Patterns of recurrence and prognosis in locally advanced FIGO stage IB2 to IIB cervical cancer: Retrospective multicentre study from the FRANCOGYN group

Patterns of First Recurrence and Oncological Outcomes in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients: Does Surgical Staging Play a Role?

BACKGROUND

We aimed to determine whether surgical aortic staging by minimally invasive paraaortic lymphadenectomy (PALND) affects the pattern of first recurrence and survival in treated locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) patients when compared to patients staged by imaging (noPALND).

METHODS

This study was a multicenter observational retrospective cohort study of patients with LACC treated at tertiary care hospitals throughout Spain. The inclusion criteria were histological diagnosis of squamous carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, and/or adenocarcinoma; FIGO stages IB2, IIA2-IVA (FIGO 2009); and planned treatment with primary chemoradiotherapy between 2000 and 2016. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed before the analysis.

RESULTS

After PSM and sample replacement, 1092 patients were included for analysis (noPALND n = 546, PALND n = 546). Twenty-one percent of patients recurred during follow-up, with the PALND group having almost double the recurrences of the noPALND group (noPALND: 15.0%, PALND: 28.0%, p < 0.001). Nodal (regional) recurrences were more frequently observed in PALND patients (noPALND:2.4%, PALND: 11.2%, p < 0.001). Among those who recurred regionally, 57.1% recurred at the pelvic nodes, 37.1% recurred at the aortic nodes, and 5.7% recurred simultaneously at both the pelvic and aortic nodes. Patients who underwent a staging PALND were more frequently diagnosed with a distant recurrence (noPALND: 7.0%, PALND: 15.6%, p < 0.001). PALND patients presented poorer overall, cancer-specific, and disease-free survival when compared to patients in the noPALND group.

CONCLUSION

After treatment, surgically staged patients with LACC recurred more frequently and showed worse survival rates.

Patterns of recurrence in FIGO stage IB1-IB2 cervical cancer: Comparison between minimally invasive and abdominal radical hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE

Aim of our study was to evaluate whether the different laparotomic (ARH) or minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) approaches (MIS) in FIGO stage IB1-IB2 cervical cancer, present different patterns of recurrence of the disease. The secondary endpoint of the study was the evaluation of the variables most involved with the risk of relapse and therefore lower DFS and OS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study enrolled patients with definitive histological diagnosis of squamous or adenocarcinoma stage IB1-IB2 cervical cancer who underwent minimally invasive or abdominal radical hysterectomy from 2001 to 2018.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 360 patients and 59 patients (16.4 %) reported a disease relapse. The data showed that ARH group was not associated with different recurrence patterns than MIS group (p = 0.14). Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference regarding DFS (p = 0.52) and OS (p = 0.29) between the ARH group and the MIS group.

CONCLUSIONS

MIS, in FIGO stage IB1-IB2 cervical cancer, is not associated with different relapse patterns compared to ARH, nor with a higher risk of distance metastasis and finally, without significant difference in term of DFS and OS. More studies are needed to determine the factors that modify the site of relapse.

Robotic Single-Site Radical Hysterectomy for Early Cervical Cancer: A Single Center Experience of 5 Years

BACKGROUND

The mainstay of treatment for early-stage cervical cancer is surgery; we present a 5-year experience of robotic single-site radical hysterectomy (RSRH) focused on surgical and oncologic outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 44 cases of RSRH performed in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period for the 44 patients was 34 months. The mean total operation time was 156.07 ± 31.77 min, while mean console time was 95.81 ± 24.95 min. Two cases had complications, which required surgical management, while four cases (9.1%) exhibited recurrence. The disease-free survival rate at 5 years was 90.9%. The sub-division analysis showed that Stage Ia2 and stage Ib1 patient sub-group showed better DFS than that of the stage Ib2 patient sub-group. The learning curve analysis showed that the CUSUM-T initially peaks at the sixth case then gradually decreases before rising and peaking at the 24th case. After 24th case, the CUSUM-T gradually decreases and reaches zero.

CONCLUSION

The surgical outcomes of RSRH for early-stage cervical cancer treatment were safe and acceptable. However, RSRH could be considered carefully only in well-selected patient groups. Large-scale prospective studies are necessary in the future to validate the results.

