A healthy lifestyle and survival among women with ovarian cancer

Are exercise and sitting time during chemotherapy for ovarian cancer associated with treatment-related side-effects, chemotherapy completion and survival?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if exercise and sitting time during chemotherapy were associated with chemotherapy side-effects, completion of planned chemotherapy and survival.

METHODS

We used data from the Ovarian cancer Prognosis And Lifestyle (OPAL) Study, a national prospective cohort of adults with newly-diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer. At 3-monthly questionnaires we asked about exercise and sitting time in the past week, and treatment-related side-effects. Details about treatment, toxicities, progression and death were abstracted from medical records. We used linear, logistic and Cox regression, respectively, to assess associations between both exercise and sitting time, and chemotherapy side-effects and completion (≥85% relative dose intensity) and survival.

RESULTS

503 eligible participants were included in one or more analyses. Patients participating in higher-intensity exercise (≥30 min of moderate-vigorous exercise/week; 24%) reported significantly better Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness/Cancer Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue (32.2 vs. 26.7) and FACT-Trial Outcome Index (69.4 vs. 61.7) scores, and were less likely to have clinician-reported moderate-severe neurotoxicity (odds ratio [OR]:0.50; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]:0.29-0.88), than minimal exercisers (<30 min moderate-vigorous exercise/week & <120 min walking/week; 52%). Participating in higher-intensity exercise was also possibly associated with greater chemotherapy completion (OR:1.70; 95%CI:0.90-3.20), particularly for paclitaxel. Sitting time was not associated with chemotherapy completion. For patients with advanced disease who underwent cytoreduction and received first-line carboplatin and paclitaxel, there was a suggestion higher-intensity exercise during chemotherapy may improve survival (HR:0.68; 95%CI:0.47-1.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ovarian cancer who carry out moderate-vigorous exercise during chemotherapy have fewer side-effects and potentially better completion of planned chemotherapy and overall survival.

Pre-diagnosis tea and coffee consumption and survival after a diagnosis of ovarian cancer: results from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium

BACKGROUND

Tea and coffee are the most frequently consumed beverages in the world. Green tea in particular contains compounds with potential anti-cancer effects, but its association with survival after ovarian cancer is uncertain.

METHODS

We investigated the associations between tea and coffee consumption before diagnosis and survival using data from 10 studies in the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium. Data on tea (green, black, herbal), coffee and caffeine intake were available for up to 5724 women. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Compared with women who did not drink any green tea, consumption of one or more cups/day was associated with better overall survival (aHR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.71-1.00, p-trend = 0.04). A similar association was seen for ovarian cancer-specific survival in five studies with this information (aHR = 0.81, 0.66-0.99, p-trend = 0.045). There was no consistent variation between subgroups defined by clinical or lifestyle characteristics and adjustment for other aspects of lifestyle did not appreciably alter the estimates. We found no evidence of an association between coffee, black or herbal tea, or caffeine intake and survival.

CONCLUSION

The observed association with green tea consumption before diagnosis raises the possibility that consumption after diagnosis might improve patient outcomes.

Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer by BRCA Status: A Collaborative Case-Only Analysis

BACKGROUND

Women with an inherited pathogenic variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have a greatly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer, but the importance of behavioral factors is less clear. We used a case-only design to compare the magnitude of associations with established reproductive, hormonal, and lifestyle risk factors between BRCA mutation carriers and noncarriers.

METHODS

We pooled data from five studies from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium including 637 BRCA carriers and 4,289 noncarriers. Covariate-adjusted generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate interaction risk ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), with BRCA (carrier vs. noncarrier) as the response variable.

RESULTS

IRRs were above 1.0 for known protective factors including ever being pregnant (IRR = 1.29, 95% CI; 1.00-1.67) and ever using the oral contraceptive pill (1.30, 95% CI; 1.07-1.60), suggesting the protective effects of these factors may be reduced in carriers compared with noncarriers. Conversely, the IRRs for risk factors including endometriosis and menopausal hormone therapy were below 1.0, suggesting weaker positive associations among BRCA carriers. In contrast, associations with lifestyle factors including smoking, physical inactivity, body mass index, and aspirin use did not appear to differ by BRCA status.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that associations with hormonal and reproductive factors are generally weaker for those with a pathogenic BRCA variant than those without, while associations with modifiable lifestyle factors are similar for carriers and noncarriers.

