performed later in the week is associated with failure to achieve complete macroscopic resection. Our objective was to examine if weekday of surgery influences oncologic outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This population-based observational study included 100% of all women diagnosed with advanced-stage invasive epithelial ovarian cancer between 2009-2011 and 2014-2016 in the Stockholm/Gotland County of Sweden. The association between weekday of surgery and survival was analysed with proportional hazards regression yielding hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for predefined confounders.

RESULTS

Out of 1066 identified women, 524 with advanced stage EOC treated with surgery were included in the final analysis. Surgery performed Wednesday to Thursday was associated with an increased hazard of death (HR 1.28, 95% CI 1.04-1.58, p-value 0.02). The trend of the hazard of surgery performed throughout the week from Monday through Thursday was also significant (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The increased mortality associated with surgery that is performed later in the week suggests that surgery for advanced ovarian cancer is best conducted early in the week.

Insights into ovarian cancer care: report from the ANZGOG Ovarian Cancer Webinar Series 2020

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is among the top ten causes of cancer deaths worldwide, and is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies in high income countries, with incidence and death rates expected to rise particularly in Asian countries where ovarian cancer is among the 5 most common cancers. Despite the plethora of randomised clinical trials investigating various systemic treatment options in EOC over the last few decades, both progression-free and overall survival have remained at approximately 16 and 40 months respectively. To date the greatest impact on treatment has been made by the use of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in women with advanced EOC and a BRCA1/2 mutation. Inhibition of PARP, the key enzyme in base excision repair, is based on synthetic lethality whereby alternative DNA repair pathways in tumor cells that are deficient in homologous recombination is blocked, rendering them unviable and leading to cell death. The Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group (ANZGOG) is the national gynecological cancer clinical trials organization for Australia and New Zealand. ANZGOG's purpose is to improve outcomes and quality of life for women with gynecological cancer through cooperative clinical trials and undertaking multidisciplinary research into the causes, prevention and treatments of gynecological cancer. This review summarizes current ovarian cancer research and treatment approaches presented by Australian and New Zealand experts in the field at the 2020 ANZGOG webinar series entitled “Ovarian Cancer systems of Care”.

Primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced stage endometrial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Endometrial cancer uncommonly presents at an advanced stage and little prospective evidence exists to guide the management thereof. We aimed to summarize the evidence about primary cytoreductive surgery in the treatment of advanced stage endometrial cancer.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to September 11, 2020, using search terms representing the themes "endometrial cancer," "advanced stage," and "primary cytoreductive surgery."

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We included full-text, English reports that included ≥10 patients undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced stage endometrial cancer and that reported on the outcomes of primary cytoreductive surgery and survival rates based on the residual disease burden.

METHODS

Two reviewers independently screened the studies and with disagreements between the reviewers resolved by a third reviewer. Data were extracted using a standardized form. The percentage of cases reaching maximal (no gross residual disease) and optimal (<1 cm or <2 cm residual disease) cytoreduction were assessed by summing binomials proportions, and the association with survival was assessed using an inverse variance-weighted meta-analysis of logarithmic hazard ratios.

RESULTS

From 1219 unique records identified, 34 studies were selected for inclusion. Studies consisted of single or multi-institutional cohorts of patients collected over a period of 6 to 24 years and included various mixes of histologies (endometrioid, serous, clear cell, and carcinosarcoma) and disease stages (III or IV). In a meta-analysis of the extent of residual disease after primary cytoreductive surgery, we found that 52.1% of cases reached no gross residual disease status (n=18 studies; 1329 patients) and 75% reached <1 cm residual disease status (n=27 studies; 2343 patients). The proportion of cytoreduction for both thresholds was lower for studies of stage IV vs stage III to IV disease (41.4% vs 69.8% for no gross residual disease; 63.2% vs 82.2% for <1 cm residual disease) but did not vary notably by histology. In a meta-analysis of the reported hazard ratios, submaximal (any gross residual disease vs no gross residual disease) and suboptimal (≥1 cm vs <1 cm) cytoreduction thresholds were associated with worse progression-free survival (submaximal hazard ratio, 2.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-3.21; I²=68%; suboptimal hazard ratio, 2.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.93-3.37; I²=63%) and overall survival rates (submaximal hazard ratio, 2.57; 95% confidence interval, 2.13-3.10; I²=1%; suboptimal hazard ratio, 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 2.20-3.11; I²=15%). Sensitivity analyses limited to high-quality studies demonstrated consistent results.

CONCLUSION

Among cases of advanced stage endometrial cancer undergoing primary cytoreductive surgery, a significant proportion of patients are left with residual disease, which is associated with worse survival outcomes. Further investigations about the roles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and primary cytoreductive surgery in prospective trials is warranted in this population.

Primary treatment of advanced ovarian cancer: how does the 'real world' practice?

Aims: This study evaluated primary treatment modalities in advanced ovarian cancer according to sociodemographic characteristics and characterized chemotherapy regimens used. Methods: This was a retrospective study of newly diagnosed advanced ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer patients at two hospitals from 2011 to 2016. Results: Of 175 women, 41% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 59% received primary cytoreductive surgery. Within the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 23% did not have a surgical consultation prior to initiating treatment. Women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy lived closer to an academic center and more frequently received carboplatin/paclitaxel every 3 weeks. Cytoreductive surgery patients more frequently received intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Conclusion: The authors identified disparities in age, insurance, distance from treatment center and chemotherapy choice in the primary treatment for ovarian cancer.

Improving personalized tumor growth predictions using a Bayesian combination of mechanistic modeling and machine learning

BACKGROUND

In clinical practice, a plethora of medical examinations are conducted to assess the state of a patient's pathology producing a variety of clinical data. However, investigation of these data faces two major challenges. Firstly, we lack the knowledge of the mechanisms involved in regulating these data variables, and secondly, data collection is sparse in time since it relies on patient's clinical presentation. The former limits the predictive accuracy of clinical outcomes for any mechanistic model. The latter restrains any machine learning algorithm to accurately infer the corresponding disease dynamics.

METHODS

Here, we propose a novel method, based on the Bayesian coupling of mathematical modeling and machine learning, aiming at improving individualized predictions by addressing the aforementioned challenges.

RESULTS

We evaluate the proposed method on a synthetic dataset for brain tumor growth and analyze its performance in predicting two relevant clinical outputs. The method results in improved predictions in almost all simulated patients, especially for those with a late clinical presentation (>95% patients show improvements compared to standard mathematical modeling). In addition, we test the methodology in two additional settings dealing with real patient cohorts. In both cases, namely cancer growth in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and ovarian cancer, predictions show excellent agreement with reported clinical outcomes (around 60% reduction of mean squared error).

CONCLUSIONS

We show that the combination of machine learning and mathematical modeling approaches can lead to accurate predictions of clinical outputs in the context of data sparsity and limited knowledge of disease mechanisms.

Ovarian cancer staging: What the surgeon needs to know

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of gynecological cancer death, and most cases are diagnosed at advanced stages due to a nonspecific and insidious clinical presentation. Radiologists play a critical role in the decision of which patients are candidates for primary debulking surgery and who may benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This pictorial review summarizes the dissemination patterns of OC, main imaging findings of metastatic disease, and which findings may alter the treatment plan or predict suboptimal tumor resection.

Dense hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy with cisplatin in patients with stage III serous epithelial ovarian cancer: a retrospective study

Background

To investigate the efficacy and safety of interval debulking surgery (IDS) combined with dense hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with cisplatin in Chinese patients with FIGO stage III serous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Methods

This retrospective single-center study reviewed the demographic and clinical data of 197 patients with primary FIGO stage III serous EOC who were treated with IDS with (n = 121) or without (n = 76, control group) dense HIPEC between January 2012 and April 2017. The co-primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoint was the occurrence of adverse events.