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Reduces Patient-Reported Chronic Toxicity Compared With Conventional Pelvic Radiation Therapy: Updated Results of a Phase III Trial

Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the primary end point, may be published when key planned coprimary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in JCO or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported.The purpose of this update was to determine differences in patient-reported chronic toxicity and disease outcomes with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) compared with conventional pelvic radiation. Patients with cervical and endometrial cancers who received postoperative pelvic radiation were randomly assigned to conventional radiation therapy (CRT) or IMRT. Toxicity and quality of life were assessed using Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) bowel and urinary domains, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General. Between 2012 and 2015, 279 eligible patients were enrolled to the study with a median follow-up of 37.8 months. There were no differences in overall survival (P = .53), disease-free survival (P = .21), or locoregional failure (P = .81). One year after RT, patients in the CRT arm experienced more high-level diarrhea frequency (5.8% IMRT v 15.1% CRT, P = .042) and a greater number had to take antidiarrheal medication two or more times a day (1.2% IMRT v 8.6% CRT, P = .036). At 3 years, women in the CRT arm reported a decline in urinary function, whereas the IMRT arm continued to improve (mean change in EPIC urinary score = 0.5, standard deviation = 13.0, IMRT v -6.0, standard deviation = 14.3, CRT, P = .005). In conclusion, IMRT reduces patient-reported chronic GI and urinary toxicity with no difference in treatment efficacy at 3 years.

[Database's development for prospective national collection of clinical data on cervical cancer: A Delphi survey identifying consensual variables]

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer (CC) is associated with poor prognosis and therapeutic morbidity in young women. The impact of European recommendations for treatments and follow-up of these patients must be assessed. There is no real-time CCU tracking basis. Main objective of our study was to identify the items of the clinical and therapeutic data necessary for the constitution of a national, dynamic and prospective clinical database allowing to characterize treatments and follow-up of patients with CC in France.

METHODS

An exhaustive bibliographic research was lead with the help of the ESGO recommendations. A list of qualitative and quantitative variables characterizing CC was established. These variables were assessed by a panel of national experts from the Francogyn group, using the Delphi survey. The rate of agreement was calculated for each variable.

RESULTS

345 variables divided into 6 sections were identified and submitted to 26 experts. 17 experts responded to the three rounds of the Delphi method. A total of 273 items were validated. The majority of experts (90 %) also gave a favorable opinion on the addition of a quality of life section in the database.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study identifying 273 items chosen by consensus. The items are collected in a future national gynecological database "Epigyn".

Analysis of Treatment Outcomes and Prognosis After Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer

The aims of this study were to investigate the short-term and long-term efficacies and chronic radiotoxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) combined with image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and identify prognostic factors in this patient population. The clinical data of 204 patients with cervical cancer who completed CCRT and subsequent brachytherapy in our hospital between February 2015 and March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Short-term and long-term outcomes, chronic radiotoxicity, and prognostic factors were assessed. The median follow-up was 61.1 months. The short-term objective response (OR) rate was 85%. Lymph node metastasis before treatment was an independent predictor of OR (HR = 6.290, 95% CI: 2.211-17.897, p = 0.001). Fifty-two patients developed recurrence, with a median recurrence-free survival of 9.9 months (range, 2.4-52.2 months) and a post-recurrence survival of 12.1 months (range, 2.9-58.1 months). At 3 years, the cumulative incidence of overall recurrence was 26% (95% CI: 17-36). Multivariate analysis showed that Stage IIIB (HR = 2.332, 95% CI: 1.195-4.551, p = 0.013; reference, Stage IIB) and lymph node metastasis (HR = 4.462, 95% CI: 2.365-8.419, p < 0.001) were significant independent predictors of recurrence. Fifty-three patients developed chronic radiation proctitis (CRP). The incidence of severe CRP was approximately 5%, and the average rectal D2cm3 accumulation in patients with severe CRP was 73.4 Gy which is 3.9 Gy higher than that in patients without CRP (p = 0.013). At 4 years, the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival rates were 65% and 62%, respectively, and lymph node metastasis before treatment was an independent prognostic risk factor for OS. The short-term and long-term efficacies of CCRT combined with IGABT for the treatment of LACC patients were relatively satisfactory. However, the short-term and long-term efficacies of patients with lymph node metastasis before treatment were poor. For patients with lymph node metastasis before treatment, more active individualized treatment strategies should be adopted. When designing a radiotherapy plan, it is necessary to strictly limit the rectal D2cm3 accumulation to prevent serious CRP.