IMPACT

Advice to maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, and refrain from smoking will therefore benefit BRCA carriers as well as noncarriers.

Survivorship research in advanced gynecological cancer: A scoping review of cohort studies

BACKGROUND

Recent calls to action highlight the need to address gaps in our understanding of survivorship for those living with advanced gynecological cancer to support optimal care. To ensure future research fills these knowledge gaps, we need to understand the breadth of existing survivorship research in this patient group, including the outcomes assessed, the populations included and the duration and retention in follow-up.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic scoping review searching PubMed, PsychINFO, and CINAHL during the month of November 2022 to identify prospective cohort studies measuring survivorship outcomes among participants with advanced (stage III-IV) gynecological cancer, or in cohorts in which ≥50% of participants had advanced cancer, or which provide results separately for patients with advanced cancer. Articles were screened, and data extracted using a standard form.

RESULTS

We assessed 33 articles from 21 unique studies, which overall included 6023 participants with gynecological cancer. Of these, 45% had cervical cancer, 44% ovarian, 10% endometrial/uterine, and 1% vaginal/vulvar cancer. The most frequently measured survivorship outcome was quality of life. Of the 33 articles, most reported on participant age (n = 31), but relatively few reported on comorbidities (n = 10), physical status (n = 6), ethnic background (n = 4), the country of birth (n = 2), or the area of participant residence (n = 2). None included details on indigenous status. Recruitment proportions ranged from 48% to 100%. Retention proportions ranged from 15% to 97%.

CONCLUSION

Our findings highlight gaps in survivorship research for advanced gynecological cancers and emphasize the need for future studies to include and describe the experiences of diverse and underrepresented groups.

Association of protein intake with recurrence and survival following primary treatment of ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition is common during treatment for ovarian cancer and one in three report multiple symptoms affecting food intake after primary treatment. Little is known about diet post-treatment in relation to ovarian cancer survival, however, general recommendations for cancer survivors are to maintain a higher level of protein intake to support recovery and minimize nutritional deficits.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether intake of protein and protein food sources following primary treatment for ovarian cancer is associated with recurrence and survival.

DESIGN

Intake levels of protein and protein food groups were calculated from dietary data collected about 12 months post-diagnosis using a validated food frequency questionnaire in an Australian cohort of females with invasive epithelial ovarian cancer. Disease recurrence and survival status were abstracted from medical records (median 4.9 years follow-up). Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for protein intake and progression-free and overall survival.

RESULTS

Among 591 females who were progression-free at 12-months follow-up, 329 (56%) subsequently experienced cancer recurrence and 231 (39%) died. A higher level of protein intake was associated with better progression-free survival (>1-1.5 vs. ≤1 grams per kilogram body weight (g/kg): HR_adjusted=0.69, 95% CI 0.48, 1.00; >1.5 vs. ≤1g/kg: HR_adjusted=0.61, 95% CI 0.41, 0.90; >20% vs. ≤20% total energy intake from protein: HR_adjusted=0.77, 95% CI 0.61, 0.96). There was no evidence for better progression-free survival with any particular protein food sources. There was a suggestion of better overall survival among those with higher total intakes of animal-based protein foods, particularly dairy products (HR=0.71, 95% CI 0.51, 0.99 for highest vs. lowest tertiles of total dairy intake).

CONCLUSIONS

After primary treatment for ovarian cancer, a higher level of protein intake may benefit progression-free survival. Ovarian cancer survivors should avoid dietary practices that limit intake of protein-rich foods.

