Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia, Version 2.2019, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology

Centralized surveillance of hydatidiform mole: 7-year experience from a regional hospital in China

Objective

To assess the strategy and value of centralized surveillance of hydatidiform mole at a regional hospital in China and to investigate the necessity of prophylactic chemotherapy for high-risk complete hydatidiform mole.

Methods

Between February 2013 and February 2020, all women with hydatidiform mole in Dalian Women’s and Children’s Medical Center (Group) were registered for surveillance and treatment when indicated. Women with complete hydatidiform mole were categorized into low-risk and high-risk groups according to the criteria from Song Hongzhao’s trophoblastic neoplasia. Outcomes and treatments were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

In total, 703 women with hydatidiform mole were registered for surveillance with a follow-up rate of 97.9% (688/703). 680 women were enrolled and 52 (7.6%) developed post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, all with low-risk International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) scores 0–5. Post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia was diagnosed in 12.3% (51/413) of patients with complete hydatidiform moles and 0.4% (1/263) of patients were diagnosed with partial hydatidiform moles (χ²=32.415, p<0.001). Post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia was diagnosed in 27.7% (28/101) of the high-risk complete hydatidiform mole group and in 7.4% (23/312) of the low-risk complete hydatidiform mole group (χ²=29.196, p<0.001). No difference in the pre-treatment assessments of patients with post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia was found between the low-risk and high-risk complete hydatidiform mole groups (all p>0.05). All 52 patients with post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia were cured, with a complete response rate of 61.2% (30/49) with first-line single-agent chemotherapy.

Conclusions

A centralized hydatidiform mole surveillance program is feasible and effective and may improve the prognosis of patients with post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Prophylactic chemotherapy is not recommended for women with high-risk complete hydatidiform mole with adequate surveillance.

High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation as an adjuvant surgical salvage procedure in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia chemotherapy with chemoresistance or recurrence: two case reports

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy is the main treatment strategy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Surgical resection is crucial to deal with chemoresistance and recurrence following chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to explore if high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can be used as a complementary technique to surgical procedures in the management of GTN.

CASE REPORT

This case report described two females who previously developed chemoresistance or recurrence during chemotherapy and then underwent HIFU as an adjuvant surgical salvage procedure. For high-risk GTN patients with chemoresistance, HIFU treatment decreased the risk of chemoresistance and shortened the course of chemotherapy. It also reduced the dosage of chemotherapeutic agents used for the patient who suffered a recurrence.

CONCLUSION

For patients with GTN who desire to preserve their uterus, HIFU may be used as a complementary technique to surgical resection in the management of GTN.

Camrelizumab plus apatinib in patients with high-risk chemorefractory or relapsed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (CAP 01): a single-arm, open-label, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

Treatment options for patients with high-risk chemorefractory or relapsed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia are scarce. The synergistic antitumour effect of immunotherapy and antiangiogenic drugs has been shown in many solid tumours. This phase 2 trial evaluated the activity and safety of camrelizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) plus apatinib (VEGF receptor inhibitor) in patients with high-risk chemorefractory or relapsed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

METHODS

This was a single-arm, open-label, phase 2 trial, done at a single tertiary health-care centre in Beijing, China. Women (18-70 years) with high-risk (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics score ≥7) chemorefractory or relapsed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia who had received at least two lines of previously unsuccessful multidrug chemotherapy regimens and had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 were eligible for inclusion. Patients received 4-week cycles of intravenous camrelizumab 200 mg every 2 weeks plus oral apatinib 250 mg once per day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate assessed according to serum human chorionic gonadotrophin concentration. Activity and safety were analysed in all patients who received at least one dose of study drug. The study is ongoing, but recruitment is complete. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04047017.