Results

The median PFS was 24 months in the IDS plus dense HIPEC group, whereas it was 19 months in the IDS alone group (hazard ratio [HR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33–0.65, p = 0.000). The median OS in patients treated with IDS plus dense HIPEC (51 months) was significantly longer than that in patients treated with IDS alone (40 months, HR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.35–0.78, p = 0.001). The demographic and preoperative clinical characteristics of these two groups were comparable (p > 0.05). In the IDS alone group, no adverse events were recorded in 42 (55.3%) of the 76 patients, and 14 (18.4%) patients were reported to have grade III/IV adverse events. In the IDS plus dense HIPEC group, no adverse events were recorded in 55 (45.5%) of the 121 patients, and 23 (19.0%) patients were reported to have grade III/IV adverse events. No postoperative deaths occurred within 30 days in either group and neither did severe fatal complications in the IDS plus dense HIPEC group.

Conclusions

IDS plus dense HIPEC with cisplatin in Chinese patients with FIGO stage III serous EOC is associated with improved survival and is reasonably well tolerated by patients.

Evaluation of the management of PARP inhibitor toxicities in ovarian and endometrial cancer within a multi-institution health-system

INTRODUCTION

Poly-adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) have become a cornerstone of therapy in the management ovarian cancer and other cancers. PARPi are associated with significant toxicities and management strategies are primarily founded on clinical trial experience. This study aimed to provide an evaluation of patients receiving PARPi therapy within an academic health-system.

METHODS

A retrospective, observational study of adult patients with gynecologic malignancy was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Health System. Data was collected on patients prescribed a PARPi between December 2014 and October 2019. The primary endpoint was the status of PARPi therapy at the end of the study period. Key secondary endpoints included toxicity management strategies, time to discontinuation due to toxicity, progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Of the 85 patients included, 45 (53%) received olaparib, 24 (28%) niraparib, and 16 (19%) rucaparib. Twenty-nine patients (34%) continued on therapy, 15 (18%) discontinued due to toxicity, and 41 (48%) discontinued due to progression. Fifty-one percent of patients required a dose reduction due to toxicities. The median time to discontinuation due to toxicity was 69 days (9-353). Median PFS was 181 days (9-365) and median OS was 338 days (9-365).

CONCLUSION

PARPi therapy is associated with numerous toxicities that are best managed through a multi-modal approach. Importantly, about half the patients in the current study required a dose reduction. Overall, this observational study outlines the incidence of PARPi toxicities and reviews potential management strategies, further guiding practitioners in an area with limited real-world experience.

MicroRNA characteristics in epithelial ovarian cancer

The purpose of the current study was to clarify differences in microRNA expression according to clinicopathological characteristics, and to investigate if miRNA profiles could predict cytoreductive outcome in patients with FIGO stage IIIC and IV ovarian cancer. Patients enrolled in the Pelvic Mass study between 2004 and 2010, diagnosed and surgically treated for epithelial ovarian cancer, were used for investigation. MicroRNA was profiled from tumour tissue with global microRNA microarray analysis. Differences in miRNA expression profiles were analysed according to histologic subtype, FIGO stage, tumour grade, type I or II tumours and result of primary cytoreductive surgery. One microRNA, miR-130a, which was found to be associated with serous histology and advanced FIGO stage, was also validated using data from external cohorts. Another seven microRNAs (miR-34a, miR-455-3p, miR-595, miR-1301, miR-146-5p, 193a-5p, miR-939) were found to be significantly associated with the clinicopathological characteristics (p ≤ 0.001), in our data, but mere not similarly significant when tested against external cohorts. Further validation in comparable cohorts, with microRNA profiled using newest and similar methods are warranted.

Assessment of Adult Women With Ovarian Masses and Treatment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: ASCO Resource-Stratified Guideline

PURPOSE

To provide expert guidance to clinicians and policymakers in three resource-constrained settings on diagnosis and staging of adult women with ovarian masses and treatment of patients with epithelial ovarian (including fallopian tube and primary peritoneal) cancer.

METHODS

A multidisciplinary, multinational ASCO Expert Panel reviewed existing guidelines, conducted a modified ADAPTE process, and conducted a formal consensus process with additional experts.

RESULTS

Existing sets of guidelines from eight guideline developers were found and reviewed for resource-constrained settings; adapted recommendations from nine guidelines form the evidence base, informing two rounds of formal consensus; and all recommendations received ≥ 75% agreement.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Evaluation of adult symptomatic women in all settings includes symptom assessment, family history, and ultrasound and cancer antigen 125 serum tumor marker levels where feasible. In limited and enhanced settings, additional imaging may be requested. Diagnosis, staging, and/or treatment involves surgery. Presurgical workup of every suspected ovarian cancer requires a metastatic workup. Only trained clinicians with logistical support should perform surgical staging; treatment requires histologic confirmation; surgical goal is staging disease and performing complete cytoreduction to no gross residual disease. In first-line therapy, platinum-based chemotherapy is recommended; in advanced stages, patients may receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, all patients should be evaluated for interval debulking surgery. Targeted therapy is not recommended in basic or limited settings. Specialized interventions are resource-dependent, for example, laparoscopy, fertility-sparing surgery, genetic testing, and targeted therapy. Multidisciplinary cancer care and palliative care should be offered.Additional information can be found at www.asco.org/resource-stratified-guidelines. It is ASCO's view that health care providers and health care system decision makers should be guided by the recommendations for the highest stratum of resources available. The guideline is intended to complement but not replace local guidelines.

Impact of Ki-67 Labeling Index on Prognostic Significance of the Chemotherapy Response Score in Women With Tubo-ovarian Cancer Treated With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

The chemotherapy response score (CRS) proposed by Bohm and colleagues in 2015 has been validated as a reproducible method for determining histopathologic response of tubo-ovarian carcinoma to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and stratifies tumor response into 3 groups: CRS1 is defined as minimal/no response, CRS2 as moderate response, and CRS3 as marked response. Although described as a 3-tiered system, it essentially works as a 2-tiered system (CRS1/CRS2 vs. CRS3) for assessing prognosis. Here, we analyzed the prognostic value of CRS in a large cohort of tubo-ovarian carcinomas at a tertiary care center and evaluated the potential for Ki-67 labeling index on post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy samples to provide additional prognostic information. We included 170 patients with tubo-ovarian carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery. We determined CRS for each case by reviewing slides from the interval debulking surgery resection specimen and calculated progression-free survival and overall survival. For each case with residual disease (CRS1 and CRS2, n=123, 72%), we also performed Ki-67 antibody staining and determined both average and highest Ki-67 labeling index. Consistent with prior studies, patients in our cohort with CRS1 and CRS2 showed significantly shorter progression-free survival and overall survival compared with CRS3. Further, in the subset of cases with CRS1 and CRS2, Ki-67 labeling index was predictive of OS at multiple cutoff points. An average Ki-67 labeling index of 20% (log rank test P-value: 0.0004) or a highest Ki-67 labeling index of 50% (log rank test P-value: 0.0002) could provide a practically useful cutoff. Multivariable cox proportional hazard model showed worse overall survival with both, average Ki-67 >20% (hazard ratios: 2.02, P-value: 0.00422, confidence interval: 1.25-3.28) and highest Ki-67 >50% (hazard ratios: 1.88, P-value: 0.0205, confidence interval: 1.1-3.2). We propose adding Ki-67 labeling index to CRS to provide additional prognostic separation between patients with CRS1 and CRS2.