Lifestyle intervention in ovarian cancer enhanced survival (LIVES) study (NRG/GOG0225): Recruitment, retention and baseline characteristics of a randomized trial of diet and physical activity in ovarian cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

The Lifestyle Intervention for oVarian cancer Enhanced Survival (LIVES) is a national study of a combined diet and physical activity intervention for stage II-IV ovarian cancer survival, an under-represented cancer in lifestyle behavioral intervention research. Here, we present the data on recruitment, retention, and baseline demographic, clinical and lifestyle behavior characteristics of the LIVES study participants.

METHODS

The LIVES study (NRG Oncology/GOG 0225) is a Phase III diet plus physical activity intervention trial testing the hypothesis that ovarian cancer survivors in the lifestyle intervention will demonstrate better progression-free survival than those in the control condition. Study interventions were delivered via centralized telephone-based health coaching. Baseline descriptive statistics were computed for demographic, clinical, and lifestyle behavior characteristics.

RESULTS

The LIVES study exceeded its recruitment goals, enrolling 1205 ovarian cancer survivors from 195 NRG/NCORP-affiliated oncology practices across 49 states from 2012 to 2018. The mean age of enrollees was 59.6 years; the majority (69.4%) with stage III disease; 89% White, 5.5% Hispanic; 64% overweight/obese. Baseline self-reported diet showed a mean daily intake of 6.6 servings of fruit and vegetables, 62.7 fat grams, and 21.7 g of fiber. Physical activity averaged 13.0 MET-hours/week of moderate to vigorous physical activity; 50.9 h/week of sedentary time. Retention rates exceeded 88%.

CONCLUSION

The LIVES study demonstrates efficiency in recruiting and retaining ovarian cancer survivors in a 24-month study of diet and physical activity intervention with a primary endpoint of progression free survival that will be reported.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.govNCT00719303.

CircSETDB1 contributes to paclitaxel resistance of ovarian cancer cells by sponging miR-508-3p and regulating ABCC1 expression

Ovarian cancer is a gynecological tumor with a poor prognosis. The chemotherapy failure and recurrence induced by paclitaxel (Ptx) resistance are the main reason for the failure of ovarian cancer treatment. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of circular RNA (circRNA) in the regulation of Ptx resistance in ovarian cancer. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR was performed to detect the expression of circRNA SET domain bifurcated histone lysine methyltransferase 1 (circSETDB1), microRNA (miR)-508-3p and ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 1 ( ABCC1 ) mRNA. The effects of circSETDB1 on Ptx resistance were explored by cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, and flow cytometry experiments in vitro . The protein level was assessed by western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays were carried out to confirm the interactions among circSETDB1, miR-508-3p, and ABCC1 . Xenograft tumor experiment was performed to investigate the effect of circSETDB1 on Ptx resistance in vivo . CircSETDB1 was highly expressed in Ptx-resistant ovarian cancer. CircSETDB1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation viability, half maximal inhibitory concentration value of Ptx, cell cycle progression, and induced cell apoptosis in Ptx-resistant ovarian cancer cells. miR-508-3p was a target of circSETDB1, and inhibition of miR-508-3p overturned the effects of circSETDB1 knockdown on the Ptx resistance of ovarian cancer cells. miR-508-5p could bind to ABCC1 . Overexpression of ABCC1 reversed the effects of circSETDB1 knockdown on the Ptx resistance of ovarian cancer cells. CircSETDB1 knockdown also enhanced Ptx sensitivity in vivo . In conclusion, circSETDB1 regulated Ptx resistance of ovarian cancer by targeting miR-508-3p/ ABCC1 axis.

The clinical impact of continued smoking in patients with breast and other hormone-dependent cancer: A systematic literature review

We conducted a systematic review of studies that investigated whether quitting smoking at or around diagnosis improves survival of patients with hormone-dependent cancers (HDC). Nine studies published in 2013-2022 were included. Studies were very diverse in terms of design, definition of quitters and continued smokers, and prevalence of prognostic factors other than smoking cessation (e.g. patients' demographics, tumour characteristic, and treatments). For breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer, all included studies found that quitters had better overall, disease specific, and disease-free survival than continued smokers. For prostate cancer, there was no evidence of an association of smoking cessation with improved survival. This literature review provided suggestive evidence that female smokers diagnosed with cancer of the breast, ovary, or endometrium may improve their chances of surviving by stopping smoking. Smoking cessation counselling should become part of standard oncological care for these patients and integrated into breast cancer screening programs.

