Oxaliplatin plus high-dose leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX 4) in platinum-resistant and taxane-pretreated ovarian cancer: a phase II study

Focus on Multi-targeted Role of Curcumin: a Boon in Therapeutic Paradigm

Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound that exhibited good anticancer potential against different types of cancers through its multi-targeted effect like the termination of cell proliferation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis, thereby acting as antiproliferative and cytotoxic in nature. The present review surveys the various drug combination tried with curcumin or its synthetic analogues and also the mechanism by which curcumin potentiates the effect of almost every drug. In addition, this article also focuses on aromatherapy which is gaining much popularity in cancer patients. After thoroughly studying several articles on combination therapy of curcumin through authenticated book chapters, websites, research, and review articles available at PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc., it has been observed that multi-targeted curcumin possess enormous anticancer potential and, with whatever drug it is given in combination, has always resulted in enhanced effect with reduced dose as well as side effects. It is also capable enough in overcoming the problem of chemoresistance. Besides this, aromatherapy also proved its potency in reducing cancer-related side effects. Combining all the factors together, we can conclude that combination therapy of drugs with curcumin should be explored extensively. In addition, aromatherapy can be used as an adjuvant or supplementary therapy to reduce the cancer complications in patients.

Establishment of Acquired Cisplatin Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines Characterized by Enriched Metastatic Properties with Increased Twist Expression

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal of the gynecologic cancers, and platinum-based treatment is a part of the standard first-line chemotherapy regimen. However, rapid development of acquired cisplatin resistance remains the main cause of treatment failure, and the underlying mechanism of resistance in OC treatment remains poorly understood. Faced with this problem, our aim in this study was to generate cisplatin-resistant (CisR) OC cell models in vitro and investigate the role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) transcription factor Twist on acquired cisplatin resistance in OC cell models. To achieve this aim, OC cell lines OV-90 and SKOV-3 were exposed to cisplatin using pulse dosing and stepwise dose escalation methods for a duration of eight months, and a total of four CisR sublines were generated, two for each cell line. The acquired cisplatin resistance was confirmed by determination of 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) and clonogenic survival assay. Furthermore, the CisR cells were studied to assess their respective characteristics of metastasis, EMT phenotype, DNA repair and endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated cell death. We found the IC₅₀ of CisR cells to cisplatin was 3–5 times higher than parental cells. The expression of Twist and metastatic ability of CisR cells were significantly greater than those of sensitive cells. The CisR cells displayed an EMT phenotype with decreased epithelial cell marker E-cadherin and increased mesenchymal proteins N-cadherin and vimentin. We observed that CisR cells showed significantly higher expression of DNA repair proteins, X-ray repair cross-complementing protein 1 (XRCC1) and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases 1 (PARP1), with significantly reduced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated cell death. Moreover, Twist knockdown reduced metastatic ability of CisR cells by suppressing EMT, DNA repair and inducing ER stress-induced cell death. In conclusion, we highlighted the utilization of an acquired cisplatin resistance model to identify the potential role of Twist as a therapeutic target to reverse acquired cisplatin resistance in OC.

Mucinous Cancer of the Ovary: Overview and Current Status

Mucinous ovarian cancer (MOC) is a rare subtype of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC). Whereas all EOC subtypes are addressed in the same way, MOC is a distinct entity. Appreciating the pathological features and genomic profile of MOC may result in the improvement in management and, hence, the prognosis. Distinguishing primary MOC from metastatic mucinous carcinoma can be challenging but is essential. Early-stage MOC carries an excellent prognosis, with advanced disease having a poor outcome. Surgical management plays an essential role in the early stage and in metastatic disease. Chemotherapy is usually administered for stage II MOC and beyond. The standard gynecology protocol is frequently used, but gastrointestinal regimens have also been administered. As MOC is associated with multiple molecular alterations, targeted therapy could be the answer to treat this disease.

An international, phase III randomized trial in patients with mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC/GOG 0241) with long-term follow-up: and experience of conducting a clinical trial in a rare gynecological tumor

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated four different treatment regimens for advanced-stage mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter randomized factorial trial (UK and US). Patients were diagnosed with primary mEOC: FIGO stage II-IV or recurrence after stage I disease. Treatment arms were paclitaxel-carboplatin, oxaliplatin-capecitabine, paclitaxel-carboplatin-bevacizumab, or oxaliplatin-capecitabine-bevacizumab. Chemotherapy was given 3-weekly for 6 cycles, and bevacizumab (3-weekly) was continued as maintenance (for 12 cycles). Endpoints included overall-survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), toxicity and quality of life (QoL).

RESULTS

The trial stopped after 50 patients were recruited due to slow accrual. Median follow-up was 59 months. OS hazard ratios (HR) for the two main comparisons were: 0.78 (p = 0.48) for Oxal-Cape vs. Pac-Carbo (each with/without bevacizumab), and 1.04 (p = 0.92) for bevacizumab vs. no bevacizumab. Corresponding PFS HRs were: 0.84 and 0.80. Retrospective central pathology review revealed only 45% (18/40) cases with available material had confirmed primary mEOC. Among these, OS HR for Oxal-Cape vs. Pac-Carbo was 0.36 (p = 0.14); PFS HR = 0.62 (p = 0.40). Grade 3-4 toxicity was seen in 61% Pac-Carbo, 61% Oxal-Cape, 54% Pac-Carbo-Bev, and 85% Oxal-Cape-Bev. QoL was similar between the four arms.