Timing of surgery in patients with partial response or stable disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The ideal number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cycles prior to interval tumor-reductive surgery (iTRS) for advanced ovarian cancer is poorly defined. We sought to assess survival stratified by number of NACT cycles and residual disease following iTRS in patients with advanced ovarian cancer with partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) following 3-4 cycles of NACT.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients with advanced high-grade ovarian cancer (diagnosed 2/1/2013 to 2/1/2018) who received at least 3 cycles of NACT and iTRS and had a PR or SD. The population was divided into four groups based on the number of NACT cycles prior to iTRS and residual disease status after (CGR [complete gross residual] or incomplete resection [any amount of residual disease]): 1) 3-4 NACT cycles/CGR, 2) 3-4 NACT cycles/incomplete resection, 3) > 4 cycles/CGR, and 4) >4 cycles/incomplete resection. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using a Kaplan-Meier product-limit estimator and modeled using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 265 patients with advanced high-grade ovarian cancer with a median age at diagnosis of 65 years. Most were White (87%), had serous histology (89%), and stage IV disease (57%), with an overall CGR rate of 81%. In a multivariable analysis receipt of >4 NACT cycles was not associated with worse PFS or OS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.02, 95% CI 0.74-1.42; aHR 1.12, 95% CI, 0.73-1.72 respectively) than was receipt of 3-4 cycles. Any amount of residual disease was associated with worse PFS and OS regardless of the number of NACT cycles (aHR 1.56, 95% CI 1.09-2.22; aHR 2.38, 95% CI 1.52-3.72 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Residual disease was associated with worse survival outcomes regardless of the number of NACT cycles in patients with PR or SD after NACT for advanced high-grade ovarian cancer. These data suggest that the ability to achieve CGR should take precedence in decision-making regarding the timing of surgery.

Characteristics and survival of ovarian cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy but not undergoing interval debulking surgery

Objective

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) confers similar outcomes as primary debulking surgery and chemotherapy. Little is known about patients who receive NACT but do not undergo debulking surgery. Our aim was to characterize these patients.

Methods

We prospectively identified patients with newly diagnosed stage III/IV ovarian cancer treated with NACT from 7/1/15–12/1/17. Fisher exact and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used to compare clinical characteristics by surgical status. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival outcomes. Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model were applied to assess the relationship of covariates to outcome, and time-dependent covariates were applied to variables collected after diagnosis.

Results

Of 224 women who received NACT, 162 (72%) underwent IDS and 62 (28%) did not undergo surgery. The non-surgical group was older (p<0.001), had higher Charlson comorbidity index (CCI; p<0.001), lower albumin levels (p=0.007), lower Karnofsky performance scores (p<0.001), and were more likely to have dose reductions in NACT (p<0.001). Reasons for no surgery included poor response to NACT (39%), death (15%), comorbidities (24%), patient preference (16%), and loss to follow-up (6%). The no surgery group had significantly worse overall survival (OS) than the surgery group (hazard ratio=3.34; 95% confidence interval=1.66–6.72; p<0.001), after adjustment for age, CCI, and dose reductions.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of women treated with NACT do not undergo IDS, and these women are older, frailer, and have worse OS. More studies are needed to find optimal therapies to maximize outcomes in this high-risk, elderly population.

Role of Lymphadenectomy During Interval Debulking Surgery Performed After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Objective

The role of lymphadenectomy in interval debulking surgery (IDS) performed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in advanced ovarian cancer remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the clinical significance of lymphadenectomy in IDS.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the data of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent NACT followed by IDS.

Results

In 303 patients receiving NACT-IDS, lymphadenectomy was performed in 127 (41.9%) patients. One hundred and sixty-three (53.8%) patients achieved no gross residual disease (NGRD), and 69 (22.8%) had residual disease < 1 cm, whereas 71 (23.4%) had residual disease ≥ 1cm. No significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was observed between the lymphadenectomy group and the no lymphadenectomy group in patients with NGRD, residual disease < 1 cm, and residual disease ≥ 1 cm, respectively. The proportions of pelvic, para-aortic and distant lymph node recurrence were 7.9% (10/127), 4.7% (6/127) and 5.5% (7/127) in the lymphadenectomy group, compared with 5.7% (10/176, P = 0.448), 4.5% (8/176, P = 0.942) and 5.1% (9/176, P = 0.878), respectively, in no lymphadenectomy group. Multivariate analysis identified residual disease ≥ 1 cm [hazard ratios (HR), 4.094; P = 0.008] and elevated CA125 levels after 3 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 2.883; P = 0.004) were negative predictors for OS.

Conclusion

Lymphadenectomy may have no therapeutic value in patients with advanced ovarian cancer underwent NACT-IDS. Our findings may help to better the therapeutic strategy for advanced ovarian cancer. More clinical trials are warranted to further clarify the real role of lymphadenectomy in IDS.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) as target for the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer: what to know

INTRODUCTION

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are being developed in maintenance and recurrence treatment settings of epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) with BRCA 1-2 gene mutation. PARP inhibitors are the first example of drugs targeting the loss of a gene suppressor: they block base-excision repair in the cancer cells, which have lost homologous recombination due to BRCA-mutation, resulting in loss of DNA repair and cell death, also known as synthetic lethality.

AREAS COVERED

This article provides an overview of PARP inhibitors in OC treatment and also an extensive section on the combined strategies of PARP inhibitors, including approved as well as currently investigated drugs. It also offers a section on the use of predictive biomarkers for PARP inhibitors treatment. Ongoing trials, including novel combinations, are discussed.

EXPERT OPINION

In recent years, there is increasing evidence that PARP inhibitor therapy can have life-long percussion in the treatment of EOC, even if some questions have to be solved yet, such as its use in combination therapy, the possibility to retreat with a PARP inhibitor, and finally how to overcome a resistance mechanism to this therapy. In this way, PARP inhibitors can obtain an important role in making a personalized therapeutic program in the case of first-line, neoadjuvant, platinum-sensitive, and resistant high-grade serous OC treatment.

Nomograms to Predict the Density of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes in Patients With High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Background

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have important roles in predicting tumor therapeutic responses and progression, however, the method of evaluating TILs is complicated. We attempted to explore the association of TILs with clinicopathological characteristics and blood indicators, and to develop nomograms to predict the density of TILs in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC).

Methods

The clinical profiles of 197 consecutive postoperative HGSOC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor tissues and matched normal fallopian tubes were immunostained for CD3+, CD8+, and CD4+ T cells on corresponding tissue microarrays and the numbers of TILs were counted using the NIH ImageJ software. The patients were classified into low- or high-density groups for each marker (CD3, CD4, CD8). The associations of the investigated TILs to clinicopathological characteristics and blood indicators were assessed and the related predictors for densities of TILs were used to develop nomograms; which were then further evaluated using the C-index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and calibration plots.

Results

Menopausal status, estrogen receptor (ER), Ki-67 index, white blood cell (WBC), platelets (PLT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153) had significant association with densities of tumor-infiltrating CD3+, CD8+, or CD4+ T cells. The calibration curves of the CD3+ (C-index = 0.748), CD8+ (C-index = 0.683) and CD4+ TILs nomogram (C-index = 0.759) demonstrated excellent agreement between predictions and actual observations. ROC curves of internal validation indicated good discrimination for the CD8+ TILs nomogram [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.659, 95% CI 0.582–0.736] and encouraging performance for the CD3+ (AUC= 0.708, 95% CI 0.636–0.781) and CD4+ TILs nomogram (AUC = 0.730, 95% CI 0.659–0.801).

Conclusion

Menopausal status, ER, Ki-67 index, WBC, PLT, LDH, and CA153 could reflect the densities of T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Novel nomograms are conducive to monitor the immune status of patients with HGSOC and help doctors to formulate the appropriate treatment strategies.

Stage III disease of ovarian, tubal and peritoneal cancers can be accurately diagnosed with pre-operative CT. Japan Clinical Oncology Group Study JCOG0602

PURPOSE

Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis is a useful imaging modality for identifying origin and extent of ovarian cancer before primary debulking surgery. However, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging for ovarian cancer is determined based on surgico-pathological findings. The purpose of this study is to determine whether computed tomography staging can be the surrogate for surgico-pathological International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging in advanced ovarian cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

Computed tomography staging was compared with surgico-pathological International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging in primary debulking surgery arm patients in a randomized controlled trial comparing primary debulking surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (JCOG0602). The cancer of primary debulking surgery arm was identically diagnosed regarding the origin and extent with the cancer of neoadjuvant chemotherapy arm before accrual, using imaging studies (computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging), cytological examination (ascites, pleural effusion or tumor contents fluid) and tumor marker (CA125 > 200 U/mL and CEA < 20 ng/mL). Institutional computed tomography staging was also compared with computed tomography staging by central review.