Treating Smoking in Cancer Patients: An Essential Component of Cancer Care-The New National Cancer Institute Tobacco Control Monograph

PURPOSE

Continued smoking after the diagnosis of cancer can markedly worsen oncology treatment side effects, cancer outcomes, cancer mortality, and all-cause mortality. Conversely, mounting evidence demonstrates that smoking cessation by patients with cancer improves outcomes. A cancer diagnosis often serves as a teachable moment, characterized by high motivation to quit. However, too few patients with cancer who smoke are offered evidence-based smoking cessation treatment, and too few engage in such treatment.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The National Cancer Institute commissioned Tobacco Control Monograph 23, Treating Smoking in Cancer Patients: An Essential Component of Cancer Care, to review and synthesize the evidence that clarifies the need to intervene with smoking in cancer care.

RESULTS

Although many patients with newly diagnosed cancer who smoke make quit attempts, many of these are unsuccessful, and among those who successfully quit, relapse is common. Indeed, an estimated 12.2% of adults ever diagnosed with cancer reported they currently smoked (National Health Interview Survey, 2020). Patients with cancer who smoke are likely to benefit from smoking cessation treatments, including counseling and US Food and Drug Administration-approved medications, and there are many effective strategies to increase delivery of smoking cessation treatment in cancer care settings.

CONCLUSION

Smoking cessation is among the most effective treatment options for improving the likelihood of survival, quality of life, and overall health of patients with cancer who smoke. It is important for cancer care clinicians and patients to realize that it is never too late to quit smoking and that there are clear benefits to doing so, regardless of cancer type.

Impact of Lifestyle Interventions on Gynecologic Cancers: Beyond Diet and Exercise

A Lifestyle Medicine approach to compliment cancer care is less commonly researched or implemented for women with gynecologic cancers as compared to better funded malignancies such as breast, prostate, and colorectal. Yet, several gynecologic malignancies are linked to obesity, estrogen/metabolic signaling pathways, and altered tumor microenvironment which could benefit greatly from a lifestyle medicine program. Lifestyle medicine, an evidenced-based branch of science, has expanded to the prevention and treatment of disorders caused by lifestyle factors (including cancer). Modifiable lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity/nutrient density, microbial dysbiosis, sleep disturbance, and chronic stressors contribute greatly to cancer morbidity and mortality worldwide. This overarching area of research is evolving with some subtopics in their infancy requiring further investigation. Modern tools have allowed for better understanding of mechanisms by which adiposity and inactivity affect tumor promoting signaling pathways as well as the local tumor environment. Through the evolving use of these sophisticated techniques, novel prognostic biomarkers have emerged to explore efficacy of pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions in cancer. This state-of-the-art review article appraises recent evidence for a lifestyle medicine approach, beyond diet and exercise, to optimize survivorship and quality of life for patients with gynecologic cancers and introduces the 8-week web-based comprehensive HEAL-GYN program.

Prehabilitation to Improve Outcomes of Patients with Gynaecological Cancer: A New Window of Opportunity?

Simple Summary

Surgery is an important mainstay in the treatment of gynaecological cancers but is associated with operative complications, especially for those with poor physical and mental health. Prehabilitation is a new and upcoming strategy to optimise patients’ functional capacity, nutritional status and psychosocial wellbeing in order to reduce complications and enhance recovery. In this review, we assessed the evidence on prehabilitation programmes for patients with gynaecological cancer. The limited evidence shows that prehabilitation may reduce length of hospital stay for ovarian cancer patients, and may result in significant weight loss in patients with endometrial and cervical cancer. Comparative prospective studies are required to determine the effectiveness of prehabilitation on reducing operative complications and improving quality of life, and to further specify the content of such a programme for patients with gynaecological cancer.