CONCLUSION

mEOC/GOG0241 represents an example of a randomized rare tumor trial. Logistical challenges led to early termination, including difficulties in local histopathological diagnosis and accessing drugs outside their labelled indication. There was misalignment between central funders who support clinical trials in rare cancers and the deprioritisation of such work by those managing and funding research at a local level. Rare cancer trials should include centralised pathology review before treatment. Clinical trial registry number: ISRCTN83438782.

Weekly cisplatin for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer: A protocol for a systematic review of randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most leading causes of deaths in the Chinese women. The objective of this protocol is to perform a full-scale systematic review on the efficacy of weekly cisplatin (WC) for the treatment of patients with OC.

METHODS

Data sources will comprise of PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Opengrey, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. All relevant randomized controlled trials from searched databases will be identified from their inception to the present. A defined search strategy will be implemented along with eligibility criteria. Relevant data will be extracted according to the predefined data collection form. Methodologic quality will be assessed by using Cochrane risk of bias tool; and data pooled and meta-analysis will be conducted by using fixed-effects, or random-effects model with RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

This proposed systematic review will evaluate the efficacy of WC for patients with OC.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study may summarize the latest evidence for the WC on OC.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval is not required for this study, because it will be based on published studies, and existing sources of literature. The results of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42018120938.

Oxaliplatin plus leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX-4) as a salvage chemotherapy in heavily-pretreated platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX-4) chemotherapy in terms of the response rate, progression-free/overall survival (PFS/OS) and safety profile in patients with heavily pretreated recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods

Clinical data were reviewed in 29 patients who received FOLFOX-4 as more than third-line chemotherapy, consisting of 85 mg/m² of oxaliplatin, 200 mg/m² of leucovorin, and bolus 400 mg/m² on day 1 of 5-fluorouracil, followed by a 22-h infusion of 600 mg/m² of 5-fluorouracil for 2 consecutive days every 3 weeks. We also compared the efficacy and toxicity of FOLFOX-4 with that of topotecan, a standard treatment, given at a dosage of 1.5 mg/m² every three weeks in 26 patients.

Results

The median age of enrolled patients was 60 years (range 33 to 85). A median of 4 cycles (range 1–17) of FOLFOX-4 were administered. Complete response and partial response were observed in one (3.5%) and 5 (17.2.2%) patients, respectively, while stable disease was reported in 8 (27.6%) patients. Among all patients, grade 3–4 anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia were observed in 0 (0%), 5 (17.2%), and 3 (10.3%) cases, respectively. Grade 3–4 fatigue was recorded in one (3.4%) patient and diarrhea in 2 (6.9%). Median PFS and OS were 2.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7–4.9] and 6.2 months (95% CI 2.4–14.6), respectively. No significant differences in terms of efficacy and toxicity were observed between patients receiving FOLFOX-4 and those treated with topotecan.

Conclusions

The FOLFOX-4 regimen would seem to obtain similar survival rates to those of standard therapy with topotecan in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Further randomized trials are warranted to confirm our findings.

Malignant transformation of ovarian mature cystic teratoma into squamous cell carcinoma: a Taiwanese Gynecologic Oncology Group (TGOG) study

Objective

The malignant transformation (MT) of ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT) to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is very rare. This study analyzed cases from multiple medical centers in Taiwan to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and prognostic factors of this disease and reviewed related literature.

Methods

Pathological reports of 16,001 patients with primary ovarian cancer who were treated at Taiwan medical centers from 1990 to 2011 were reviewed. In total, 52 patients with MT of MCT to SCC were identified.

Results

Among all ovarian MCTs, the incidence of MT to SCC is 0.2%. The median age of patients was 52 years (range, 29–89 years), and the mean tumor size was 10.5 cm (range, 1–40 cm). We analyzed the patients in our study and those in the literature and determined that early identification and complete surgical resection of the tumor are essential for long-term survival. In addition, adjuvant chemotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy can be used to treat this malignancy. Old age, large tumor size (≥15.0 cm), and solid components in MCTs are suitable indicators predicting the risk of MT of MCT to SCC.

Conclusion

Similar to general epithelial ovarian cancers, the early detection of MT of MCT to SCC is critical to long-term survival. Therefore, older patients with a large tumor or those with a tumor containing a solid component in a clinically diagnosed MCT should be evaluated to exclude potential MT to SCC.

Epirubicin, Cisplatin, and Capecitabine for Primary Platinum-Resistant or Platinum-Refractory Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Results of a Retrospective, Single-Institution Study

Supplemental digital content is available in the text.

Objective

Primary platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is an area of unmet medical need. There is limited evidence from small studies that platinum-based combinations can overcome “resistance” in a proportion of patients. We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of platinum-based combination chemotherapy in the platinum-resistant and platinum-refractory setting.