RESULTS

Among 149 primary debulking surgery arm patients, 147 patients who underwent primary debulking surgery immediately were analyzed. Positive predictive values and sensitivity of computed tomography staging for surgical stage III disease (extra-pelvic peritoneal disease and/or retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis) were 99%. Meanwhile, positive predictive values for the presence of small (≤2 cm) extra-pelvic peritoneal disease were low; <20% in omentum. Accuracy of institutional computed tomography staging was comparable with computed tomography staging by central review.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative computed tomography staging in each institution can be the surrogate for surgico-pathological diagnosis in stage III disease of ovarian cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy without diagnostic surgery, but reliability of diagnosis of stage IIIB disease is inadequate.Clinical trial registration: UMIN000000523(UMIN-CTR).

Prediction of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Outcomes With Integration of Genomic Data

Some of the patients with epithelial ovarian cancer will not respond to initial therapy. These patients have a poor prognosis. Our aim was to identify patients with a worse prognosis by integrating clinical, pathologic, and genomic data. Using publicly available genomic data and integrating it with clinical data, we significantly improved the prediction of patients with worse surgical outcomes and those who do not respond to initial chemotherapy. We further improved these models with more precise data collection and better understanding of the genetic background of the studied population. Better prediction will lead to better patient classification and opportunities for individualized treatment.

Ovarian Cancer, Version 2.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States and is the country's fifth most common cause of cancer mortality in women. A major challenge in treating ovarian cancer is that most patients have advanced disease at initial diagnosis. These NCCN Guidelines discuss cancers originating in the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum, as these are all managed in a similar manner. Most of the recommendations are based on data from patients with the most common subtypes─high-grade serous and grade 2/3 endometrioid. The NCCN Guidelines also include recommendations specifically for patients with less common ovarian cancers, which in the guidelines include the following: carcinosarcoma, clear cell carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, low-grade serous, grade 1 endometrioid, borderline epithelial, malignant sex cord-stromal, and malignant germ cell tumors. This manuscript focuses on certain aspects of primary treatment, including primary surgery, adjuvant therapy, and maintenance therapy options (including PARP inhibitors) after completion of first-line chemotherapy.

Pretransplant solid organ malignancy and organ transplant candidacy: A consensus expert opinion statement

Patients undergoing evaluation for solid organ transplantation (SOT) often have a history of malignancy. Although the cancer has been treated in these patients, the benefits of transplantation need to be balanced against the risk of tumor recurrence, especially in the setting of immunosuppression. Prior guidelines of when to transplant patients with a prior treated malignancy do not take in to account current staging, disease biology, or advances in cancer treatments. To develop contemporary recommendations, the American Society of Transplantation held a consensus workshop to perform a comprehensive review of current literature regarding cancer therapies, cancer stage-specific prognosis, the kinetics of cancer recurrence, and the limited data on the effects of immunosuppression on cancer-specific outcomes. This document contains prognosis based on contemporary treatment and transplant recommendations for breast, colorectal, anal, urological, gynecological, and nonsmall cell lung cancers. This conference and consensus documents aim to provide recommendations to assist in the evaluation of patients for SOT given a history of a pretransplant malignancy.

The Prognostic Relevance of Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Expression in Ovarian Cancer Tissue of Wild Type and BRCA-Mutation Carrier Patients

(1) Background: The mechanism of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer is not fully clarified, but the properly functioning DNA repair mechanism can counteract the effect of conventional anticancer treatment. The objective of our study was to evaluate the expression of an important DNA repair enzyme, the Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) expression in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissues depending on BRCA status and to assess its relationship with platinum resistance. (2) Methods: Immunostaining to highlight PARP protein expression was performed using a rabbit polyclonal anti-PARP antibody. The intensity and distribution of immunostaining were assessed by light. Somatic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers were identified with bidirectional sequencing of DNA from archived tumor tissue, if the test could not be performed due to technical reasons from tumor cells, the sequencing was done from peripheral blood cells to identify germline mutation carriers. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was generated for each semiquantitative group of PARP expression among chemotherapy-naive cases at the time of PARP immunohistochemistry. (3) Results: In the overall population, negative PARP immunohistochemistry predicted significant PFS (20.1 vs. 11.9 months, p = 0.001) and OS (49 vs. 114 months, p = 0.014) benefit. Genotype-stratified subgroup analysis in BRCA-negative cases confirmed the role of PARP positivity indicating an unfavorable prognosis in the entire population (relapsed 73.91% vs. 92%; OR: 4.06; p = 0.04). In the cases of the subgroup carrying the BRCA mutation, the presence of PARP expression was not associated with less favorable relapse rates, but with marginal significance for overall survival predicted a lower chance of survival (OS more than 32 months 72.73% vs. 35%; OR: 0.2; p = 0.05). (4) Conclusion: The BRCA wild type patients with strong expression of PARP enzymes before the first set of chemotherapy have a poor prognosis.

A Prediction Model for Optimal Primary Debulking Surgery Based on Preoperative Computed Tomography Scans and Clinical Factors in Patients With Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the predictive value of preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans and clinical factors for optimal debulking surgery (ODS) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer (AOC).

METHODS

Patients with AOC in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III-IV who underwent primary debulking surgery (PDS) between 2016 and 2019 from nine tertiary Chinese hospitals were included. Large-volume ascites, diffuse peritoneal thickening, omental cake, retroperitoneal lymph node enlargement (RLNE) below and above the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), and suspected pelvic bowel, abdominal bowel, liver surface, liver parenchyma and portal, spleen, diaphragm and pleural lesions were evaluated on CT. Preoperative factors included age, platelet count, and albumin and CA125 levels.

RESULTS

Overall, 296 patients were included, and 250 (84.5%) underwent ODS. The prediction model included age >60 years (P=0.016; prediction index value, PIV=1), a CA125 level >800 U/ml (P=0.033, PIV=1), abdominal bowel metastasis (P=0.034, PIV=1), spleen metastasis (P<0.001, PIV=2), diaphragmatic metastasis (P=0.014, PIV=2), and an RLNE above the IMA (P<0.001, PIV=2). This model had superior discrimination (AUC=0.788>0.750), and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test indicated its stable calibration (P=0.600>0.050). With the aim of maximizing the accuracy of prediction and minimizing the rate of inappropriate explorations, a total PIV ≥5 achieved the highest accuracy of 85.47% and identified patients who underwent suboptimal PDS with a specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a prediction model based on two preoperative clinical factors and four radiological criteria to predict unsatisfactory debulking surgery in patients with AOC. The accuracy of this prediction model needs to be validated and adjusted in further multicenter prospective studies.

Concordance of laparoscopic and laparotomic peritoneal cancer index using a two-step surgical protocol to select patients for cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was to assess concordance of staging laparoscopy and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) peritoneal cancer index (PCI) when applying a two-step surgical protocol. We also aimed to evaluate the accuracy of diagnostic laparoscopy to triage patients for complete cytoreduction, and to define optimal time between staging laparoscopy and CRS.

METHODS

We designed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy followed by a CRS a few weeks later (two-step surgical protocol), from January 2010 to April 2019. Only patients selected for complete cytoreduction, and with available PCI score from both surgeries were included. PCI concordance was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

RESULTS

During the study period 543 patients underwent a laparoscopic staging for ovarian carcinomatosis. Among them, 43 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. ICC between laparoscopic and laparotomic PCI was 0.54. After applying the linear regression equation: laparoscopic PCI + 0.2 x [days between surgeries] + 2, ICC increased to 0.79. Completeness cytoreduction score and laparoscopic PCI were significantly associated (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.03-1.57, p = 0.03). AUC of laparoscopic PCI to predict complete cytoreduction was 0.90.