Abstract

The literature evaluating the effect of prehabilitation programmes on postoperative outcomes and quality of life of patients with gynaecological cancer undergoing surgery was reviewed. Databases including Pubmed, Medline, EMBASE (Ovid) and PsycINFO were systematically searched to identify studies evaluating the effect of prehabilitation programmes on patients with gynaecological cancer. Both unimodal and multimodal prehabilitation programmes were included encompassing physical exercise and nutritional and psychological support. Primary outcomes were surgical complications and quality of life. Secondary outcomes were anthropometric changes and adherence to the prehabilitation programme. Seven studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, comprising 580 patients. Included studies were nonrandomised prospective studies (n = 4), retrospective studies (n = 2) and one case report. Unimodal programmes and multimodal programmes were included. In patients with ovarian cancer, multimodal prehabilitation resulted in significantly reduced hospital stay and time to chemotherapy. In patients with endometrial and cervical cancer, prehabilitation was associated with significant weight loss, but had no significant effects on surgical complications or mortality. No adverse events of the programmes were reported. Evidence on the effect of prehabilitation for patients with gynaecological cancer is limited. Future studies are needed to determine the effects on postoperative complications and quality of life.

Tobacco Smoking and Survival Following a Diagnosis with Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the influence of smoking on ovarian cancer survival. We investigated this relationship in a hospital-based study.

METHODS

Analyses included 519 women with ovarian cancer. We used multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models to estimate HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Risk of all-cause mortality was increased for current smokers (HR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.09-2.63) versus never smokers, especially for those with ≥15 cigarettes per day (HR = 1.92; 95% CI: 1.15-3.20). Results were largely similar after additional adjustment for debulking status (current vs. never smokers, HR = 2.96; 95% CI: 1.07-8.21) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy (comparable HR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.02-8.06). Compared with never smokers, smoking duration ≥20 years (HR = 1.38; 95% CI: 0.94-2.03) and ≥20 pack-years (HR = 1.35; 95% CI: 0.92-1.99) were suggestively associated with worse outcomes. Current smoking was also positively associated with the risk of mortality among patients with ovarian cancer recurrence (current vs. never/past smokers, HR = 2.79; 95% CI: 1.44-5.41), despite the null association between smoking and recurrence (HR = 1.46; 95% CI: 0.86-2.48). Furthermore, no association was observed for smoking initiation before age 18 (HR = 1.22; 95% CI: 0.80-1.85), or either environmental smoke exposure at home (HR = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.76-1.78) or at work (HR = 1.10; 95% CI: 0.75-1.60).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest active tobacco smoking is associated with worse ovarian cancer outcomes, particularly after a recurrence.

IMPACT

Our findings support structured smoking cessation programs for patients with ovarian cancer, especially in recurrent settings. Further research to confirm these findings and examine the interplay between smoking and the tumor immune microenvironment may help provide insight into ovarian cancer etiology.

A Follow-Up Study of Ovarian Cancer (OOPS): A Study Protocol

The ovarian cancer (OC) follow-up study (OOPS) is an on-going hospital-based large prospective longitudinal cohort study aimed to explore the relationship between pre/post-diagnostic biological, clinical, environmental, and lifestyle factors with focus on the diet and OC prognosis (including drug resistance, relapse, and mortality). Patients recruited during the baseline survey were between 18 and 79 years old, with histologically confirmed OC diagnosis. Their follow-up and medical treatment were conducted at the gynecological oncology ward at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China after 2015. A total of 703 OC patients made up the final OOPS study population. The follow-up stage was conducted in both passive and active modes. In the passive mode, the follow-up was performed by linkage to the Liaoning Providence Center for Disease Control and Prevention every 6 months to obtain health outcome results. The status of lifestyle factors was re-estimated using the same measurements as those in the baseline survey. OC participants in the OOPS study completed a questionnaire and anthropometric examinations. In addition, biological specimens were collected during the baseline survey, which included blood, urine, and stool samples that were stored for further use. This article is intended to serve as an introduction to this project and to provide details for investigators who may be carry out related analysis.