FINDINGS

Between Aug 7, 2019, and March 18, 2020, 20 patients enrolled; 19 (95%) were diagnosed with choriocarcinoma and one (5%) had placental site trophoblastic tumour. The median follow-up duration was 18·5 months (IQR 14·6-20·9). The objective response rate was 55% (95% CI 32-77); ten (50%; 95% CI 27-73) patients had complete response. The most common grade 3 treatment-related adverse events were hypertension (five [25%] patients), rash (four [20%] patients), neutropenia (two [10%]), leukocytopenia (two [10%]), and aspartate aminotransferase increase (two [10%]). One patient had a treatment-related serious adverse event (aspartate aminotransferase 19-times higher than the upper limit of normal). No grade 4 or 5 treatment-related adverse events were reported.

INTERPRETATION

Camrelizumab plus apatinib showed promising antitumour activity and acceptable toxicity and could be a salvage therapy option for the treatment of high-risk chemorefractory or relapsed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy for heavily-treated patients and upfront use of camrelizumab plus apatinib for patients with high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia are under investigation in phase 2 trials.

FUNDING

National Natural Science Foundation of China, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals.

Evaluation of efficacy and safety of chemotherapy in the treatment of recurrent or resistant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN) is a spectrum of pregnancy-associated tumours emerging from placental tissue. Generally, GTN patients are considered to have a high rate of recovery. However, almost 25 per cent of GTN tumours resist, or have a high probability of relapsing following the first line of chemo treatment. Thus, tumours that resist or relapse requires salvage chemotherapy, sometimes accompanied by surgery. Globally, clinicians utilize a range of salvage regimens. Currently, ongoing debates are centred around choosing the best regimens in terms of safety and efficacy. Therefore, the current research aims to appraise the success and level of safeness using chemotherapy to treat patients with resistant or recurrent GTN.

METHODS

The authors will conduct a methodological exploration in online-based databases to find Randomized Controlled Trials related to the adoption of chemotherapy agents as treatment for resistant or recurrent GTN patients. The databases are as follows: EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Database Central, UpToDate, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, and WanFang Database. The search will be limited to articles published in either English or Chinese. Moreover, the authors will also perform a search for ongoing trials on online-based clinical trial registries. Two independent authors will screen and select articles for review. A similar process will be followed by two independent authors to complete the extraction of data and evaluate the bias risk. In relevant cases, the authors will contract trial investigators to obtain related, unpublished data. The authors will use the random-effects model for pooling data in RevMan software (v5.3).

RESULTS

The present systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and level of safeness associated with using chemotherapy for resistant or recurrent GTN patients.

CONCLUSION

The results of the proposed systematic analysis could summarize the most recent evidence for the use of chemotherapy agents on GTN patients.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Since the proposed study uses pre-published data, an ethical approval is not required.

REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER

Aug 25, 2021.osf.io/rgzbn. (https://osf.io/rgzbn/).

Gut Microbial Diversity in Female Patients With Invasive Mole and Choriocarcinoma and Its Differences Versus Healthy Controls

Objective

To investigate variation in gut microbiome in female patients with invasive mole (IM) and choriocarcinoma (CC) and compare it with healthy controls.

Methods

Fecal microbiome of 12 female patients with IM, 9 female patients with CC, and 24 healthy females were analyzed based on 16s rDNA sequencing. Alpha (α) diversity was evaluated using Shannon diversity index and Pielou evenness index, while beta (β) diversity was assessed using principle coordinate analysis (PCoA) of unweighted Unifrac distances. The potential functional changes of microbiomes were predicted using Tax4Fun. The relative abundance of microbial taxa was compared using Welch’s t test. The role of varied gut microbiota was analyzed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

The α diversity and β diversity were significantly different between IM patients and controls, but not between CC patients and controls. In addition, the abundance of cancer-related genes was significantly increased in IM and CC patients. Notably, a total of 19 families and 39 genera were found to have significant differences in bacterial abundance. ROC analysis indicated that Prevotella_7 may be a potential biomarker among IM, CC, and controls.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the diversity and composition of gut microbiota among IM patients, CC patients, and healthy females were significantly different, which provides rationale for using gut microbiota as diagnostic markers and treatment targets, as well as for further study of gut microbiota in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).