CONCLUSION

Concordance between laparoscopic PCI assessment and PCI score at the end of CRS is fair within a two-step surgical management. Laparoscopic assessment underestimates final PCI score by two points, and this difference increases with the delay between both surgeries. Diagnostic laparoscopy can adequately select patients for CRS, and optimal time to perform it is no more than 10 days after laparoscopy.

Updates and New Options in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Treatment

The medical and surgical treatment strategies for women with epithelial ovarian cancer continue to evolve. In the past several years, there has been significant progress backed by landmark clinical trials. Although primary epithelial ovarian cancer is still treated with a combination of surgery and systemic therapy, more complex surgical procedures and novel therapeutics have emerged as standard of care. Cytotoxic chemotherapy and maximal surgical effort remain mainstays, but targeted therapies are becoming more widespread and new data have called into question the role of surgery for women with recurrent disease. Poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors have improved progression-free survival outcomes in both the frontline and recurrent settings, and their use has become increasingly widespread. The recent creation of treatment categories based on genetic changes reinforces the recommendation that all women with epithelial ovarian cancer have germline genetic testing, and new biomarker-driven drug approvals indicate that women may benefit from somatic molecular testing as well. To continue to identify novel strategies, however, enrollment on clinical trials remains of the utmost importance. With the evolving data on surgical approaches, targeted therapies such as antiangiogenics and poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, and the new therapeutic agents and combinations in development, we hope that advanced epithelial ovarian cancer will eventually transition from an almost universally fatal disease to one that can increasingly be cured.

Comparing Laparotomy with Robot-assisted Interval Debulking Surgery for Patients with Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Compare survival of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) undergoing interval debulking surgery (IDS) with either robot-assisted (R-IDS) or open (O-IDS) approach. Second, we assessed the impact of adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cycles as independent variables associated with survival in this patient population.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Single tertiary care center.

PATIENTS

Total of 93 patients diagnosed with advanced EOC who underwent NACT before primary debulking surgery after consultation with a gynecologic oncologist.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients underwent IDS after completion of NACT with either R-IDS or O-IDS between 2011 and 2018 at a single tertiary care center. Exclusion criteria included receiving fewer than 3 or more than 6 cycles of NACT or having concurrent diagnoses of other malignancies during the treatment period.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

A total of 93 patients were identified (n = 43 R-IDS; n = 50 O-IDS). Median age (63.0 vs 66.2 years) did not differ between the 2 groups (p = .1). Of the total patients, 91% were optimally cytoreduced (57% R0 and 34% R1), and R0 rate was not influenced by surgical modality (52% O-IDS vs 63% R-IDS, p = .4). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) did not differ between patients undergoing O-IDS and those undergoing R-IDS (PFS 15.4 vs 16.7 months, p = .7; OS 38.2 vs 35.6 months, p = .7). Cytoreduction to R0 improved both PFS and OS independent of surgical approach. Subgroup analysis showed that, specifically in patients undergoing R-IDS, receiving >6 total cycles of chemotherapy was independently associated with both decreased PFS (hazard ratio 3.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.52-9.73) and OS (hazard ratio 3.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-14.59). When analyzed separately, neither NACT nor adjuvant cycle numbers had any effect on survival.

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective study of patients with advanced EOC undergoing IDS after NACT, the use of robot-assisted surgery did not affect debulking success or oncologic survival indices. Receiving >6 total cycles of chemotherapy before IDS was associated with a decrease in both PFS and OS in patients undergoing R-IDS in this cohort and warrants further investigation.

Treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the third most common gynecologic malignancy worldwide but accounts for the highest mortality rate among these cancers. A stepwise approach to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment is vital to appropriate management of this disease process. An integrated approach with gynecologic oncologists as well as medical oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists is of paramount importance to improving outcomes. Surgical cytoreduction to R0 is the mainstay of treatment, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Genetic testing for gene mutations that affect treatment is the standard of care for all women with epithelial ovarian cancer. Nearly all women will have a recurrence, and the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer continues to be nuanced and requires extensive review of up to date modalities that balance efficacy with the patient's quality of life. Maintenance therapy with poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors, bevacizumab, and/or drugs targeting homologous recombination deficiency is becoming more widely used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, and the advancement of immunotherapy is further revolutionizing treatment targets.

Therapeutic role of curcumin and its novel formulations in gynecological cancers

Gynecological cancers are among the leading causes of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. While the number of cases are rising, current therapeutic approaches are not efficient enough. There are considerable side-effects as well as treatment resistant types. In addition, which all make the treatment complicated for afflicted cases. Therefore, in order to improve efficacy of the treatment process and patients’ quality of life, searching for novel adjuvant treatments is highly warranted. Curcumin, a promising natural compound, is endowed with numerous therapeutic potentials including significant anticancer effects. Recently, various investigations have demonstrated the anticancer effects of curcumin and its novel analogues on gynecological cancers. Moreover, novel formulations of curcumin have resulted in further propitious effects. This review discusses these studies and highlights the possible underlying mechanisms of the observed effects.

Survival outcomes after delayed cytoreduction surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Objective

Interval cytoreduction following neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a well-recognized treatment alternative to primary debulking surgery in the treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer where patient and/or disease factors prevent complete macroscopic disease resection to be achieved. More recently, the strain of the global COVID-19 pandemic on hospital resources has forced many units to alter the timing of interval surgery and extend the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles. In order to support this paradigm shift and provide more accurate counseling during these unprecedented times, we investigated the survival outcomes in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients with the intent of maximal cytoreduction following neoadjuvant chemotherapy with respect to timing of surgery and degree of cytoreduction.

Methods

A retrospective review of all patients aged 18 years and above with FIGO (2014) stage III/IV epithelial ovarian cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the intention of interval cytoreduction surgery between January 2008 and December 2017 was conducted. Overall and progression-free survival outcomes were analyzed and compared with patients who only received chemotherapy. Outcome measures were correlated with the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles and amount of residual disease following surgery.

Results

Six hundred and seventy-one patients (median age 67 (range 20–91) years) were included in the study with 572 patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery and 99 patients with chemotherapy only. There was no difference in the proportion of patients in whom complete cytoreduction was achieved based on number of cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (2–4 cycles: 67.7%, n=337/498); ≥5 cycles: 62.2%, n=46/74). Patients undergoing cytoreduction surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a median 5-year progression-free and overall survival of 24 and 38 months, respectively. No significant difference in overall survival between surgical groups was observed (interval cytoreduction: 41 months vs delayed cytoreduction: 43 months, p=0.52). Those who achieved complete cytoreduction to R0 (no macroscopic disease) had a significant median overall survival advantage compared with those with any macroscopic residual disease (R0: 49–51 months vs R<1: 22–39 months, p<0.001 vs R≥1: 23–26 months, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Survival outcomes do not appear to be worse for patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy if cytoreduction surgery is delayed beyond three cycles. In advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients the imperative to achieve complete surgical cytoreduction remains gold standard, irrespective of surgical timing, for best survival benefit.

Pre-operative neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles and survival in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer: what is the optimal number? A Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Team Ovary study

OBJECTIVE

Although trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ovarian cancer use 3 neoadjuvant cycles, real-world practice varies. We sought to evaluate the influence of increasing pre-operative cycles on survival, accounting for surgical outcomes.

METHODS

We identified 199 women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer recommended for neoadjuvant chemotherapy who underwent interval debulking surgery from July 2015 to December 2018. Non-parametric tests were used to compare clinical characteristics by neoadjuvant cycles. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate differences in progression-free and overall survival. The log-rank test was used to assess the relationship of covariates to outcome.

