Histopathologic assessment of chemotherapy effects in epithelial ovarian cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and delayed primary surgical debulking

The Immune Response of Cancer Cells in Breast and Gynecologic Neoplasms

Cancer diseases constitute a major health problem which leads to the death of millions of people annually. They are unique among other diseases because cancer cells can perfectly adapt to the environment that they create themselves. This environment is usually highly hostile and for normal cells it would be hugely difficult to survive, however neoplastic cells not only can survive but also manage to proliferate. One of the reasons is that they can alter immunological pathways which allow them to be flexible and change their phenotype to the one needed in specific conditions. The aim of this paper is to describe some of these immunological pathways that play significant roles in gynecologic neoplasms as well as review recent research in this field. It is of high importance to possess extensive knowledge about these processes, as greater understanding leads to creating more specialized therapies which may prove highly effective in the future.

Critical Analysis of Advanced High-Grade Serous Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in Women: An Experience of 100 Cases from a Regional Cancer Center in Northeast India

Debabrata BarmonOvarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide. Patients with ovarian carcinoma mostly present at an advanced stage with serous type of epithelial ovarian cancers, which is the most lethal of all pelvic malignancies. This study aims to critically analyze high-grade serous epithelial ovarian carcinomas in women from the Northeastern region of India and compare our data with Western literature to modify treatment strategies and improve survival outcomes. This hospital-based retrospective analysis involved data from the records of 100 women with high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer treated primarily with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery in the department of gynecologic oncology at a tertiary level regional cancer institute from January 2018 to December 2019. The demographic, clinical and pathological profile, and survival outcome were evaluated using descriptive statistics. The overall survival of the study population was calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves using SPSS software (version 24). The majority of women belonged to 41 to 55 years age group. At first presentation to the hospital, 89 and11% patients were in stage III and stage IV of disease, respectively. Clinically, 95% of women had ascites, and 18% had metastasis to lymph nodes. Distant metastasis to lungs and liver was present in 10 and 3% of cases, respectively. A substantial percentage (98%) of women had raised serum Ca125 > 1000 at baseline, ranging from 1,745 to 10,987 IU/mL. Almost two-thirds of the cases had partial-to-complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (78%). In most of the women (72%), there was no residual disease at interval debulking surgery (R0), though 28% women had R1& R2 resection. The median overall survival time was 36 months. High-grade serous ovarian cancer is commonly seen in older age group, but its occurrence in younger population has also been observed. Early diagnosis is crucial in decreasing morbidity and mortality among these patients. Therefore, efforts should be made to identify risk factors for malignancy. Assessing each parameter of statistical information reflecting its own profile may be important for calculating the risk for the development of ovarian cancer, which can help in implementing preventive measures in the future.

Cancer-mesothelial and cancer-macrophage interactions in the ovarian cancer microenvironment

The metastatic ovarian cancer microenvironment is characterized by an intricate interaction network between cancer cells and host cells. This complex heterotypic cancer-host cell crosstalk results in an environment that promotes cancer cell metastasis and treatment resistance, leading to poor patient prognosis and survival. In this review, we focus on two host cell types found in the ovarian cancer microenvironment: mesothelial cells and tumor-associated macrophages. Mesothelial cells make up the protective lining of organs in the abdominal cavity. Cancer cells attach and invade through the mesothelial monolayer to form metastatic lesions. Crosstalk between mesothelial and cancer cells can contribute to metastatic progression and chemotherapy resistance. Tumor-associated macrophages are the most abundant immune cell type in the ovarian cancer microenvironment with heterogeneous subpopulations exhibiting protumor or antitumor functions. Macrophage reprogramming toward a protumor or antitumor state can be influenced by chemotherapy and communication with cancer cells, resulting in cancer cell invasion and treatment resistance. A better understanding of cancer-mesothelial and cancer-macrophage crosstalk will uncover biomarkers of metastatic progression and therapeutic targets to restore chemotherapy sensitivity.

Visual Peritoneal Evaluation of Residual Disease After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patients: The VIPER Study

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy induces histopathological tumor necrosis and fibrosis which results in macroscopic tissue changes, making surgeons' intraoperative visual evaluation of the disease distribution more difficult to interpret. The aim of the study was to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of intraoperative laparoscopic visual evaluation of the diaphragmatic peritoneum and compare it with histopathological examination.

METHODS

Patients receiving diaphragmatic peritonectomy at time of IDS were retrospectively included. The population was grouped based on the surgeon's assessment of the diaphragmatic peritoneum during diagnostic laparoscopy. Group 1 included patients with a "visually pathologic" diaphragmatic peritoneum, and group 2 included patients with a "visually dubious" diaphragmatic peritoneum. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and accuracy were calculated considering the final formalin-fixed pathology as the reference standard.