Successful salvage treatment with paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin in a patient with methotrexate-resistant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia who developed hypersensitivity reaction to etoposide

We report a 34-year-old woman with recurrent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) who showed hypersensitivity to etoposide. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 32-mm solid mass in the right lung and a 101-mm cystic mass with solid components in the left side of the liver. The patient's serum human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level was 689 439 mIU/mL. After eight cycles of combined paclitaxel 175 mg/m² on day 1, ifosfamide 1 g/m² on days 2-5, and cisplatin 20 mg/m² on days 2-5 (TIP) every 3 weeks, the serum HCG level decreased to 2.4 mIU/mL. CT scan revealed disappearance of the lung tumor and significant reduction in the solid components of the liver tumor. Then, left hemihepatectomy was performed. After 3 months, there was no evidence of the disease, and the serum HCG level normalized. Thus, TIP chemotherapy, followed by residual mass resection, might be effective for methotrexate-resistant GTN.

Folinic acid rescue during methotrexate treatment for low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia - How much is just right?

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcomes of patients with low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) treated with 8-day methotrexate (MTX) with two different regimens of folinic acid (FA).

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of low-risk GTN followed at Rio de Janeiro Federal University, from January/2000-December/2019 with 8-day MTX with FA at 0.1 mg/kg versus 15 mg fixed dose.

RESULTS

Among 667 patients with low-risk GTN, 323 were treated with FA at 0.1 mg/kg and 142 with FA at 15 mg fixed dose. The weight-based and fixed dose groups were comparable in terms of clinical profile but did differ in the hCG pretreatment level (8883 versus 5127 IU/L, p < 0.01) and FIGO risk score 5/6 (3.4% versus 18.3%, p < 0.01), respectively. Despite this, there was no difference in the remission rate in first-line treatment (76.8 versus 81%, p = 0.33), although FA at 0.1 mg/kg had a significantly higher number of chemotherapy cycles to remission (5 versus 4, p < 0.01), need to delay chemotherapy due to toxicity (6.8 versus 2.8%, p < 0.01) and time to remission, (12 versus 8 weeks, p < 0.01), respectively. A logistic regression analysis showed that the different FA rescue regimens appeared comparable in terms of achieving remission in first-line chemotherapy for low-risk GTN (OR:5.16, CI95%:0.84-31.64, p = 0.08).

CONCLUSION

FA with 15 mg fixed dose as compared to 0.1 mg/kg of FA was associated with similar primary remission rate, relapse or death among low-risk GTN treated with 8-day MTX. This regimen is highly practical, reduces visits to health facilities, appears equally safe and may be preferable with the 8-day MTX regimen in the treatment of low-risk GTN.

Predictors of chemotherapy resistance & relapse in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Background & objectives:

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a chemosensitive malignancy with an excellent cure rate. The primary objective of the present study was to determine the predictors of chemoresistance and disease relapse, and the secondary objective was to appraise the WHO/FIGO risk scoring and course of disease in women with GTN.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, case records of women treated for GTN from January 2011 to June 2019 were reviewed. For the purpose of comparison, sub-stratification of FIGO/WHO low risk group (≤6) into low (0-4) and intermediate (5-6) risk was done. Similarly, WHO high risk (≥7) group was sub-stratified into high (7-12) and ultra-high risk (≥13) groups.

Results:

Case records of 116 patients were included: 51.7 per cent (60/116) were of low risk disease and 48.2 per cent (56/116) were of high risk disease. Chemoresistance developed in 28.4 per cent (33/116) and relapse in 10.3 per cent (12/116) cases. Risk of chemoresistance was higher in low risk (0-6) while risk of relapse was more in high risk (≥7) group. On sub-stratification, chemoresistance was more with intermediate [0-4: 28.5% (10/35), 5-6: 44% (11/25), 7-12: 22.5% (9/40), ≥13: 18.7% (3/16)] and relapse with ultra-high risk score [0-4: 5.7% (2/35), 5-6: 4% (1/25), 7-12:10% (4/40), ≥13: 31.2% (5/16)]. Age, myometrial invasion, serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and tumour size were not related to chemoresistance or relapse.