RESULTS

The median number of neoadjuvant cycles was 4 (range 3-8), with 56 (28%) women receiving ≥5 cycles. Compared with those receiving 3 or 4, women with ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles received fewer or no post-operative cycles (p<0.001) but had no other differences in clinical factors (p>0.05). Complete gross resection rates were similar among those receiving 3, 4, and ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles (68.5%, 70%, and 71.4%, respectively, p=0.96). There were no significant differences in progression-free or overall survival when comparing 3 versus 4 neoadjuvant cycles. However, more cycles (≥5 vs 4) were associated with worse progression-free survival, even after adjustment for BRCA status and complete gross resection (HR 2.20, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.33, p<0.001), and worse overall survival, even after adjustment for histology, response on imaging, and complete gross resection rates (HR 2.78, 95% CI 1.37 to 5.63, p=0.016). The most common reason for receiving ≥5 cycles was extent of disease requiring more neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite maximal cytoreduction, patients receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles have a poorer prognosis than those receiving 3-4 cycles. Future studies should focus on reducing surgical morbidity and optimizing novel therapies in this high-risk group.

Central radiology assessment of the randomized phase III open-label OVHIPEC-1 trial in ovarian cancer

Introduction

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) improved investigator-assessed recurrence-free survival and overall survival in patients with stage III ovarian cancer in the phase III OVHIPEC-1 trial. We analyzed whether an open-label design affected the results of the trial by central blinded assessment of recurrence-free survival, and tested whether HIPEC specifically targets the peritoneal surface by analyzing the site of disease recurrence.

Methods

OVHIPEC-1 was an open-label, multicenter, phase III trial that randomized 245 patients after three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy to interval cytoreduction with or without HIPEC using cisplatin (100 mg/m2). Patients received three additional cycles of chemotherapy after surgery. Computed tomography (CT) scans and serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) measurements were performed during chemotherapy, and during follow-up. Two expert radiologists reviewed all available CT scans. They were blinded for treatment allocation and clinical outcome. Central revision included Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1 measurements and peritoneal cancer index scorings at baseline, during treatment, and during follow-up. Time to centrally-revised recurrence was compared between study arms using Cox proportional hazard models. Subdistribution models compared time to peritoneal recurrence between arms, accounting for competing risks.

Results

CT scans for central revision were available for 231 patients (94%) during neoadjuvant treatment and 212 patients (87%) during follow-up. Centrally-assessed median recurrence-free survival was 9.9 months in the surgery group and 13.2 months in the surgery+HIPEC group (HR for disease recurrence or death 0.72, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.94; p=0.015). The improved recurrence-free survival and overall survival associated with HIPEC were irrespective of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and baseline peritoneal cancer index. Cumulative incidence of peritoneal recurrence was lower after surgery+HIPEC, but there was no difference in extraperitoneal recurrences.

Conclusion

Centrally-assessed recurrence-free survival analysis confirms the benefit of adding HIPEC to interval cytoreductive surgery in patients with stage III ovarian cancer, with fewer peritoneal recurrences. These results rule out radiological bias caused by the open-label nature of the study.

The Prognostic Value of PARP Expression in High-Grade Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

In an attempt to clarify the prognostic relevance of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) expression, we analysed the clinical data of 86 high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cases in which PARP immunohistochemistry results were available. Immunostaining to highlight PARP protein expression was performed using a Leica Bond MAX Immunostainer (Leica Microsystems, Wetzlar, Germany). We applied a rabbit polyclonal anti-PARP antibody (ab6079 330, Abcam, Cambridge, UK) for the specific reaction. The intensity and distribution of immunostaining were assessed by light microscopy (Leica DM2500 microscope, DFC 420 camera, and Leica Application Suite V3 software; Leica) and evaluated with a four-grade (0-3+) system. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was generated for each semiquantitative group of PARP expression among chemotherapy-naive cases at the time of PARP immunohistochemistry. Eighty-six cases were chemotherapy-naive at the time of PARP immunohistochemistry, and 41 cases showed no PARP expression. Forty-five cases showed intermediate or high PARP expression. The median PFS among patients in the PARP-negative group was 16 months (interquartile range; IQR 10.7-35.9 months), and the median PFS of patients in the PARP-positive group was 12 months (IQR 6.1-21.8 months). The difference was significant according to the log-rank test (p = 0.01). The median overall survival (OS) of patients in the PARP-negative group was 65 months (IQR 43.6-110.8 months), and the median OS of patients in the PARP-positive group was 52 months (IQR 36.9-66.7 months). The difference was significant according to the log-rank test (p = 0.028). Multiple comparisons confirmed that PARP expression results in a significant difference in PFS and OS achieved by first-line Taxol-carboplatin chemotherapy. The lack of PARP expression assessed by immunohistochemistry may predict improved PFS in ovarian cancer patients after adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy.

Decision-Making Analysis for Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer: A Survey by the Executive Committee of the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI)

OBJECTIVES

To assess the individual treatment strategies among international experts in peritoneal carcinosis, specifically their decision-making in the process of patient selection for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in women suffering from ovarian cancer, to identify relevant decision-making criteria, and to quantify the level of consensus for or against HIPEC.

METHODS

The members of the executive committee of the Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI) were asked to describe the clinical conditions under which they would recommend HIPEC in patients with ovarian cancer and to describe any disease or patient characteristics relevant to their decision. All answers were then merged and converted into decision trees. The decision trees were then analyzed by applying the objective consensus methodology.

RESULTS

Nine experts in surgical oncology provided information on their multidisciplinary treatment strategy including HIPEC for patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Three of the total of 12 experts did not perform HIPEC. Five criteria relevant to the decision on whether HIPEC is performed were applied. In patients with resectable disease, a peritoneal cancer index (PCI) <21, and epithelial ovarian cancer without distant metastasis, consent was received by 75% to perform HIPEC for women suffering from recurrent disease. Furthermore, in the primary disease setting, consent was received by 67% to perform HIPEC according to the same criteria.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Among surgical oncology experts in peritoneal surface malignancy and HIPEC, HIPEC plays an important role in primary and recurrent ovarian cancer, and the PCI is the most important criterion in this decision.

The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the management of low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary and peritoneum: Further evidence of relative chemoresistance

OBJECTIVE

Low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary/peritoneum (LGSC) is relatively chemoresistant in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and recurrent settings. We sought to expand our prior work and evaluate response rates of women with LGSC to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) compared to women with high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary/peritoneum (HGSC).

METHODS

Thirty-six patients with LGSC who received NACT were matched to patients with HGSC. A single radiologist re-reviewed pre- and post-NACT imaging for response using RECIST 1.1. Pre- and post-NACT CA-125 values were compared using paired t-tests. Kaplan-Meier estimates of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were performed.

RESULTS

All patients received neoadjuvant platinum-based regimens. LGSC patients received a median of 5 cycles (range 3-9), HGSC patients received a median of 4 cycles (range 3-9). Interval cytoreductive surgery was performed in 29/36 (81%) of LGSC and 32/36 (89%) HGSC patients. Complete cytoreduction was reported and achieved in 11/29 (38%) of LGSC patients and 24/32 (75%) of HGSC patients (p = 0.002). Median pre- and post-treatment CA-125 levels for LGSC patients were 295.5 U/mL and 144 U/mL (52% decrease) (p < 0.001). The median pre- and post-treatment CA-125 levels for HGSC patients were 767.5 and 35.6 (96% decrease) (p < 0.001). For LGSC patients, 4/36 (11%) had partial response (PR), 30/36 (83%) had stable disease (SD), and 2/36 (6%) had progressive disease (PD). In HGSC patients, 27/36 (75%) had PR, and 9/36 (25%) SD. Median PFS for LGSC patients was 18.5 months and median OS was 47.4 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides further evidence of relative chemoresistance of LGSC in patients treated with NACT.

Cost-effectiveness analysis comparing "PARP inhibitors-for-all" to the biomarker-directed use of PARP inhibitor maintenance therapy for newly diagnosed advanced stage ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

Clinical trials evaluating universal PARP inhibitor (PARPi) frontline maintenance therapy for advanced stage ovarian cancer have reported progression-free survival (PFS) benefit. It is unclear whether PARPi maintenance therapy will universally enhance value (clinical benefits relative to cost of delivery). We compared a "PARPi-for-all" to a biomarker-directed frontline maintenance therapy approach as a value-based care strategy.