Hinokitiol induces cell death and inhibits epidermal growth factor-induced cell migration and signaling pathways in human cervical adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the antitumor activity of hinokitiol for its clinical application in the treatment of human cervical carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cervical carcinoma HeLa cells were treated by different concentrations of hinokitiol. Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell cycle. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) assay was used to identify senescent cells. The effects of hinokitiol on EGF-induced cell migration were determined by wound healing and transwell migration assays. Western blot was used to detect proteins involved in cell cycle progression, apoptosis, autophagy, and EGF-induced signaling pathways.

RESULTS

Hinokitiol suppressed cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that hinokitiol treatment resulted in cell cycle arrest at G1 phase, with reduced number of cells in the G2/M phase. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that hinokitiol treatment increased the levels of p53 and p21, and concomitantly reduced the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclin D and cyclin E. SA-β-gal assay showed that hinokitiol treatment significantly induced β-galactosidase activity. In addition, treatment with hinokitiol increased the accumulation of the autophagy regulators, beclin 1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3-II), in a dose-dependent manner; however, it did not induce caspase-3 activation and poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. In addition, epidermal growth factor-induced cell migration and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation were significantly inhibited by hinokitiol.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that hinokitiol might serve as a potential therapeutic agent for cervical carcinoma therapy.

Oncologic outcomes in the era of modern radiation therapy using FIGO 2018 staging system for cervical cancer

BACKGROUND

The recently published ASTRO cervical cancer guidelines recommend the use of modern radiotherapy. Imaging is now incorporated in the updated FIGO 2018 staging with a new stage IIIC. This study aims to evaluate the oncologic outcomes and predictors of survival using FIGO 2018 staging in a cohort of patients treated in an era of high-precision image-guided radiotherapy.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 216 adult cervical cancer patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy between 2010 and 2018. Eligible patients had non-metastatic cervical cancer treated at a single academic institution. All patients had pre-treatment MRI and CT/PET. Treatment protocol consisted of external beam intensity-modulated radiotherapy and 3D image-guided brachytherapy. Kaplan-Meier curves were used for survival analysis. Multivariate cox proportional-hazards model was performed to identify potential prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis was 50 and median BMI was 26.4 kg/m². Median follow-up time was 44.3 months. Five-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival and loco-regional disease-free survival rates were 76.8%, 68.5% and 82.6%, respectively. FIGO 2018 showed better OS discrimination compared to FIGO 2009 classification. OS was increasingly worse with positive pelvic and para-aortic nodes (p < 0.001). In a multivariate prediction model, performance status (p = 0.044) and FIGO 2018 classification (stage III p = 0.016; stage IVA p = 0.010) were predictors of mortality; FIGO 2018 classification (stage III p = 0.003; stage IVA p = 0.001) was a predictor of any recurrence; MRI tumor diameter (p ≤ 0.001) and nodal metastases (p = 0.024) were predictors of loco-regional recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Integration of state-of-the-art imaging in cervical cancer staging and in radiotherapy planning leads to good loco-regional control rates, however distant recurrence remains an important issue. FIGO 2018 staging better reflects patient prognosis, highlighting the need for new treatment strategies for stage IIIC cervical cancer.

Implications of the new FIGO staging and the role of imaging in cervical cancer

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging, which is the fundamentally important cancer staging system for cervical cancer, has changed in 2018. New FIGO staging includes considerable progress in the incorporation of imaging findings for tumour size measurement and evaluating lymph node (LN) metastasis in addition to tumour extent evaluation. MRI with high spatial resolution is expected for tumour size measurements and the high accuracy of positron emmision tomography/CT for LN evaluation. The purpose of this review is firstly review the diagnostic ability of each imaging modality with the clinical background of those two factors newly added and the current state for LN evaluation. Secondly, we overview the fundamental imaging findings with characteristics of modalities and sequences in MRI for accurate diagnosis depending on the focus to be evaluated and for early detection of recurrent tumour. In addition, the role of images in treatment response and prognosis prediction is given with the development of recent technique of image analysis including radiomics and deep learning.

Recurrence pattern and prognostic factors for survival in cervical cancer with lymph node metastasis

AIM

The aim of this study is to evaluate the recurrence pattern and oncological outcomes in cervical cancer (CC) patients with lymph node metastasis.

METHODS

This study included 224 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 stage IB1-IIIB CC patients with pathologically proven lymph node metastasis. Surgical intervention was grouped as hysterectomy performed/not performed. Adjuvant therapy decision was made by the tumor board. Radiotherapy was applied to all patients with lymph node metastasis.