RESULTS

155 patients were included (92 in group 1 and 63 in group 2). The accuracy rate of visual examination was 67.1%, the negative predictive value was 19%, specificity was 100%, and sensitivity was 64.3%.

CONCLUSION

NACT strongly affects the ability of the surgeon to discern between peritoneal scars and truly pathologic peritoneum. The diaphragmatic laparoscopic visual examination showed a low overall accuracy. We propose an algorithm that can guide the surgeon towards a more tailored approach to diaphragmatic peritonectomy during IDS.

Chemotherapy Response Score in Ovarian Cancer Patients: An Overview of Its Clinical Utility

The chemotherapy response score has been developed over the last few years as a predictive index of survival outcomes for patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer undergoing interval debulking surgery. While its importance in predicting patients at risk of developing recurrences earlier seems to be important, its accuracy in determining patients with a shorter overall survival remains arbitrary. Moreover, standardization of the actual scoring system that was initially developed as a 6-tiered score and adopted as a 3-tiered score is still needed, as several studies suggest that a 2-tiered system is preferable. Given its actual importance in detecting patients with shorter progression-free survival, research should also focus on the actual predictive value of determining patients with platinum resistance, as a suboptimal patient response to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy might help determine patients at risk of an earlier recurrence. In the present review, we summarize current knowledge retrieved from studies addressing outcomes related to the chemotherapy response score in epithelial ovarian cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and discuss differences in outcome reporting to help provide directions for further research.

Blocking CD47-SIRPα Signal Axis as Promising Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer

Among the three primary gynecological malignancies, ovarian cancer has the lowest incidence but the worst prognosis. Because of the poor prognosis of ovarian cancer patients treated with existing treatments, immunotherapy is emerging as a potentially ideal alternative to surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Among immunotherapies, immune checkpoint inhibitors have been the most thoroughly studied, and many drugs have been successfully used in the clinic. CD47, a novel immune checkpoint, provides insights into ovarian cancer immunotherapy. This review highlights the mechanisms of tumor immune evasion via CD47-mediated inhibition of phagocytosis and provides a comprehensive insight into the progress of the relevant targeted agents in ovarian cancer.

Role of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Ovarian Serous Cancer Followed by Debulking

Background: Ovarian cancers are one of the most common gynecological cancers and serous tumor is one of the most common histological form of extrauterine female genital tract tumors. While ovarian serous carcinoma is a well-studied human gynecologic malignancy, this high-grade tumor remains lethal.

Case description: A 50-year-old female with P2L2A2 (Para-2, Live-2, Abortion-2) presented with pain in the abdomen for six months. Investigations were done, which revealed bilateral large ovarian cystic lesion suggestive of ovarian malignancy. She underwent six cycles of chemotherapy followed by exploratory laparotomy.

Objective: We examined the precipitating factors, laboratory abnormalities including cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels, treatment strategies including neoadjuvant therapy and debulking surgery, and clinical recovery in ovarian malignancy.

Conclusion: Primary debulking surgery (PDS), although the preferred treatment for ovarian cancer, is accompanied by combination chemotherapy based on platinum. However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) has gained a reputation as a legitimate therapeutic technique specifically for patients with stage IV unresectable bulky tumors or poor general condition. Treatment with NACT is now expected to become a routine treatment or a successful treatment choice for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Where you live matters: A National Cancer Database study of Medicaid expansion and endometrial cancer outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To determine associations between adoption of Medicaid expansion (ME) and changes in insurance status, early stage diagnosis, and cancer survival among women with endometrial carcinoma (EC).

METHODS

The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients diagnosed with EC between the age 40-64 from 2004 to 2015. Difference-in-differences analysis quantified the impact of ME on the proportion of new EC diagnoses with insurance (vs. uninsured), the proportion diagnosed with stage I (vs. II-IV), and overall survival.

RESULTS

156,253 patients were included. Among 65,019 women living in ME states, ME is associated with an increase in the percent of EC cases who are insured of 1.4% (95% CI 0.9-2.0%, p < 0.0001), with strongest effects among Hispanic women, women in the lowest income quartile, and women in the second age quartile (age 53-57). There was no overall impact of ME on stage, though an increase of early stage diagnoses by 2.4% (95% CI 0.3-4.5%, p = 0.022) was observed among women age 53-57. There was a trend towards improved overall survival with ME, which was strongest in women age 53-57 (HR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.70-0.99, p = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Among women with EC, ME positively impacted insurance coverage, an important hurdle in accessing health care. In women aged 53-57, ME was associated with earlier stage at diagnosis and improved survival, suggesting that the magnitude of the improvement in insurance coverage may correlate with important clinical outcomes. Efforts should continue to understand the complexity of barriers to health care access and to develop effective strategies to surmount them.