METHODS

The cost of two frontline PARPi maintenance strategies, PARPi-for-all and biomarker-directed maintenance, was compared using modified Markov decision models simulating the study designs of the PRIMA, VELIA, and, PAOLA-1 trials. Outcomes of interest included overall costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) reported in US dollars per quality adjusted progression-free life-year (QA-PFY) gained.

RESULTS

PARPi-for-all was more costly and provided greater PFS benefit than a biomarker-directed strategy for each trial. The mean cost per patient for the PARPi-for-all strategy was $166,269, $286,715, and $366,506 for the PRIMA, VELIA, and PAOLA-1 models, respectively. For the biomarker-directed strategy, the mean cost per patient was $98,188, $167,334, and $260,671 for the PRIMA, VELIA, and PAOLA-1 models. ICERs of PARPi-for-all compared to biomarker-directed maintenance were: $593,250/QA-PFY (PRIMA), $1,512,495/QA-PFY (VELIA), and $3,347,915/QA-PFY (PAOLA-1). At current drug pricing, there is no PFS improvement in a biomarker negative cohort that would make PARPi-for-all cost-effective compared to biomarker-directed maintenance.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the high costs of universal PARPi maintenance treatment, compared with a biomarker-directed PARPi strategy. Maintenance therapy in the front-line setting should be reserved for those with germline or somatic HRD mutations until the cost of therapy is significantly reduced.

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Ovarian Cancer, Version 1.2019

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States, with less than half of patients living >5 years from diagnosis. A major challenge in treating ovarian cancer is that most patients have advanced disease at initial diagnosis. The best outcomes are observed in patients whose primary treatment includes complete resection of all visible disease plus combination platinum-based chemotherapy. Research efforts are focused on primary neoadjuvant treatments that may improve resectability, as well as systemic therapies providing improved long-term survival. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates to neoadjuvant chemotherapy recommendations, including the addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and the role of PARP inhibitors and bevacizumab as maintenance therapy options in select patients who have completed primary chemotherapy.

Nadir CA-125 serum levels during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and no residual tumor at interval debulking surgery predict prognosis in advanced stage ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Recent phase III randomized trials have suggested that neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS) is a treatment option for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. This study aimed to use CA-125 and computed tomography (CT) scanning to generate a simple and clinically applicable model of predicting complete cytoreduction by interval debulking surgery (IDS) and the overall survival in patients who receive taxane/platinum-based chemotherapy as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

METHODS

Patients with stage IIIc or IV epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent taxane/platinum-based NACT followed by IDS in Gunma Prefectural Cancer Center, Takasaki General Medical Center, and Gunma University from April 2009 to March 2015 were included. Patients underwent a CT scan to confirm confirm tumors unresectable by standard surgery before NACT. CA-125 levels were measured pre-NACT, after each cycle of NACT, and before IDS. CT was also performed before IDS to evaluate tumor metastasis. Data were collected retrospectively and analyzed to determine the predictive factors of complete resection and overall survival.

RESULTS

Among 63 patients who received NACT-IDS, 43 and 20 patients had stages IIIc and IV epithelial ovarian cancer at diagnosis, respectively. CT predictors of residual tumors after IDS such as extra-ovarian implants (P = 0.009) and omental cakes (P = 0.038) were not present. Univariate analysis revealed that the independent factors for overall survival were no residual tumor by IDS (P = 0.0016) and CA125 ≤ 20 U/ml before IDS (P = 0.0011).

CONCLUSIONS

Although this study had a small sample size, NACT-IDS used to completely remove macroscopic disease which significantly improved the prognosis of patients with preoperative CA-125 ≤ 20 U/ml. Results from this study provide useful information for future studies on the management of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

Ultra-radical upfront surgery does not improve survival in women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer; a natural experiment in a complete population

OBJECTIVE

Ultra-radical surgery to achieve complete resection in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has been widely accepted without strong supporting data. Our objective was to assess overall survival after a structured shift to an ultra-radical upfront surgical treatment algorithm and to investigate changes in the distribution of primary treatments after this shift.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this population-based cohort study, all women with suspected EOC in the Stockholm-Gotland region of Sweden reported to the Swedish Quality Registry for Gynecologic Cancer (SQRGC) and National Cancer Registry (NCR) were selected in two 3-year cohorts, based on year of diagnosis (before (cohort1) or after (cohort 2) change in surgical treatment algorithm) and followed for at least three years. 5-year overall survival (OS) in non-surgically and surgically treated women was analyzed. Moreover, proportional distribution of primary treatment was evaluated.

RESULTS

752 women were included in the final analysis (n = 364 and 388 in cohort 1 and 2 respectively) with a median follow-up of 29 and 27 months. The complete resection rate increased from 37 to 67% (p ≤ 0.001) as well as proportion non-surgically treated women, 24 to 33%. No improvement in OS was observed in non-surgically (HR 0.76 (95% CI, 0.58-1.01); p = 0.06) or surgically treated (HR 0.94 (95% CI, 0.75-1.18); p = 0.59) women, even when complete resection was achieved (HR 1.31 (95% CI, 0.89-1.92); p = 0.17).

CONCLUSION

A shift to ultra-radical upfront surgery in EOC did not improve survival despite a significant increase in complete resection rate. Identifying the limitations of surgical treatment remains a challenge.

Learning curve for gynecological oncologists in performing upper abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

To assess the learning curve for gynecological oncologists in performing upper abdominal surgery for management of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

METHODS

Patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for stage IIIC and IV EOC that required at least one surgical procedure in the upper abdomen were divided in three numerically equal groups: group 1, 2 and 3 that underwent surgery between December 2012 and July 2014, August 2014 to March 2016 and April 2016 to March 2018 respectively.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-six patients were included. The percentage of patients undergoing primary surgery for group 1, 2 and 3 was 47.6%, 50.0% and 73.8%, respectively (P=0.02). There was significant increase in the percentage of patients undergoing cholecystectomy (P=0.02), resection of disease from porta hepatis (P=0.008), liver capsulectomy (P<0.001), lesser omentectomy (P<0.001) and celiac trunk lymphadenectomy (P<0.001) in the group 3. There was no difference in the percentage of patients undergoing splenectomy, diaphragmatic peritonectomy/resection and gastrectomy. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 54.8%, 35.7% and 64.3% of patients in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively (P=0.028). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of grade 3-5 complications. Presence of a liver surgeon was required in 9.1%, 5.6% and 0% of cases in group 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results reflect the evolution of surgical skills in the upper abdomen through the increase in the percentage of patients undergoing primary surgery, with the surgical team undertaking more complex procedures, less involvement of other specialties and simultaneously achieving higher rates of complete cytoreduction.

National trends in bowel and upper abdominal procedures in ovarian cancer surgery

OBJECTIVES

In the United States, trends in the initial treatment approach for ovarian cancer reflect a shift in paradigm toward the increased use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval cytoreductive surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends in surgical cytoreductive procedures in ovarian cancer patients who underwent either primary or interval cytoreductive surgery.

METHODS

This retrospective, population-based study examined patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2013 identified using SEER-Medicare. Small or large bowel resection, ostomy creation, and upper abdominal procedures were identified using relevant billing codes and compared over time. A 1:1 primary and interval cytoreductive propensity matched cohort was created using demographic and clinical variables. 30-day complications and the use of acute care services were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 5417 women were identified. 34% underwent bowel resections, 16% ostomy creation, and 8% upper abdominal procedures. There was an increase in bowel resections and upper abdominal procedures from 2000 to 2013 in patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery. Compared with patients who received primary cytoreduction, patients who underwent interval cytoreductive surgery were less likely to undergo bowel resection (OR=0.50; 95% CI [0.41, 0.61]) or ostomy creation (OR=0.48; 95% CI [0.42, 0.56]). Upper abdominal procedures did not differ between groups. For patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery, these procedures were associated with intensive care unit stay (4.6% vs <2%, P<0.01). In both primary and interval cytoreductive surgery patients, the receipt of bowel and upper abdominal procedures was associated with multiple 30-day postoperative complications and higher rates of readmission and emergency room visits.