RESULTS

Only paraaortic lymph node metastasis was determined as an independent prognostic factor for recurrence. Presence of paraaortic lymph node metastasis increased the risk of recurrence more than two times (odds ratio: 2.129; 95% confidence interval: 1.011-4.485; p = 0.047). An independent prognostic factor for death because of disease was age only. Risk of death was nearly doubled with younger age (odds ratio: 2.693; 95% confidence interval: 1.064-6.184; p = 0.037).

CONCLUSION

The most of recurrences were located at distant sites and multiple regions. Paraaortic lymph node metastasis was the only independent prognostic factor for recurrence, in spite of that age was an independent predictor for risk of death in patients with early stage or locally advanced CC and also with surgically proven metastatic lymph nodes. Furthermore, the presence of the paraaortic lymph node metastasis was significantly associated with distant recurrence. Therefore, more appropriate and individualized therapy strategy focusing on intenser systemic chemotherapy options in addition to radiotherapy should be taken into consideration according to paraaortic lymph node metastasis and age.

[Para-aortic lymph node staging in grade IB2 and above cervical cancers: Comparison of 18FDG PET-CT with para-aortic lymphadenectomy, using data from the Côte d'Or gynaecological cancer registry from 2003 to 2016]

INTRODUCTION

Current guidelines (ASCO, ESTRO, and ESGO) recommend para-aortic lymphadenectomy (PAL) for lymph node staging in patients with a negative initial PET-CT in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC), with the aim to determine the radiation fields for radiochemotherapy. The main goal of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) in two groups, which differed according to the para-aortic lymph node staging technique used: imaging alone versus imaging and PAL. Secondary objectives were to determine recurrence-free survival (RFS), the proportion of false negatives on PET-CT, and surgery-related complications.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, observational study on data from the Côte d'Or gynaecological cancer registry collected from 2003 to 2016, and compared two groups of LACC with different techniques for staging para-aortic lymph nodes: PET-CT alone (iN group) (n=99) and PET-CT associated with PAL (pN group) (n=35) for a total of 134 patients.

RESULTS

OS (HR=1.04 (95% CI: 0.53-2.03); P=0.9) and RFS (HR=0.65 (95% CI: 0.29-1.45); P=0.29) were similar in both groups. There were 11.4% of false negatives in PET-CT, and 2.9% of patients who underwent PAL experienced complications. The staging method, iN or pN, had no impact on the time to the implementation of concomitant radiochemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

For lymph node staging in LACC, PAL after a PET-CT as compared with PET-CT staging alone, had no significant impact on OS or RFS.

Magnetic resonance imaging-based validation of the 2018 FIGO staging system in patients treated with definitive radiotherapy for locally advanced cervix cancer

OBJECTIVE

To validate the revised 2018 International Federation of Gynecologic and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system in patients who underwent diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiotherapy (RT) for locally advanced cervix cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed 677 patients who were diagnosed with pelvic MRI and treated with definitive (chemo-)RT for locally advanced cervix cancer (stage IB2/IIA2-IVA or N+) between 1992 and 2018. Patients were classified according to 2009 and 2018 FIGO staging, and survival outcomes were compared. We developed a nomogram to improve prediction of progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Pelvic and paraaortic lymph nodes were positive in 331 (48.9%) and 78 (11.5%) patients, respectively. At a median follow-up of 77.9 months, the 5-year PFS was 83.5%, 65.2%, 71.0%, 60.6%, 37.6% and 38.9% for IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB and IVA according to FIGO 2009 and 88.9%, 60.0%, 73.8%, 66.7%, 36.3%, 68.9%, 43.6%, and 38.9% for IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC1, IIIC2, and IVA according to FIGO 2018, respectively. Survival of stage IIIC cervix cancer depended on the local extent of the tumor: the 5-year PFS of T1, T2, and T3 stages were 80.3%, 73.9%, and 45.5% for IIIC1 and 100%, 44.9%, and 23.4% for IIIC2. Histology, tumor size, node metastasis, FIGO 2009, and treatment modality were independent prognostic factors in the Cox regression analysis, and the nomogram incorporating these factors outperformed FIGO 2009 and FIGO 2018 (AUC 0.718 vs. 0.616 vs. 0.594).

CONCLUSIONS

FIGO 2018 revision was associated with heterogenous outcomes among stage III cervix cancer patients. Our nomogram can assist the FIGO system in predicting PFS after definitive RT.