Current and Emerging Methods for Ovarian Cancer Screening and Diagnostics: A Comprehensive Review

With a 5-year survival rate of less than 50%, ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is one of the most highly aggressive gynecological malignancies affecting women today. The high mortality rate of HGSC is largely attributable to delays in diagnosis, as most patients remain undiagnosed until the late stages of -disease. There are currently no recommended screening tests for ovarian cancer and there thus remains an urgent need for new diagnostic methods, particularly those that can detect the disease at early stages when clinical intervention remains effective. While diagnostics for ovarian cancer share many of the same technical hurdles as for other cancer types, the low prevalence of the disease in the general population, coupled with a notable lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers, have made the development of a clinically useful screening strategy particularly challenging. Here, we present a detailed review of the overall landscape of ovarian cancer diagnostics, with emphasis on emerging methods that employ novel protein, genetic, epigenetic and imaging-based biomarkers and/or advanced diagnostic technologies for the noninvasive detection of HGSC, particularly in women at high risk due to germline mutations such as BRCA1/2. Lastly, we discuss the translational potential of these approaches for achieving a clinically implementable solution for screening and diagnostics of early-stage ovarian cancer as a means of ultimately improving patient outcomes in both the general and high-risk populations.

High Prediagnosis Inflammation-Related Risk Score Associated with Decreased Ovarian Cancer Survival

BACKGROUND

There is suggestive evidence that inflammation is related to ovarian cancer survival. However, more research is needed to identify inflammation-related factors that are associated with ovarian cancer survival and to determine their combined effects.

METHODS

This analysis used pooled data on 8,147 women with invasive epithelial ovarian cancer from the Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium. The prediagnosis inflammation-related exposures of interest included alcohol use; aspirin use; other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use; body mass index; environmental tobacco smoke exposure; history of pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and endometriosis; menopausal hormone therapy use; physical inactivity; smoking status; and talc use. Using Cox proportional hazards models, the relationship between each exposure and survival was assessed in 50% of the data. A weighted inflammation-related risk score (IRRS) was developed, and its association with survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models in the remaining 50% of the data.

RESULTS

There was a statistically significant trend of increasing risk of death per quartile of the IRRS [HR = 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.14]. Women in the upper quartile of the IRRS had a 31% higher death rate compared with the lowest quartile (95% CI, 1.11-1.54).

CONCLUSIONS

A higher prediagnosis IRRS was associated with an increased mortality risk after an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Further investigation is warranted to evaluate whether postdiagnosis exposures are also associated with survival.

IMPACT

Given that pre- and postdiagnosis exposures are often correlated and many are modifiable, our study results can ultimately motivate the development of behavioral recommendations to enhance survival among patients with ovarian cancer.

The Role of Diet in Prognosis among Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Dietary Patterns and Diet Interventions

Cancer survival continues to improve in high-income countries, partly explained by advances in screening and treatment. Previous studies have mainly examined the relationship between individual dietary components and cancer prognosis in tumours with good therapeutic response (breast, colon and prostate cancers). The aim of this review is to assess qualitatively (and quantitatively where appropriate) the associations of dietary patterns and cancer prognosis from published prospective cohort studies, as well as the effect of diet interventions by means of randomised controlled trials (RCT). A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, and a total of 35 prospective cohort studies and 14 RCT published between 2011 and 2021 were selected. Better overall diet quality was associated with improved survival among breast and colorectal cancer survivors; adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated to lower risk of mortality in colorectal and prostate cancer survivors. A meta-analysis using a random-effects model showed that higher versus lower diet quality was associated with a 23% reduction in overall mortality in breast cancer survivors. There was evidence that dietary interventions, generally combined with physical activity, improved overall quality of life, though most studies were in breast cancer survivors. Further cohort and intervention studies in other cancers are needed to make more specific recommendations.

Development and validation of the measure of ovarian symptoms and treatment concerns for surveillance (MOST-S26): An instrument to complement the clinical follow-up of women with ovarian cancer after completion of first-line treatment

OBJECTIVE

The Measure of Ovarian Symptoms and Treatment (MOST-T35) is a patient-reported symptom index, developed and validated in the context of palliative chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer (OC). We aimed to develop and validate a version suitable for surveillance of symptoms following first-line treatment for OC to support clinical follow-up.