Interpretation & conclusions:

WHO risk score and presence of metastatic disease predict the probability of developing chemotherapy resistance and disease relapse. Risk of chemotherapy resistance was higher in women with intermediate-risk score (5-6), and risk of relapse was more in those with ultra-high risk score (≥13).

Neurological Emergencies During Pregnancy

This article serves as a comprehensive review of neurologic emergencies in pregnancy. Common initial presentations of neuroemergencies are reviewed with a clinical algorithm. Neurovascular disorders in pregnancy are reviewed, including acute ischemic strokes with data on tPA and thrombectomy; cerebral venous sinus thrombosis diagnosis and management; posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome management; reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome; and intracerebral hemorrhage. Attention is paid to management of cerebral edema and safety of osmotic therapies. A review of seizures in pregnancy is provided, including new-onset causes and decreased seizure thresholds. For status epilepticus, a low teratogenicity risk medication protocol in pregnancy is provided.

High-Risk Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia from a Homozygous NLRP7 Mutation

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NLRP7 germline mutation can result in high risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

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No successful reproductive outcomes have been reported with homozygous NLRP7 mutation.

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Germline testing should be considered for patients presenting with recurrent gestational trophoblastic disease.

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Once an NLRP7 mutation is diagnosed, consultation with reproductive endocrinology is necessary to discuss future fertility.

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Further research is needed in rare cases regarding gestational trophoblastic neoplasia recurrence and reproductive outcomes.

Progress to international harmonisation of care and future developments

Considerable differences exist in the management of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) both nationally and internationally despite numerous efforts to harmonise patient care. This partly reflects differences in healthcare systems and availability of resources. However, even in first world equivalent economies with similar healthcare systems differences remain, which appear to impact survival. Recently, new international guidelines have been established in Europe through a series of consensus meetings. Improvement of outcomes will depend on the establishment of dedicated centres with appropriate patient pathways according to these guidelines. This review will highlight some of the differences and efforts to unify the management of GTD across the globe and discuss areas for future development.

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: Current Evaluation and Management

This review summarizes the current evaluation and management of gestational trophoblastic disease, including evacuation of hydatidiform moles, surveillance after evacuation of hydatidiform mole and the diagnosis and management of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Most women with gestational trophoblastic disease can be successfully managed with preservation of reproductive function. It is important to manage molar pregnancies properly to minimize acute complications and to identify gestational trophoblastic neoplasia promptly. Current International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics guidelines for making the diagnosis and staging of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia allow uniformity for reporting results of treatment. It is important to individualize treatment based on their risk factors, using less toxic therapy for patients with low-risk disease and aggressive multiagent therapy for patients with high-risk disease. Patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia should be managed in consultation with an individual experienced in the complex, multimodality treatment of these patients.

Placental site trophoblastic tumour: five challenges of patient clinical management

Placental site trophoblastic tumour is a rare form of gestational trophoblastic disease accounting for about 1%-2% of all trophoblastic tumours. Diagnosis and management of placental site trophoblastic tumour can be difficult.We report a case of a 30-year-old woman diagnosed with a placental site trophoblastic tumour and identify the challenges in diagnosis and treatment of this rare situation. The presenting sign was abnormal vaginal bleeding that started 3 months after delivery. Image exams revealed an enlarged uterus with a heterogeneous mass, with vesicular pattern, and the increased vascularisation serum human chorionic gonadotropin level was above normal range. The histological diagnosis was achieved through hysteroscopic biopsy. Staging exams revealed pulmonary micronodules. The patient was successfully treated with hysterectomy and chemotherapy. The latest follow-up (37 months after diagnosis) was uneventful, and the patient exhibited no signs of recurrence or metastasis.

Molar pregnancy after in vitro fertilization with euploid single embryo transfer

Objective

To describe a case of molar pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) resulting from the transfer of a euploid embryo derived from a monopronuclear zygote.