Methods

Epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine (ECX) combination chemotherapy was used at our institution for the treatment of relapsed EOC. From the institutional database, we identified all patients with primary platinum-refractory or platinum-resistant relapse treated with ECX as second-line therapy between 2001 and 2012. We extracted demographic, clinical, treatment, and toxicity data and outcomes. We used logistic and Cox regression models to identify predictors of response and survival respectively.

Results

Thirty-four 34 patients (8 refractory, 26 resistant) were treated with ECX. Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) response rate was 45%, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.4 months, and overall survival (OS) was 10.6 months. Platinum-resistant patients had better outcomes than did platinum-refractory patients (response rate, 54% vs 0%, P = 0.047; PFS 7.2 vs 1.8 months, P < 0.0001; OS 14.4 vs 3 months, P < 0.001). In regression models, time to progression after first-line treatment and platinum-refractory status were the strongest predictors of response and PFS or OS, respectively. Patients with time to progression after first-line treatment longer than 3 months showed PFS and OS of 7.9 and 14.7 months, respectively. Toxicity was manageable, with only 13% of cycles administered at reduced doses.

Conclusions

Epirubicin, cisplatin, and capecitabine seems to be active in platinum-resistant relapsed EOC with manageable toxicity. Further prospective investigation of platinum-anthracycline combinations is warranted in patients who relapse 3 to 6 months after first-line platinum-taxane treatment.

Mucinous ovarian cancer: A therapeutic review

Mucinous ovarian cancer represents approximately 3% of epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC). Despite this seemingly low prevalence, it remains a diagnostic and therapeutic conundrum that has resulted in numerous attempts to adopt novel strategies in managing this disease. Anecdotally, there has been a prevailing notion that established gold standard systemic regimens should be substituted for those utilised in cancers such as gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies; tumours that share more biological similarities than other EOC subtypes. This review summarises the plethora of small studies which have adopted this philosophy and influenced the design of the multinational GOG142 study, which was ultimately terminated due to poor accrual. To date, there is a paucity of evidence to support delivering 'GI style' chemotherapy for mucinous ovarian cancer over and above carboplatin-paclitaxel doublet therapy. Hence there is an urge to develop studies focused on targeted therapeutic agents driven by refined mutational analysis and conducted within the context of harmonised international collaborations.

A series of malignant ovarian cancers arising from within a mature cystic teratoma: a single institution experience

BACKGROUND

Mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is the most common germ cell tumor. It accounts for 10% to 20% of all ovarian masses. The likelihood of malignancy arising from within an MCT is low, and prognosis is poor.

METHODS

A single-institution retrospective chart review was completed of all cases of MCT from 2004 to 2012. Multiple variables were examined including procedure performed, residual disease after surgery, surgical stage, histologic type, site of primary disease, date of recurrence, whether or not adjuvant chemotherapy was given, and whether or not there was death secondary to disease.

RESULTS

During the study period, 1.2% of MCTs exhibited malignant transformation. The average age at presentation was 53.7 years. Mean follow-up time was 23 months. The most common presenting symptoms were bloating and abdominal pain. The average tumor size was 18 cm. Of note, 33% of cases were at least surgical stage IIIC at the time of presentation, whereas the remainder were stage IC or lower. Four (44.4%) of the 9 cases were identified as mucinous adenocarcinoma in addition to 1 case each of malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Only 1 patient experienced recurrence. One patient had a known MCT that was being managed expectantly and exhibited malignant transformation to a mucinous adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

A large ovarian mass that is suspected to be a mature teratoma should be managed more aggressively in older patients. Our data suggest that although malignancy arising from mature teratomas is rare, it is more likely when patients are older than 40 years, the mass is greater than 18 cm, and there is any suspicion for a mucinous tumor. Like most ovarian tumors, these tumors most often present at later stages and, thus, can be difficult to treat. It is unclear what role chemotherapy or radiation plays in the management of these tumors.

Intensive cisplatin/oral etoposide for epithelial ovarian cancer: the Cambridge Gynae-Oncology Centre experience: too toxic for relapse?

Intensive cisplatin and oral etoposide for relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), commonly known as the van der Burg (VDB) protocol, has been reported to improve response rates and progression-free survival. We report on all patients with relapsed EOC treated on the VDB protocol at the Cambridge Gynae-Oncology Centre. From the institutional databases, we identified all patients treated since 2001. We extracted demographic, clinical, treatment, and toxicity data and outcomes. We used Cox regression to identify predictors of survival. A total of 35 patients were treated on the VDB protocol. Toxicity was significant, with grade 3/4 fatigue, nausea and vomiting affecting 46, 46 and 29% of patients, respectively. Six patients had grade 3/4 infection and four (11%) deaths occurred on treatment. Efficacy was encouraging, with a radiological response rate of 43%, a median progression-free survival of 5.8 months and a median overall survival of 14.1 months. No significant difference in efficacy was seen between platinum-resistant and sensitive patients. We report significant activity of the VDB protocol in a routine clinical setting. However, the high rates of serious toxicity and treatment-related deaths among patients treated with palliative intent proved unacceptable. The Cambridge Gynae-Oncology Centre no longer uses this regimen in women with relapsed EOC.