Early Assessment of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with 18F-FDG-PET/CT in Patients with Advanced-Stage Ovarian Cancer

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of sequential ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT) after one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to predict chemotherapy response before interval debulking surgery (IDS) in advanced-stage ovarian cancer patients.

Materials and Methods

Forty consecutive patients underwent ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT at baseline and after one cycle of NAC. Metabolic responses were assessed by quantitative decrease in the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) with PET/CT. Decreases in SUV_max were compared with cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) level before IDS, response rate by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria before IDS, residual tumor at IDS, and I chemotherapy response score (CRS) at IDS.

Results

A 40% cut-off for the decrease in SUV_max provided the best performance to predict CRS 3 (compete or near-complete pathologic response), with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 81.8%, 72.4%, and 72.4%, respectively. According to this 40% cut-off, there were 17 (42.5%) metabolic responders (≥ 40%) and 23 (57.5%) metabolic non-responders (< 40%). Metabolic responders had higher rate of CRS 3 (52.9% vs. 8.7%, p=0.003), CA-125 normalization (< 35 U/mL) before IDS (76.5% vs. 39.1%, p=0.019), and no residual tumor at IDS (70.6% vs. 31.8%, p=0.025) compared with metabolic non-responders. There were significant associations with progression-free survival (p=0.021) between metabolic responders and non-responders, but not overall survival (p=0.335).

Conclusion

Early assessment with ¹⁸F-FDG-PET/CT after one cycle of NAC can be useful to predic response to chemotherapy before IDS in patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer.

Pathologic chemotherapy response score in epithelial ovarian cancer: Surgical, genetic, and survival considerations

OBJECTIVE

A pathologic chemotherapy response score (CRS) is used to grade ovarian cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). We evaluated the prognostic significance of the CRS in a single institution cohort.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all consecutive epithelial ovarian cancer patients undergoing interval debulking surgery (IDS) after NACT from 2016 to 2017 were included. Clinical, pathologic, surgical, outcomes, and genetic data were abstracted from medical records. CRS was assigned by pathology based on a section of omentum as follows: 1 = minimal response, 2 = moderate response, and 3 = near complete response.

RESULTS

Among the 50 subjects, 14 (28%) were classified as CRS1, 29 (58%) as CRS2, and 7 (14%) as CRS3. The majority of patients were diagnosed with high grade serous histology (94%). Most women in this cohort underwent either an optimal or complete cytoreduction to no gross residual disease (96%). Women in the CRS2 group were most likely to have a pathogenic variant (51.7%) while those in the CRS1 were least likely (7.1%). Most women recurred regardless of CRS. CRS was not associated with progression-free survival (log-rank p = 0.82) or overall survival (log-rank p = 0.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Though previous data support the use of CRS as a prognostic indicator, we failed to show a correlation between CRS and survival in our continuous single institution cohort. The high rate of optimal debulking across all CRS groups in this study may mitigate the prognostic significance of the scoring system. Nevertheless, tumors that respond poorly to traditional chemotherapy should remain of avid interest for potential novel therapies.

Essentials for Pathological Evaluation of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies and Synoptic Reporting of Cytoreductive Surgery Specimens-A review and evidence-based guide

Peritoneal surface oncology has emerged as a subspecialty of surgical oncology, with the growing popularity of surgical treatment of peritoneal metastases comprising of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Pathological evaluation plays a key role in multidisciplinary management but there are still many areas where there are no guidelines or consensus on reporting. Some tumors presenting to a peritoneal surface oncology unit are rare and pathologists my not be familiar with diagnosing and classifying those. In this manuscript, we have reviewed the evidence regarding various aspects of histopathological evaluation of peritoneal tumors. It includes establishing a diagnosis, appropriate classification and staging of common and rare tumors and evaluation of pathological response to chemotherapy. In many instances, the information captured is of prognostic value alone with no direct therapeutic implications. But proper capturing of such information is vital for generating evidence that will guide future treatment trends and research. There are no guidelines/data set for reporting cytoreductive surgery specimens. Based on the authors' experience, a format for handling/grossing and synoptic reporting of these specimens is provided.