CONCLUSIONS

The performance of upper abdominal procedures in ovarian cancer patients increased from 2000 to 2013. Interval cytoreductive surgery was associated with decreased likelihood of bowel surgery. In matched primary and interval cytoreductive surgery cohorts, the receipt of these procedures were associated with the increased likelihood of postoperative complications and use of acute care services.

Surgery performed later in the week is associated with failure to achieve complete radical surgical resection in advanced ovarian cancer

Background: The surgical treatment of advanced ovarian cancer aims to resect all visible tumor to no gross residual, these procedures are often extensive with need of prolonged attention to detail. Our objective was to investigate the association between week-day of surgery, time of year (season) when surgery was performed and non-radical surgery (surgical failure) in advanced ovarian cancer.Material and methods: Women diagnosed with primary invasive epithelial ovarian cancer in the Stockholm/Gotland Region, Sweden were identified in the regional Swedish Quality Registry of Gynecologic Cancer (SQRGC). Data of all women with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages III and IV were validated against the National Cancer Registry. Women subjected to surgery with curative intent were selected and included in the analysis. Uni- and multivariable regression analyses were performed.Results: Out of 538 women identified in the SQRGC-string ovary between 2014 and 2016, 240 were eligible for analysis. In 29% of women, complete radical resection was not achieved. There was a significant trend of increased non-radical resection when surgery was performed from Monday through Thursday (p = .03). The adjusted odds of non-radical surgery increased if surgery was performed on Thursday rather than Monday (Odds Ratio (OR) 3.04, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.05-8.79, p = .04). Surgery performed during summer compared to the rest of the year, did not significantly increase the adjusted odds of non-radical surgery (OR 1.92, 95% CI 0.91-4.07, p = .09).Conclusion: Complete surgical resection of tumor is one of the strongest prognostic factors for survival in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. For this reason, advanced ovarian cancer surgery should be scheduled early in the week.

Clinical significance of primary debulking surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy-interval debulking surgery in advanced ovarian cancer

Primary debulking surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy remains the standard treatment of patients with stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an alternative treatment regimen that can be considered in selected patients. Complete cytoreduction, both through primary debulking surgery and interval debulking surgery, has a major positive effect on survival and should be the goal, even if this requires extensive surgery. When thorough assessment of tumor spread and performance status of the patient indicates that complete primary cytoreduction is not feasible without unacceptable morbidity, then alternative therapeutic strategies, such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, must be considered. Such patients can be offered the option of interval debulking surgery after checking their response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and resolution of the initial obstacles for primary debulking surgery (i.e. complete response of irresectable disease and improvement of the performance status). Current evidence suggests that a selected group of patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III-IV ovarian cancer will benefit from NAC-IDS. Research is ongoing to identify patients who might derive the greatest benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery, instead of primary debulking surgery, on the basis of radiological, genetic, pathological, and immunological variables. In this review, we discuss current knowledge about the clinical significance of primary debulking surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer and discuss unanswered questions in the field.

Vernonia calvoana Shows Promise towards the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

The treatment for ovarian cancers includes chemotherapies which use drugs such as cisplatin, paclitaxel, carboplatin, platinum, taxanes, or their combination, and other molecular target therapies. However, these current therapies are often accompanied with side effects. Vernonia calvoana (VC) is a valuable edible medicinal plant that is widespread in West Africa. In vitro data in our lab demonstrated that VC crude extract inhibits human ovarian cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting its antitumor activity. From the VC crude extract, we have generated 10 fractions and VC fraction 7 (F7) appears to show the highest antitumor activity towards ovarian cancer cells. However, the mechanisms by which VC F7 exerts its antitumor activity in cancer cells remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that VC F7 inhibits cell proliferation and induces DNA damage and cell cycle arrest in ovarian cells through oxidative stress. To test our hypothesis, we extracted and fractionated VC leaves. The effects of VC F7 were tested in OVCAR-3 cells. Viability was assessed by the means of MTS assay. Cell morphology was analyzed by acridine orange and propidium iodide (AO/PI) dye using a fluorescent microscope. Oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated by the means of lipid peroxidation, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase assays, respectively. The degree of DNA damage was assessed by comet assay. Cell cycle distribution was assessed by flow cytometry. Data generated from the MTS assay demonstrated that VC F7 inhibits the growth of OVCAR-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner, showing a gradual increase in the loss of viability in VC F7-treated cells. Data obtained from the AO/PI dye assessment revealed morphological alterations and exhibited characteristics such as loss of cellular membrane integrity, cell shrinkage, cell membrane damage, organelle breakdown, and detachment from the culture plate. We observed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the levels of malondialdhyde (MDA) production in treated cells compared to the control. A gradual decrease in both catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were observed in the treated cells compared to the control. Data obtained from the comet assay showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the percentages of DNA cleavage and comet tail length. The results of the flow cytometry analysis indicated VC F7 treatment caused cell cycle arrest at the S-phase checkpoint. Taken together, our results demonstrate that VC F7 exerts its anticancer activity by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing DNA damage, and causing cell cycle arrest through oxidative stress in OVAR-3 cells. This finding suggests that VC F7 may be a potential alternative dietary agent for the prevention and/or treatment of ovarian cancer.

Novel Molecular Targets for Tumor-Specific Imaging of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Metastases

In epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the strongest prognostic factor is the completeness of surgery. Intraoperative molecular imaging that targets cell-surface proteins on tumor cells may guide surgeons to detect metastases otherwise not visible to the naked eye. Previously, we identified 29% more metastatic lesions during cytoreductive surgery using OTL-38, a fluorescent tracer targeting folate receptor-α (FRα). Unfortunately, eleven out of thirteen fluorescent lymph nodes were tumor negative. The current study evaluates the suitability of five biomarkers (EGFR, VEGF-A, L1CAM, integrin αvβ6 and EpCAM) as alternative targets for molecular imaging of EOC metastases and included FRα as a reference. Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections of primary ovarian tumors, omental, peritoneal and lymph node metastases from 84 EOC patients. Tumor-negative tissue specimens from these patients were included as controls. EGFR, VEGF-A and L1CAM were highly expressed in tumor-negative tissue, whereas αvβ6 showed heterogeneous expression in metastases. The expression of EpCAM was most comparable to FRα in metastatic lesions and completely absent in the lymph nodes that were false-positively illuminated with OTL-38 in our previous study. Hence, EpCAM seems to be a promising novel target for intraoperative imaging and may contribute to a more reliable detection of true metastatic EOC lesions.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer: The heat is on

Patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer have a high incidence of peritoneal disease recurrence despite maximal efforts to surgically remove all visible tumor plus intravenous chemotherapy. The administration of intraperitoneal chemotherapy that specifically targets the peritoneal surface has been investigated in previous trials, but questions about the design of these studies has prevented this treatment from being widely adopted in clinical practice. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a single intraoperative approach that also targets the peritoneal surface. A randomized phase 3 trial showed significant benefit in recurrence-free and overall survival when HIPEC was added to interval cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in patients who were not eligible for primary surgery because of the extent of their disease (OVHIPEC trial; NCT00426257). The trial showed no important differences in toxicity or patient-reported outcomes between the study groups. The extent of surgery and the number of bowel resections were also similar between the 2 study groups, and the effect of HIPEC was homogeneous across the levels of predefined and post hoc subgroups. Nevertheless, the design and the results of the OVHIPEC trial were critically assessed, and this resembles the reluctance to adopt the positive results of the earlier intraperitoneal chemotherapy studies. This overview discusses the design and results of the OVHIPEC trial. The evidence that is currently available points to a clinically relevant and cost-effective benefit of HIPEC added to interval CRS for patients with stage III ovarian cancer who are not eligible for primary surgery. Ongoing collaborative research will provide further evidence regarding the role of HIPEC in ovarian cancer.