Chemotherapy for Late-Stage Cancer Patients: Meta-Analysis of Complete Response Rates

Complete response (CR) rates reported for cytotoxic chemotherapy for late-stage cancer patients are generally low, with few exceptions, regardless of the solid cancer type or drug regimen. We investigated CR rates reported in the literature for clinical trials using chemotherapy alone, across a wide range of tumour types and chemotherapeutic regimens, to determine an overall CR rate for late-stage cancers. A total of 141 reports were located using the PubMed database. A meta-analysis was performed of reported CR from 68 chemotherapy trials (total 2732 patients) using standard agents across late-stage solid cancers—a binomial model with random effects was adopted. Mean CR rates were compared for different cancer types, and for chemotherapeutic agents with different mechanisms of action, using a logistic regression. Our results showed that the CR rates for chemotherapy treatment of late-stage cancer were generally low at 7.4%, regardless of the cancer type or drug regimen used. We found no evidence that CR rates differed between different chemotherapy drug types, but amongst different cancer types small CR differences were evident, although none exceeded a mean CR rate of 11%. This remarkable concordance of CR rates regardless of cancer or therapy type remains currently unexplained, and motivates further investigation.

Post-first-line FOLFOX chemotherapy for grade 3 neuroendocrine carcinoma

There is no standard for second-line chemotherapy in poorly differentiated grade 3 neuroendocrine carcinoma (G3-NEC) patients. We analyzed the antitumor efficacy of 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) chemotherapy in this population. A single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive G3-NEC patients treated with FOLFOX chemotherapy after failure of a cisplatinum-based regimen between December 2003 and June 2012 was performed. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), response rate, and safety were assessed according to RECIST 1.1 and NCI.CTC v4 criteria. Twenty consecutive patients were included (seven males and 13 females; median age 55; range 23-87 years) with a performance status of 0-1 in 75% of them. Primary location was gastroenteropancreatic in 12, thoracic in four, other in two, and unknown in two patients. There were 12 (65%) large-cell and 7 (30%) small-cell G3-NEC tumors, and 1 (5%) unknown. All patients had distant metastases. Twelve (60%) patients received FOLFOX as second-line treatment and 8 (40%) as third-line treatment or later and the median number of administered cycles was 6 (range 3-14). The median follow-up was 19 months. Median PFS was 4.5 months. Among the 17 evaluable patients, five partial responses (29%), six stable diseases (35%), and six progressive diseases (35%) were observed. Median OS was 9.9 months. Main Grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia (35%), thrombopenia (20%), nausea/vomiting (10%), anemia (10%), and elevated liver transaminases (10%). Our results indicate that the FOLFOX regimen could be considered as a second-line option in poorly differentiated G3-NEC patients after cisplatinum-based first-line treatment but warrant further confirmation in future larger prospective studies.

Gemcitabine-oxaliplatin (GEMOX) as salvage treatment in pretreated epithelial ovarian cancer patients

Background

Currently, no clearly superior management strategy exists for recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. We tested the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine combined with oxaliplatin (GEMOX) in a multicentre phase II clinical trial.

Methods

Forty one patients with recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were enrolled. Prior to study entry, all the participants had received at least one platinum-based regimen. Gemcitabine was administered at 1000 mg/m² as protracted infusion (100 min) on day 1, and oxaliplatin at the dose of 100 mg/m² on day 2 in a 2 hour infusion. Cycles were repeated every two weeks.

Results

We observed an overall response rate of 37% [95% Confidence Interval (CI), 22.3–51.7]. Objective responses plus disease stabilization (clinical benefit) occurred in 78% of patients. Median progression-free survival was 6.8 months (95% CI, 5.8–7.8), and median overall survival was 16.5 months (95% CI, 12.2–20.8). Median time to self-reported symptom relief, which was described by 22 out of 27 symptomatic patients (81.5%), was 4 weeks (range, 2–8). Grade 4 neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were observed in 2 (5%) and 1 (2.5%) patients, while grade 3 anemia was encountered in 2 (5%) patients, respectively. The most common adverse effects of any grade were gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue and neutropenia. Nine patients (22%) experienced mild allergic reaction to oxaliplatin, with no treatment discontinuation.

Conclusions

In our cohort of recurrent, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients, GEMOX showed encouraging activity and manageable toxicity. Under circumstances requiring a rapid disease control, this combination regimen may offer a particularly viable option, particularly in heavily pretreated patients.

Feasibility of Oxaliplatin, Leucovorin, and 5-Fluorouracil (FOLFOX-4) Chemotherapy in Heavily Pretreated Patients with Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX-4) chemotherapy in heavily pretreated patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Materials and Methods

Clinical data were reviewed in 28 patients who received FOLFOX-4 as more than the second-line chemotherapy, consisting of 85 mg/m² of oxaliplatin as a 2-hour infusion, 200 mg/m² of leucovorin as a 2-hour infusion, and bolus 400 mg/m² on day 1, followed by a 22-hour infusion of 600 mg/m² of 5-fluorouracil for two consecutive days every three weeks. In addition, its efficacy and toxicity were compared with those reported in in three previous relevant studies.