Ovarian High-Grade Serous Carcinoma: Assessing Pathology for Site of Origin, Staging and Post-neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Changes

High-grade serous (HGSC) stands apart from the other ovarian cancer histotypes in being the most frequent, in occurring as part of a genetic predisposition in a significant proportion of cases, and in having the poorest clinical outcomes. Although the pathologic diagnosis of HGSC is now made with high accuracy, there remain areas of disagreement regarding viewpoints on tissue site of origin and designation of primary site, with impact on staging in low-stage cases, as well as difficulties in reproducible and clinically relevant reporting of HGSC in specimens taken after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. These areas are discussed in the current article.

Pathological Chemotherapy Response Score in Patients Affected by High Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma: The Prognostic Role of Omental and Ovarian Residual Disease

Background: The chemotherapy response score (CRS) has emerged as a simple and reproducible histopathological grading system for assessing chemotherapy response in patients affected by ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic impact of histological tumor response in ovarian and omental surgical specimens from patients with advanced stage ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma.

Study Design: A cohort of 161 women were identified from the database of Department of Gynecology, “Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS” of Rome, Italy between January 2014 and December 2017 with a follow-up of 65 months. All the omentum, the ovarian tissue and peritoneal samples, defined as “other sites,” were reviewed by gynecological pathologists to assign a CRS of 1–3 to the omentum and ovarian sites and a score of 0–1 to the peritoneal tissue. The Cox proportional hazards regression and the log-rank test were used to assess the survival pattern and the prognostic value of the CRS adjusting for age and stage. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to estimate the progression free and overall survival.

Results: The evaluation of adnexal disease showed significant differences in PFS, both in univariate and in multivariate analyses. On PFS univariate analysis, ovCRS1 vs. ovCRS3: HR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.37–3.77; p = 0.001; ovCRS2 vs. ovCRS3: HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.03–3.23; p = 0.04, and on PFS multivariate model ovCRS1 vs. ovCRS3; HR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.5–4.24; p = 0.001 and ovCRS2 vs. ovCRS3; HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.08–3.37; p = 0.03. Regarding the omental residual disease, as expected, CRS showed a significant prognostic value for OS and PFS; in detail the median PFS of patients with CRS1, 2 and 3 was 15, 15, and 22 months, respectively, the median OS was 41 and >50 months, respectively. Moreover, the univariate analysis for OS suggested that in our cohort the “other sites” score of 0 was significantly associated with an improvement in overall survival compared to score 1.

Conclusions: We demonstrated for the first time the prognostic significance of adnexal CRS confirming also the prognostic role of omental CRS.

Pathological assessment of cytoreductive surgery specimens and its unexplored prognostic potential-a prospective multi-centric study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The grade/histological subtype is one of the most important prognostic markers in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS). Our aim was to study other potential prognostic information that can be derived from the pathological evaluation of CRS specimens and provide a broad outline for evaluation of these.

METHODS

This prospective study (July to December 2018) included all patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS). A protocol for pathological evaluation was laid down which was based on existing practices at the participating centers and included evaluation of the pathological PCI, regional node involvement, response to chemotherapy, morphology of peritoneal metastases (PM) and distribution in the peritoneal cavity.

RESULTS

In 191 patients undergoing CRS at 4 centers, the pathological and surgical PCI differed in over 75%. Nodes in relation to peritoneal disease were positive in 13.6%. Disease in normal peritoneum adjacent to tumor nodules was seen in >50% patients with ovarian cancer and mucinous apppendiceal tumors. 23.8% of evaluated colorectal PM patients had a complete response and 25.0% ovarian cancer patients had a near complete pathological response to chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathological evaluation of extent and distribution of peritoneal disease differs from the surgical evaluation in majority of the patients. Lymph node involvement in relation of peritoneal disease is common. The morphological presentation of PM in ovarian cancer and mucinous appendiceal tumors merits evaluation of more extensive resections in these patients. Standardized methods of synoptic reporting of CRS specimens could help capture vital prognostic information that may in future influence how these patients are treated.

Neoadjuvant therapy in gynaecological malignancies: What pathologists need to know

In recent times, there has been a growing tendency to treat advanced gynaecological malignancies with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), with the goal of reducing tumour volume and enhancing operability resulting in optimal cytoreduction. This approach is used in particular for patients with advanced high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary, fallopian tube or peritoneum. Pathology plays a crucial role in the management of these patients, both before and after NACT. Prior to initiation of NACT, a biopsy should be performed, usually of the omental cake, to confirm that a malignancy is present, to identify the site of origin of the tumour and to type and grade the tumour. Histopathologists must be aware of the resultant morphological effects of NACT when examining specimens following interval cytoreduction surgery. Tumour typing and grading, and even the identification of residual neoplasia, are particular challenges. Immunohistochemistry, when used judiciously, can be a useful adjunct in certain scenarios. A pathological assessment of the response to chemotherapy, and the pathological stage should be provided in the pathology report, as these may inform prognosis and subsequent management. We present a comprehensive overview of the relevant clinical and pathological aspects pertaining to NACT for gynaecological malignancies for the practicing surgical pathologist.