Design

Case report and review of the literature.

Setting

Private practice IVF center.

Patients

A 42-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 0, with advanced maternal age and infertility who underwent IVF.

Interventions

Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy using next-generation sequencing, single frozen euploid blastocyst transfer, and medical management of suspected missed abortion.

Main Outcome Measures

Genetic examination of products of conception and correlation with embryonic preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy results.

Results

Transfer of the euploid embryo derived from an abnormally fertilized oocyte (monopronuclear zygote) resulted in a clinical pregnancy suspected to be a missed abortion. Products of conception collected after medical management of the suspected missed abortion were analyzed using next-generation sequencing with the report "46,XX complete molar pregnancy".

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first account of a complete molar pregnancy resulting from the transfer of a reported euploid embryo, highlighting the importance of understanding the limitations of genetic testing platforms in the setting of abnormally fertilized oocyte-derived embryos.

Outcomes of minimally invasive versus open abdominal hysterectomy in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare surgical and oncologic outcomes for women undergoing MIH or open abdominal hysterectomy (OAH) for management of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).

METHODS

Patients who underwent hysterectomy for GTD between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2018 were identified using an institutional database and tumor registry. Patients were stratified based on indication for and mode of hysterectomy.

RESULTS

39 patients underwent hysterectomy for GTD - 22 MIH and 17 OAH. 26 hysterectomies (66.7%) were performed for primary treatment of GTD, 7 (17.9%) for chemoresistance, 2 (5.1%) for uterine hemorrhage, and 4 (10.3%) for other indications. Mean tumor size (4.2 vs 4.6 cm; p = .81) and operative time (136 vs 163 mins; p = .42) were similar in both groups. MIH was associated with significantly less blood loss (71.5 vs 427.3 ml; p = .03) and shorter hospital stay (1.5 vs 3.9 days, p = .02) than OAH. Postoperative histology comprised 12 complete moles (6 invasive), 8 choriocarcinomas, 9 placental site trophoblastic tumors and 9 epithelioid trophoblastic tumors. Median follow-up was 67.2 months (50.2 MIH, 79.3 OAH; range 11.1-131.2) and there was no difference in remission (81.8% MIH vs 76.5% OAH; p = .68). There were 7 recurrences (4 MIH, 3 OAH) and 3 deaths (2 MIH, 1 OAH). Overall survival was 97.3% at 2 years and 88.5% at 5 years. There was no significant difference in 5-year survival by mode of surgery (MIH 90.9%, OAH 83.3%; p = .40).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing MIH at our centers have similar oncologic outcomes, lower surgical blood loss and shorter hospital stay compared to those undergoing OAH. Overall survival is similar regardless of mode of surgery.

Management and prognostic analysis of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) in FIGO stage IV and its special type

GTN is a group malignant diseases from placental trophoblastic cells. There are very few cases of GTN with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV all over the world, and the special types (patients with metastatic lesions and with no evidence of GTN neither in genitalia nor in lungs) have rarely been reported. It is necessary to conduct large retrospective studies aimed at exploring the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of this disease. In this retrospective study, 716 patients with GTN were treated at Zhejiang University School of Medicine Women’s Hospital between January 1999 and September 2019; 26 patients were diagnosed as stage IV GTN; Among the 26 stage IV GTN patients, 5 were defined as the special types. The 5-year OS rate of the total 26 FIGO stage IV GTN patients was 69.0%. There was no significant difference of survival rate between stage IV GTN and its special type. And no significant differences in blood type, antecedent pregnancy type, the interval from last known pregnancy, pretreatment serum HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) level, maximum diameter of tumors, FIGO score, underwent surgery or not and pathological pattern by the outcomes. Age, number of tumor lesions, primary chemotherapy regimen was EMA-CO or EP-EMA protocol and chemoresponse affected the prognosis significantly. Only number of tumor lesions > 8 was independent prognostic factors associated with poorer OS.