Recurrence Pattern of Cervical Cancer Based on the Platinum Sensitivity Concept: A Multi-Institutional Study from the FRANCOGYN Group

The standard of care for patients with advanced cervical cancer (ACC) includes platinum-based chemotherapy. The concept of platinum sensitivity is a major prognostic factor for patients with ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to validate the applicability of the platinum sensitivity concept to ACC patients, and to estimate its prognostic interest in terms of overall survival (OS) and pattern of recurrence (location, timing). Data of women with histologically proven FIGO 2019 stages IB3-IV ACC, treated between May 2000 and November 2017 with platinum-based regimens, were retrospectively abstracted from 12 institutions from the FRANCOGYN Group. Respective 3-year OSs were 52% (95% CI: 40.8%-66.8%), 21.6% (95% CI: 12.6%-37.2%), and 14.6% (95% CI: 4.2%-50.2%), in case of recurrence <6 months, between 6 and 17 months, and ≥18 months (p < 0.001). Risk of metastatic or multisite recurrence was significantly higher in case of recurrence <6 months, and risk of local or isolated infradiaphragmatic nodal recurrence was significantly higher in case of recurrence >18 months (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, platinum sensitivity status was a strong prognostic factor for OS after recurrence, independent of histological grade, lympho-vascular space involvement, final lymph node status, and treatment. Platinum sensitivity status may help to classify patients in three prognostic subgroups for OS after recurrence, and appears to be a strong prognostic factor correlated to the pattern of recurrence.

Cervical cancer recurrence - can we predict the type of recurrence?

PURPOSE

We aimed to identify if there is an association between the severity of cervical cancer at diagnosis and the pattern of recurrence.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of recurrent cervical cancers diagnosed between 2016 and 2018. We characterized the cases according to histology, size, FIGO stage (according to 2009 and 2018 FIGO classifications) and nodal involvement at diagnosis, symptoms at the time of recurrence, interval between the end of treatment and recurrence, imaging methods used, and location of the recurrence. Statistical analysis was performed between histology, size, FIGO stage and nodal involvement at diagnosis and time to recurrence and type of recurrence (locoregional versus lymph node, distant or multiple site involvement).

RESULTS

We included 48 patients with recurrent cervical cancer. At diagnosis, mean tumor size was 5 cm and 83% of the patients had squamous cell carcinoma. The FIGO stage changed in 43.8% of patients between the 2009 and the 2018 classifications. A mean of 26 months elapsed between the end of treatment and recurrence. Recurrence was symptomatic in 64.6% of patients. Imaging identified recurrence in 97.9% of patients. The most frequent recurrence sites were locoregional and lymph node metastases. We found a statistically significant association between 2009 FIGO stage and time to recurrence (P = 0.030) and lymph node involvement at diagnosis and type of recurrence (P = 0.022). As expected patients with more advanced disease recurred sooner, though this was only observed for the 2009 FIGO classification. Absence of lymph nodes at initial diagnosis was associated with locoregional recurrence, while presence of lymph node involvement was associated with lymph node, distant or multiple site involvement of recurrence. No other significant associations were found.

CONCLUSION

In our cohort of recurrent cervical cancer, we found an association between patients without lymph node metastases at initial diagnosis and locoregional recurrence. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate whether this association has predictive value.

Bevacizumab Efficacy and Recurrence Pattern of Persistent and Metastatic Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of bevacizumab combined with cisplatin and paclitaxel for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective review of medical records of patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer.

RESULTS

Of the 52 patients, 33 (63.5%), 7 (13.5%) and 12 (23.1%) had recurrent, persistent and metastatic disease, respectively. Twenty-seven patients (51.9%) had prior platinum exposure. Possible bevacizumab-related serious adverse events included hypertension (n=3/52, 5.8%), febrile neutropenia (n=4/52, 7.7%) and fistula (n=2/52, 3.8%). Thirty-two recurrences (61.5%) and 20 deaths (38.5%) were noted. Median progression-free and overall survival was 9.8 months and 15.3 months, respectively. Recurrence included loco-regional (17/32, 59.4%), nodal (11/32, 34.4%), distant site (10/32, 31.3%) and peritoneal seeding (6/32, 18.8%).

CONCLUSION

Bevacizumab with cisplatin and paclitaxel for treating persistent, recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer is feasible and well tolerated. Loco-regional recurrence was most frequent. Overall survival was worse with recurrence at >2 sites or distant metastases.