Results

A total of 128 cycles of FOLFOX-4 were administered with the median number of five cycles (range, 1 to 10 cycles). In nine patients with measurable disease, complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) were observed in 0 (0%) and two (22.2%) patients, whereas in 19 patients with non-measurable disease, CR and PR were observed in 0 (0%) and five (26.3%) patients. Among all patients, grade 3 anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia were observed in two (7.1%), three (10.7%), and one (3.6%) patient, and grade 3 fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and peripheral neuropathy were observed in one (3.6%), two (7.1%), and three (10.7%) patients. In addition, median values of time to progressive disease and chemotherapy-specific survival were three months (range, 0 to 10 months) and nine months (range, 4 to 24 months).

Conclusion

FOLFOX-4 is feasible as salvage chemotherapy with acceptable toxicity for heavily pretreated patients with recurrent EOC.

Cost-effectiveness of gene-expression profiling for tumor-site origin

OBJECTIVES

Gene-expression profiling (GEP) reliably supplements traditional clinicopathological information on the tissue of origin (TOO) in metastatic or poorly differentiated cancer. A cost-effectiveness analysis of GEP TOO testing versus usual care was conducted from a US third-party payer perspective.

METHODS

Data on recommendation changes for chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, blood tests, imaging investigations, and hospice care were obtained from a retrospective, observational study of patients whose physicians received GEP TOO test results. The effects of chemotherapy recommendation changes on survival were based on the results of trials cited in National Comprehensive Cancer Network and UpToDate guidelines. Drug and administration costs were based on average doses reported in National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Other unit costs came from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services fee schedules. Quality-of-life weights were obtained from literature. Bootstrap analysis estimated sample variability; probabilistic sensitivity analysis addressed parameter uncertainty.

RESULTS

Chemotherapy regimen recommendations consistent with guidelines for final tumor-site diagnoses increased significantly from 42% to 65% (net difference 23%; P<0.001). Projected overall survival increased from 15.9 to 19.5 months (mean difference 3.6 months; two-sided 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2-3.9). The average increase in quality-adjusted life-months was 2.7 months (95% CI 1.5-4.3), and average third-party payer costs per patient increased by $10,360 (95% CI $2,982-$19,192). The cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained was $46,858 (95% CI $13,351-$104,269).

CONCLUSIONS

GEP TOO testing significantly altered clinical practice patterns and is projected to increase overall survival, quality-adjusted life-years, and costs, resulting in an expected cost per quality-adjusted life-year of less than $50,000.

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of ovary: Changing treatment paradigms

Traditionally, all carcinomas arising from the surface epithelial layer of the ovary have been grouped together. This grouping has led to a single therapeutic strategy that is used for all epithelial ovarian cancers. However mucinous cancers appear to be distinct from serous cancers in their clinical behaviour and molecular signatures. In comparison to serous tumours, early stage mucinous tumours tend to be localised at diagnosis with a higher overall survival. But when metastatic at presentation or after recurrence, the outcome of mucinous tumours is far inferior to serous tumours. With standard platinum based chemotherapy the response rate and survival is far worse in mucinous cancers. The precise biological and molecular explanation for this difference remains unanswered. There is urgent need for testing and adoption of therapeutic approaches tailored to molecular characteristics of mucinous carcinomas so that patient survival can be optimised.

Mucinous tumours of the ovary

Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancers (mEOC) are a relatively rare subset of ovarian cancers. Despite a relatively favourable outcome in early disease, the more frequent advanced presentation is associated with poorer response to platinum/taxane chemotherapies, and poorer survival, compared to serous ovarian cancers. We consider some of the fundamental clinico-pathological and molecular features, and existing clinical trial data regarding mEOC. Underlying molecular differences, between mEOC and serous cancers may contribute to the observed clinical differences, including an increased prevalence of K-RAS mutations in mEOC, more in keeping with gastrointestinal tumours. This observation contributes to the rationale for a trial (“mEOC”) investigating the use of “ovarian” versus “gastrointestinal” style chemotherapy. Looking to potential future approaches, we speculate upon the potential impact of emerging technologies on the future investigation and management of mEOC.

Targeted treatment of recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer: current and emerging therapies

With advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapeutic agents, mortality rates from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) have slightly decreased over the last 30 years. However, EOC still ranks as the most deadly gynecologic cancer with an overall 5-year survival rate of 45%. Prognosis is especially disappointing for women with platinum-resistant disease, where 80% of patients will fail to respond to available therapies. Emerging treatment strategies have sub-sequently focused on targets which are integral to tumor growth and metastasis. In this review, we will focus on those innovative agents currently under investigation in clinical trials.

New emerging drugs targeting the genomic integrity and replication machinery in ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian cancer is a difficult to treat cancer entity with a high relapse rate. After initial surgery and chemotherapy, only a few options for therapeutic treatment remain in case of cancer recurrence. New treatment options with improved efficacies to circumvent acquired or pre-existing drug resistance are needed.

MATERIALS

This survey focuses on new prospective drugs for ovarian cancer treatment that either cause direct damage to the nuclear DNA or inhibit chromosome segregation by acting as mitotic spindle inhibitors.