Primary colon adenocarcinoma with choriocarcinoma differentiation: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Choriocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy of trophoblastic tissue, typically of gestational etiology. Sporadic, nongestational cases are rarely found outside of the gonads. There are only 31 cases of primary choriocarcinoma of the colon reported in the literature. As a consequence of their rarity and aggressive nature, timely diagnosis and effective treatment have proved challenging, and prognosis is very poor. For that reason, we present a rare case with prolonged survival in the youngest reported patient .

Case presentation

A 26-year-old Caucasian woman presented with abdominal cramping and rectal and vaginal bleeding. Elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin and an 8-cm right-sided mass seen on ultrasound suggested ectopic pregnancy. The patient was treated with methotrexate; however, her symptoms persisted, and her human chorionic gonadotropin levels continued to rise. Further workup showed a large mass of the sigmoid colon with multiple hepatic lesions suggestive of metastases. Preliminary pathology showed adenocarcinoma. Despite surgical resection and initiation of FOLFOX chemotherapy (folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin), the patient had significant clinical deterioration, and her human chorionic gonadotropin increased exponentially. Further pathological review showed two distinct phenotypes: adenocarcinoma merging with choriocarcinoma. The result of evaluation of the metastatic lesions was also positive for choriocarcinoma. Treatment was promptly changed to a choriocarcinoma-targeting chemotherapy regimen of EMA/CO (etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, vincristine), resulting in rapid and dramatic response. The patient had mild progression after 1 year and was switched back to FOLFOX with bevacizumab. After five cycles, scans showed further progression, and the patient was started on third-line therapy with FOLFIRI (folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan) and bevacizumab. Eighteen months after her diagnosis, the patient was alive and maintaining an overall response.

Conclusions

Our patient achieved a marked response and prolonged survival. Although a comprehensive review of the literature showed that survival with these tumors has improved over the past 10 years, prognosis remains poor. Currently, there is no established algorithm for the management of these rare tumors, but both the literature and our patient’s case indicate that a choriocarcinoma-targeted regimen is critical for survival. Further evaluation of these rare tumors is warranted in order to identify pathological patterns that may help in the diagnosis, management, and survival of these malignancies.

Surgery including fertility-sparing treatment of GTD

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) consists of a spectrum of diseases, including hydatidiform moles, invasive mole, metastatic mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumour (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumour (ETT). GTD is a relatively uncommon disease occurring in women of reproductive age, with high cure rates. Primary treatment of hydatidiform moles includes uterine evacuation, followed by close monitoring of serial hCG levels to detect for post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). In patients with GTN, the main therapy consists of chemotherapy, although some surgical procedures are important in selected patients to achieve curing. Hysterectomy is the mainstay treatment for PSTT or ETT and may be considered in selected patients for management of hydatidiform mole and malignant GTN especially in chemoresistant disease. Resection of metastatic lesions such as in the lung or brain can be considered in selected patients with isolated chemoresistant tumour. Surgical treatment of GTD will be discussed in this chapter.

Following chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, do residual lung lesions increase the risk of relapse?

BACKGROUND

There remains uncertainty about the prognostic significance of residual lung lesion on imaging after completion of treatment of low- or high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Here, we determine if such residual lung lesions are associated with an increased risk of relapse.

METHODS

We retrospectively screened our electronic database to identify patients with low- or high-risk GTN and lung metastases between 2004 and 18. Recurrences among patients with or without residual lung lesions on imaging were compared. Chi square analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed. As the numbers of cases were low, we combined this data with our previously published and non-overlapping patient cohort (1995-2004).

RESULTS

Of 1304 GTN patients treated at our centre between 2004 and 18, 99 had lung metastases without other distant sites. There were 40 patients (40.4%) with residual lung lesions. Whilst an increased rate of relapse was observed among patients with residual lung lesions (4/40; 10.0%) compared to without such lesions (3/59; 5.1%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = .35). By combining the data with our previous cohort, there was an increase in relapse rate of patients with residual lung lesions (5/63; 7.9%) compared to those without such lesions (4/112; 3.6%). However, this difference was also not statistically significant (p = .21).