METHODS

In a prospective study of women following completion of first-line chemotherapy for OC, patients completed MOST-T35 every 3 months for up to 3.5 years and other patient-reported outcome measures. Construct validity (Spearman's correlations), discriminative validity (t-tests/ANOVAs assessing differences between clinically distinct groups), ability to detect clinically important symptoms (receiver operating characteristic analysis), and responsiveness (t-tests examining change) were assessed.

RESULTS

Data from 726 women who received ≥3 cycles of chemotherapy, did not progress within 3 months, and completed ≥one MOST-T35 were analysed. The revised version, MOST-S26, has 26 items and 5 multi-item indexes: peripheral neuropathy (MOST-NTx), disease or treatment-related (MOST-DorT), abdominal (MOST-Abdo), and psychological symptoms (MOST-Psych), and MOST-Wellbeing, plus 9 individual items. Construct validity was confirmed (r range = 0.43-0.88). Discriminative validity confirmed expected differences between groups. MOST-NTx and MOST-Psych detected improvements in peripheral neuropathy and psychological symptoms respectively, whereas MOST-Abdo detected worsening of abdominal symptoms pre-recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

This study developed and validated the MOST-S26, for surveillance of women in follow-up after first-line chemotherapy for OC. MOST-S26 reliably detected improvement in symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, psychological distress and may detect symptoms of relapse. Administration of MOST-S26 in follow-up consultations could identify concerning symptoms and facilitate timely and appropriate intervention.

A multidisciplinary approach remains the best strategy to improve and strengthen the management of ovarian cancer (Review)

Ovarian cancer represents one of the most aggressive female tumors worldwide. Over the decades, the therapeutic options for the treatment of ovarian cancer have been improved significantly through the advancement of surgical techniques as well as the availability of novel effective drugs able to extend the life expectancy of patients. However, due to its clinical, biological and molecular complexity, ovarian cancer is still considered one of the most difficult tumors to manage. In this context, several studies have highlighted how a multidisciplinary approach to this pathology improves the prognosis and survival of patients with ovarian cancer. On these bases, the aim of the present review is to present recent advantages in the diagnosis, staging and treatment of ovarian cancer highlighting the benefits of a patient‑centered care approach and on the importance of a multidisciplinary team for the management of ovarian cancer.

Association Between Diet Quality and Risk of Ovarian and Endometrial Cancers: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies

Objectives

The relationship between diet quality indices and risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers were unclear. We aimed at conducting a systematic review to evaluate the epidemiological evidence.

Methods

Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for eligible studies up to December 2020. Epidemiological studies reported the association of the diet quality with risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers were evaluated.

Results

Eleven eligible studies were identified, of which six studies were case-control studies, four were cohort studies, and one was case-cohort study. All studies were considered as high-quality with low risk of bias. Seven studies evaluated the association of diet quality with risk of ovarian cancer. Four studies reported null association for diet quality indices such as Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2005, HEI-2010, Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and Recommended Foods Score (RFS). Two studies reported significantly inverse association for Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)-2010 and Healthy Diet Score (HDS) indices. One study reported significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer associated with higher level of Dietary Guidelines for Americans Index. Dose-response analysis showed pooled relative risks of 0.98 (95%Cl: 0.95, 1.01) and 0.94 (95%Cl: 0.77, 1.13) for each 10 points increase in the HEI-2005 and AHEI-2010 indices. Seven studies evaluated the association of diet quality with risk of endometrial cancer. Three studies reported significantly inverse association of diet quality as assessed by the MDS and Diet Score Quintiles with risk of endometrial cancer. Four studies reported null association for other diet quality indices including HEI-2005, HEI-2010, RFS and HDS. Dose-response analysis showed a pooled relative risk of 0.87 (95%CI: 0.81, 0.93) for one unit increment of the MDS.

Conclusion

This study suggests little evidence on the association between diet quality and risk of ovarian cancer. Adherence to high quality diet, as assessed by MDS, might be associated with lower the risk of endometrial cancer.