RESULTS

Among a plethora of currently tested and proposed new drugs for ovarian cancer treatment, only a few appear to meet the criteria of sufficient and reliable efficacy with tolerable toxicity. These include the naturally occurring DNA-alkylating alkaloid trabectedin, the nitrogen mustard prodrug canfosfamide, and the synthetic kinase inhibitor ON-01910. The latter inhibits mitotic spindle formation without a direct tubulin interaction, avoiding adverse neurotoxic reactions common to the taxanes. Further, epothilones and oxaliplatin, already approved drugs for other cancer entities, show promising activity against ovarian cancer; they are even of interest as a first-line treatment option.

DISCUSSION

Although the current focus and interest of modern cancer drug design tends to be more specific and targeted therapies, including therapeutic antibodies and specific small molecules to inhibit growth-, apoptosis-, and angiogenesis-regulating signalling cascades, the main target for ovarian cancer treatment appears to remain its basic, though uncontrolled working proliferation machinery. This includes the current gold standard for ovarian cancer chemotherapy, carboplatin, and taxanes, as well as the few remaining alternatives, such as topotecan, doxorubicin, and gemcitabine, which all rely on their ability to bind to or to modify the DNA or the chromosome-separating spindle apparatus. Thus, the genomic integrity and replication machinery of ovarian cancer cells prove to represent an established, and obviously still effective target to be tackled for ovarian cancer treatment.

Oxaliplatin down-regulates survivin by p38 MAP kinase and proteasome in human colon cancer cells

Oxaliplatin, a platinum derivative cancer drug, has been used for treating human colorectal cancers. Survivin has been proposed as a cancer target, which highly expressed in most cancer cells but not normal adult cells. In this study, we investigated the regulation of survivin expression by exposure to oxaliplatin in human colon cancer cells. Oxaliplatin (3-9μM for 24h) markedly induced cytotoxicity, proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in the human RKO colon cancer cells. The survivin protein expression of RKO cells is dramatically reduced by oxaliplatin; however, the survivin gene expression is slightly altered. The survivin blockage of oxaliplatin elevated caspase-3 activation and apoptosis in RKO cells. Over-expression of survivin proteins by transfection with a survivin-expressed vector resisted the oxaliplatin-induced cancer cell death. Meantime, oxaliplatin elicited the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. SB202190, a specific p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, restored the survivin protein level and attenuated oxaliplatin-induced cancer cell death. In addition, oxaliplatin increased the levels of phospho-p53 (Ser-15) and total p53 proteins. Inhibition of p53 expression by a specific p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α reduced the phosphorylated p38 MAP kinase and active caspase-3 proteins in the oxaliplatin-exposed RKO cells. In contrast, SB202190 did not alter the oxaliplatin-induced p53 protein level. Furthermore, treatment with a specific proteasome inhibitor MG132 restored survivin protein level in the oxaliplatin-treated colon cancer cells. Taken together, our results demonstrate for the first time that survivin is down-regulated by p38 MAP kinase and proteasome degradation pathway after treatment with oxaliplatin in the human colon cancer cells.

Phase 2 trial of docetaxel, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin combination chemotherapy in platinum- and paclitaxel-pretreated epithelial ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

This phase 2 trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of a combination of docetaxel, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin for platinum- and paclitaxel-pretreated epithelial ovarian cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Heavily pretreated patients (N = 30; median age, 61 years) received docetaxel, 55 mg/m2; gemcitabine, 500 mg/m2 (day 1); and oxaliplatin, 70 mg/m2 (day 2) biweekly. Twelve patients had platinum-sensitive disease, and 18 patients had platinum-resistant disease.

RESULTS

Median follow-up was 18.6 months. No differences in patient characteristics were observed between patients with carboplatinum-sensitive and carboplatinum-resistant disease. In patients with carboplatin-sensitive disease, an overall response (OR) of 83.3%, a progression-free survival of 10.6 months, and an overall survival of 18.9 months were observed. In patients with carboplatinum-resistant disease, an OR was seen in 38.9% with a progression-free survival of 5.3 months and an overall survival of 16.3 months. Patients with platinum-refractory disease (progression under previous carboplatinum therapy, n = 13) had an OR of 23%, whereas patients with objective response but relapse less than 6 months after carboplatinum therapy had an OR of 80.0%. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were only observed for anemia (6.7%), neutropenia (20.0%), thrombopenia, peripheral neuropathy, and diarrhea (16.7%). No neutropenic fever or treatment-related death occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with current standard protocols, a combination of docetaxel, gemcitabine, and oxaliplatin showed considerably higher efficacy without remarkable increased toxicity; particularly for patients with early relapse after a platinum-containing therapy.

Platinum compounds 30 years after the introduction of cisplatin: implications for the treatment of ovarian cancer

Cisplatin and carboplatin have dominated the drug therapy of ovarian cancer and other gynecologic malignancies during the past three decades. This review, based on a recent international conference on metal coordination compounds, highlights advances in our understanding of their mechanisms of action and resistance. Two emerging areas are of special importance: 1) the role of transporters and exporters (first identified in the regulation of copper) in imparting the special selectivity of platinum drugs (also including oxaliplatin) for specific tumors; and 2) the relevance of inactivated DNA repair pathways, and in particular those related to BRCA genes in determining sensitivity of tumors to platinum drugs. The status of DNA repair pathways may become relevant to response to platinums and to the treatment of ovarian cancer in general: repair inhibitors are under testing alone or in combination with cytotoxic drugs for cancer.