CONCLUSION

Residual lung lesions on imaging after completion of GTN treatment are common. However, this finding did not statistically increase relapse rate. Due to low number of recurrent events, a multi-centre, larger dataset would be needed to provide more definitive evidence.

Factors Predicting Severe Myelosuppression and Its Influence on Fertility in Patients with Low-Risk Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Receiving Single-Agent Methotrexate Chemotherapy

Purpose

To investigate the potential factors to predict severe myelosuppression among low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) patients with single-agent methotrexate (MTX) chemotherapy. To analyze reproductive outcomes of patients with or without severe myelosuppression after achieving complete remission (CR).

Patients and Methods

The retrospective study included 319 low-risk GTN patients registered from January 2008 to December 2018 in our hospital. Patients were divided into two groups according to myelosuppression grading. Their clinical data and reproductive outcomes were compared and analyzed.

Results

A higher proportion of patients in group A received second-line chemotherapy than group B (P<0.001). The number of total chemotherapy courses was more in group A than group B (P=0.001), while the number of MTX chemotherapy courses was more in group B than group A (P=0.001). When the joint predictor of pretreatment albumin (ALB) was not more than 44.5 g/L, pretreatment serum creatinine (Scr) was not less than 75.6 μmol/L, and the number of MTX chemotherapy courses was not less than four, there was a moderate predictive value. There was no significant difference of reproductive outcomes between the two groups after achieving CR.

Conclusion

Although some patients developed severe myelosuppression, MTX was still the effective first-line treatment for low-risk GTN patients. Patient’s pretreatment ALB was not more than 44.5 g/L, pretreatment Scr was not less than 75.6 μmol/L, and the number of MTX chemotherapy courses not less than four could be used as combined predictors to recognize the risk of severe myelosuppression. Severe myelosuppression had no significant adverse influence on fertility after achieving CR.

Enabling Precision Oncology Through Precision Diagnostics

Genomic testing enables clinical management to be tailored to individual cancer patients based on the molecular alterations present within cancer cells. Genomic sequencing results can be applied to detect and classify cancer, predict prognosis, and target therapies. Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized the field of cancer genomics by enabling rapid and cost-effective sequencing of large portions of the genome. With this technology, precision oncology is quickly becoming a realized paradigm for managing the treatment of cancer patients. However, many challenges must be overcome to efficiently implement the transition of next-generation sequencing from research applications to routine clinical practice, including using specimens commonly available in the clinical setting; determining how to process, store, and manage large amounts of sequencing data; determining how to interpret and prioritize molecular findings; and coordinating health professionals from multiple disciplines.

Outcomes in the management of high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in trophoblastic disease centers in South America

Background

South America has a higher incidence of gestational trophoblastic disease than North America or Europe, but whether this impacts chemotherapy outcomes is unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate outcomes among women with high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) treated at trophoblastic disease centers in developing South American countries.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients with high-risk GTN treated in three trophoblastic disease centers in South America (Botucatu and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Buenos Aires, Argentina) from January 1990 to December 2014. Data evaluated included demographics, clinical presentation, FIGO stage, WHO prognostic risk score, and treatment-related information. The primary treatment outcome was complete sustained remission by 18 months following completion of therapy or death.

Results

Among 1264 patients with GTN, 191 (15.1%) patients had high-risk GTN and 147 were eligible for the study. Complete sustained remission was ultimately achieved in 87.1% of cases overall, including 68.4% of ultra high-risk GTN (score ≥12). Early death (within 4 weeks of initiating therapy) was significantly associated with ultra high-risk GTN, occurring in 13.8% of these patients (p=0.003). By Cox’s proportional hazards regression, factors most strongly related to death were non-molar antecedent pregnancy (RR 4.35, 95% CI 1.71 to 11.05), presence of liver, brain, or kidney metastases (RR 4.99, 95% CI 1.96 to 12.71), FIGO stage (RR 3.14, 95% CI 1.52 to 6.53), and an ultra-high-risk prognostic risk score (RR 7.86, 95% CI 2.99 to 20.71). Median follow-up after completion of chemotherapy was 4 years. Among patients followed to that timepoint, the probability of survival was 90% for patients with high-risk GTN (score 7–11) and 60% for patients with ultra-high-risk GTN (score ≥12).

Conclusion

Trophoblastic disease centers in developing South American countries have achieved high remission rates in high-risk GTN, but early deaths remain an important problem, particularly in ultra-high-risk GTN.

Forskolin promotes vasculogenic mimicry and invasion via Notch‑1‑activated epithelial‑to‑mesenchymal transition in syncytiolization of trophoblast cells in choriocarcinoma

Choriocarcinoma (CC) is characterized by earlier blood metastasis compared with other female genital tumors and a high incidence of massive hemorrhage. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is highly associated with metastasis, and syncytiotrophoblast is involved in the formation of VM in CC. Forskolin is a typical activator of the cAMP pathway, which is involved in the syncytiolization of trophoblastic cells. In the present study, to determine the effects and mechanism of forskolin on cell invasion and VM during syncytiolization in vitro and in vivo, JEG-3 and JAR cell lines were treated with 100 µM forskolin for 48 h, and wound healing and invasion assays were used to verify cell migratory and invasive capacities. A 3D culture and tube formation assays were established to detect VM. Variation of morphology and markers of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were assessed, and the role of the Notch signaling pathway was investigated in CC cells treated with forskolin. The results of the present study demonstrated that 100 µM forskolin induced syncytiolization of trophoblastic cells and enhanced the migratory and invasive abilities of JEG-3 and JAR cell lines. In addition, the capacity of VM was significantly increased, whereas tube formation ability was decreased by forskolin in vitro and in vivo compared with the respective control groups. The cellular morphology exhibited EMT during the syncytiolization process, which was further supported by the changes in EMT marker expression, including downregulation of E-cadherin and cytokeratin and upregulation of N-cadherin, vimentin and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1. The Notch-1 signaling pathway was activated to induce EMT in forskolin-induced VM process in CC cells, and VM and EMT could be reversed by using the γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT to block the Notch-1 pathway. Overall, the results of the present study demonstrated that forskolin enhanced the capacity of VM formation and metastasis through Notch-1-activated EMT in the syncytiolization of trophoblastic cells.

Effectiveness and toxicity of second-line actinomycin D in patients with methotrexate-resistant postmolar low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate both the outcomes and toxicity of second-line actinomycin D (ActD) chemotherapy in methotrexate (MTX) - resistant low-risk postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) with 5-day ActD versus pulsed ActD.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients with MTX-resistant low-risk postmolar GTN from 1974 to 2016. Second-line chemotherapy consisted of 5-day ActD (10-12 μg/kg per day for 5 days every 14 days) or biweekly ActD (1.25 mg/m² every 2 weeks). Data on patient characteristics, disease presentation, treatment outcome, and toxicity were collected.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight MTX-resistant patients receiving ActD as second-line chemotherapy were identified (5-day ActD, 53 patients; pulsed ActD, 15 patients). No significant differences were observed in patient/disease characteristics and sustained remission (overall rate 72%) between second-line ActD regimens. Time to hCG remission was significantly faster (median 21 vs 47 days, p = .04) and required fewer treatment cycles (median 1 vs 2, p < .001) with 5-day ActD. Thrombocytopenia was only observed with 5-day ActD (64.6 vs 0%, p < .001). The frequency (60.4 vs 16.7%, p = .009) and severity (grade 3: 37.9 vs 0%, p = .045) of oral mucositis was significantly higher with 5-day ActD. Grade 2 alopecia was significantly more frequent (70.6 vs 16.7%, p = .02) with 5-day ActD.

CONCLUSIONS

While 5-day ActD and pulsed ActD achieve comparable remission rates, due to its reduced toxicity, ease of administration, and patient convenience, pulsed ActD should be the treatment of choice for MTX-resistant postmolar low-risk GTN.