Mucinous ovarian cancer

Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC) accounts for approximately 10% of EOCs. Patients presenting with early-stage disease have an excellent prognosis, however, those with advanced disease have a poor outcome with relative resistance to standard ovarian cancer chemotherapy. Molecular and genetic studies demonstrate differences between mucinous and serous EOC supporting the concept that these tumors develop along separate pathways. Together with the observed differences in clinical behavior and outcome for mEOC, there is a need to develop specific therapeutic strategies for this histologic subtype. The relative rarity of advanced mEOC has resulted in few patients enrolled in major ovarian cancer trials. The results of such trials may not necessarily reflect those specific to mEOC. Separate trials testing alternative chemotherapeutics are required. Metastatic mucinous tumors from other sites such as the gastrointestinal tract may present with ovarian involvement. For all mucinous tumors of the ovary, establishing primary as opposed to metastatic cancers is important. Clinical presentation, tumor markers, histologic, and immunohistochemical features are helpful in distinguishing most cases.

Phase I clinical trial of oxaliplatin in children and adolescents with refractory solid tumors

PURPOSE

To evaluate the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), pharmacokinetics (PK), and adverse effect profile of oxaliplatin in pediatric patients with refractory solid tumors and to determine whether carbamazepine reduces oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Three regimens of oxaliplatin (given intravenously over 2 hours) were tested: regimen A (100 mg/m2, 130 mg/m2, or 160 mg/m2 every 3 weeks to determine the MTD of oxaliplatin); regimen B (to determine whether carbamazepine starting 24 hours before and ending 48 hours after oxaliplatin reduced the dose-limiting neurotoxicity and increased the MTD of regimen A); and regimen C (to evaluate the safety of a fixed dose two-thirds the MTD of regimen A given every 2 weeks [more frequent administration but comparable dose intensity]).

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients were enrolled on regimens A (n = 11), B (n = 6), and C (n = 9). The DLT was grade 3 pharyngolaryngeal dysesthesia, sensory neuropathy, and ataxia at 160 mg/m2. The MTD was 130 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. At the MTD, the median clearance rate of ultrafiltrable platinum was 9.7 L/h/m2 (range, 6.5 to 15.5 L/h/m2). Addition of carbamazepine permitted dose escalation to 160 mg/m2 without DLT. DLT was not observed with a fixed dose of 85 mg/m2 given every 2 weeks. On all regimens, hematologic toxicity was mild. No significant nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity, or cumulative neurologic toxicity was observed.

CONCLUSION

The DLT, MTD, PK, and adverse effect profile of oxaliplatin in pediatric patients with refractory solid tumors are similar to those observed in adults. Carbamazepine may reduce the dose-limiting neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin.

Oxaliplatin for the treatment of cisplatin-resistant cancer: A systematic review

Oxaliplatin is widely regarded as being active in cisplatin-resistant cancer. We undertook a systematic review of the literature to identify, describe and critique the clinical and pre-clinical evidence for the use of oxaliplatin in patients with "cisplatin-resistant" cancer. We identified 25 pre-clinical cell models of platinum resistance and 24 clinical trials reporting oxaliplatin based salvage therapy for cisplatin-resistant cancer. The pre-clinical data suggests that there is cross-resistance between cisplatin and oxaliplatin in low-level resistance models. In models with high level resistance (>10-fold) there is less cross-resistance between cisplatin and oxaliplatin, which may be a reason why oxaliplatin is thought to be active in cisplatin-resistant cancer. In clinical trials where oxaliplatin has been used as part of salvage therapy for patients who have failed cisplatin or carboplatin combination chemotherapy, there was a much lower response rate in patients with platinum-refractory or resistant cancers compared to platinum-sensitive cancers. This suggests that there may be cross-resistance between cisplatin and oxaliplatin in the clinic. Oxaliplatin as a single agent had a poor response rate in cisplatin refractory and resistant cancer. Oxaliplatin performed better in combination with other agents for the treatment of platinum-resistant/refractory cancer suggesting that the benefit of oxaliplatin may lie in its more favourable toxicity and ability to be combined with other drugs rather than an underlying activity in cisplatin resistance. Oxaliplatin therefore should not be considered broadly active in cisplatin-resistant cancer.

Phase II study of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer: an Australian and New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group study

Gemcitabine and oxaliplatin have shown single-agent activity in relapsed ovarian cancer. This combination was used to determine response rates, time-to-event efficacy measures, and toxicity in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. Patients with prior platinum-based chemotherapy who had measurable lesions and/or elevated CA-125 levels were identified as group A (platinum-refractory/platinum-resistant patients) and group B (platinum-sensitive patients). All patients received gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m(2) on day 8 every 21 days for up to eight cycles. Seventy-five patients (21 in group A and 54 in group B), with a median age of 58 years (range, 37-78), were enrolled. A median of six cycles (range, 1-8) was administered. By intent-to-treat analysis, 15 patients with measurable disease achieved partial response for an overall best response rate of 20.0% (9.5% in group A and 24.1% in group B). CA-125 response was observed in 48.4% patients (30.0% in group A and 57.1% in group B). Median time to progressive disease was 7.1 months (95% CI, 5.6-9.0 months) with 5.0 months in group A and 8.3 months in group B. Median overall survival was 17.8 months (95% CI, 12.9-21.3 months) with 9.2 months for group A and 20.0 months for group B. Major grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia (61.3%), leukopenia (24.0%), nausea (16.0%), and vomiting (22.7%). We conclude that the combination of oxaliplatin and gemcitabine is active in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, but the regimen is unsatisfactory for further study due to modest response and relatively high toxicity.

Clinical application of oxaliplatin in epithelial ovarian cancer

Platinum remains the most active drug class in ovarian cancer treatment; however, new single-agent and combination therapies are needed to improve the clinical outcome of ovarian cancer therapies. Oxaliplatin, a third-generation platinum derivative, has shown effective antitumor activity and a favorable toxicity profile in epithelial ovarian cancer. Preclinical evidence of the synergistic cytotoxic effect of oxaliplatin in combination with several other chemotherapeutic agents and clinical evidence of the absence of any dose-limiting hematologic toxicity associated with this agent have made oxaliplatin an attractive compound for combination agent therapy. This article reviews the current status of the clinical application of oxaliplatin alone and in a combination regimen in epithelial ovarian cancer treatment.

Oxaliplatin Induces a Delayed Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

We report a case of a 59-year-old woman with metastatic carcinoma of the ileocecal region who received FOLFOX(oxaliplatin/leucovorin/5-fluorouracil) and bevacizumab therapy and exhibited a partial remission with minimal side effects. She developed a mild self-limited episode of immune-mediated hemolytic anemia during her 16th cycle of chemotherapy, which precluded her from receiving further oxaliplatin. We review the literature on oxaliplatin-induced immune-mediated hemolysis, including its mechanism, presenting symptoms, laboratory features, management, and implications for future therapy.

Combination of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and oxaliplatin increases the growth inhibition and death in human colon cancer cells

The cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein is highly expressed in a variety of human cancers and has been reported to promote tumor growth. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as etodolac and celecoxib have been shown to inhibit COX-2 activity and may play a role in the chemoprevention of cancer. Oxaliplatin is a third-generation platinum compound that exhibits a different spectrum of activity compared with cisplatin. Other cisplatin-resistant tumors can still respond to oxaliplatin. However, the anticancer ability of the combination of COX-2 inhibitors and oxaliplatin is still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of combination of COX-2 inhibitors and oxaliplatin on the cell growth and survival in human colon cancer cells. Treatments with etodolac (0.3-0.5 mM) or celecoxib (20-80 microM) for 24 h concentration-dependently induced the cytotoxicity in the RKO colon carcinoma cells. Etodolac and celecoxib did not alter the COX-2 protein levels but inhibited its enzyme activity to reduce prostaglandin E2 production. Furthermore, the cell survival was concentration-dependently decreased following oxaliplatin (1-100 microM, 24 h) treatment. Combination of oxaliplatin and etodolac additively increased the death and growth inhibition of RKO cells. Survivin, an inhibitor protein of apoptosis, mediates anti-apoptosis and promotes cell division in cancer cells. Oxaliplatin or COX-2 inhibitors significantly decreased the levels of survivin proteins. Moreover, survivin proteins were markedly diminished following co-treatment with oxaliplatin and etodolac. Together, this is the first report that combination of COX-2 inhibitors and oxaliplatin can increase the reduction of survivin protein expression, growth inhibition, and death in human colon cancer cells.

Advanced stage mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer: the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group experience

OBJECTIVE

Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC) representing about 10% of all EOC are known to be possibly resistant to platinum-based chemotherapy and bear a poorer prognosis with respect to other subtypes of EOC. This study was undertaken to compare response and survival to platinum-based chemotherapy between patients with advanced stages III and IV mEOC and serous EOC (sEOC).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed in 47 patients with advanced stage of mEOC treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy in the context of several study protocols of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG) between 6/7/1983 and 25/2/2003. The outcome was compared to that of 94 patients with sEOC treated with the same protocols during the same study period (ratio mucinous: serous 1:2).

RESULTS

One hundred forty-one patients (47 stages III and IV mEOC, 94 stages III and IV sEOC) treated with platinum-based chemotherapy were analyzed. The overall response rate for mEOC was 38.5% (complete remission 18%) (95% CI 23.4-55.4%) and 70% (complete remission 47%) (95% CI 58.5-80.3%) for sEOC (P = 0.001). After a median follow-up of 77.8 months, median survival and time to tumor progression (TTP) were not significantly different between the two groups (33.2 months [95% CI 23.3-43.1 months] vs. 38.0 months [95% CI 26.8-49.2 months], P = 0.46, 11.8 months [95% CI 7.2-16.4 months] vs. 20.0 months [95% CI 15.7-24.2 months], P = 0.18, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Patients with mEOC have significantly lower response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy compared to patients with sEOC. This low response to platinum-based chemotherapy was not translated in inferior TTP or survival. Our data indicate that a new strategy for chemotherapy in mEOC should be adopted, one that focuses on new agents without cross-resistance to platinum agents.