Bowel resection rate but not bowel related morbidity is decreased after interval debulking surgery compared to primary surgery in patents with stage IIIC-IV ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

To assess the morbidity associate with rectosigmoid resection (RSR) in patients with stage IIIC-IV ovarian cancer (OC) undergone primary debulking surgery (PDS) vs. interval debulking surgery (IDS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

METHODS

From the Oxford Advanced OC database, we retrieved all patients who underwent surgery between January 2009 and July 2016 and included all patients who underwent RSR. We compared the rates of overall related and not-related morbidity and bowel diversion in patients undergone RSR during PDS vs. IDS.

RESULTS

Three hundred and seventy-one patients underwent surgery: 126 in PDS group and 245 in IDS group. Fifty-two patients in the PDS group (41.3%) and 65 patients in IDS group (26.5%) underwent RSR (p<0.001). Overall not related morbidity rate was 37.5% and 28.6%, p=0.625. Bowel specific complications affected 16.3% vs. 11.1% of the patients (p=0.577). IDS group had higher rate of bowel diversion compared with PDS (46.0% vs. 26.5%, p=0.048).

CONCLUSION

NACT was associated to an overall reduced rate of RSR compared to IDS. No differences in overall related and not-related complications in patients requiring RSR were seen between the 2 groups. Patients in the IDS group had a significantly higher rate of bowel diversion.

Prognostic implications of histological tumor regression (Böhm's score) in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for high grade serous tubal & ovarian carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Primary objective of this study was to determine prognostic significance of Bohm's histopathological regression score in patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for treatment of high grade serous (HGS) tubal & ovarian carcinoma.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who received NACT between 2010 and 2015. The 3 point histopathological regression score of Böhm was used to classify chemotherapy response. Survival outcomes between the 3 different subgroups was analysed and compared with standard clinico-pathological variables using the Cox proportional hazards model and log-rank test.

RESULTS

Study cohort comprised 111 patients. Chemotherapy response score (CRS) 3 was observed in 47 (42.4%) and CRS 1and CRS 2 in 22 (19.8%) and 42 (37.8%) women respectively. Women with CRS score of 1 and 2 combined showed a three-fold increased risk of progression on both univariate and multivariate assessment (HR 3.54; C.I 2.19-5.72, p < 0.001). The median overall survival for patients with CRS 1 was 34 months, CRS 2 was 30 months and 47 months for CRS 3. CRS 1 and 2 combined was the only variable that held significance in prediction of reduced overall survival on multivariate assessment (HR 3.26, C.I 1.91-5.54, p 0.0006). CRS 1 and 2 were also associated with 5.15-fold increased risk of relapse within 6 months of completion of chemotherapy (Odds ratio OR 5.15, C.I 0.07-0.47, p - 0.002).

CONCLUSION

CRS is an independent prognosticator of survival and reliable predictor of relapse within 6 months in advanced high grade serous tubal and ovarian carcinoma patients receiving NACT.

A predictive score for optimal cytoreduction at interval debulking surgery in epithelial ovarian cancer: a two- centers experience

Background

Optimal cytoreduction (macroscopic Residual Tumor, RT = 0) is the best survival predictor factor in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). It doesn’t exist a consolidated criteria to predict optimal surgical resection at interval debulking surgery (IDS). The aim of this study is to develop a predictive model of complete cytoreduction at IDS.

Methods

We, retrospectively, analyzed 93 out of 432 patients, with advanced EOC, underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and IDS from January 2010 to December 2016 in two referral cancer centers. The correlation between clinical-pathological variables and residual disease at IDS has been investigated with univariate and multivariate analysis. A predictive score of cytoreduction (PSC) has been created by combining all significant variables. The performance of each single variable and PSC has been reported and the correlation of all significant variables with progression free survival (PFS) has been assessed.

Results

At IDS, 65 patients (69,8%) had complete cytoreduction with no residual disease (R = 0). Three criteria independently predicted R > 0: age ≥ 60 years (p = 0.014), CA-125 before NACT > 550 UI/dl (p = 0.044), and Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) > 16 (p < 0.001). A PSC ≥ 3 has been associated with a better accuracy (85,8%), limiting the number of incomplete surgeries to 16,5%. Moreover, a PCI > 16, a PSC ≥ 3 and the presence of R > 0 after IDS were all significantly associated with shorter PFS (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.004 respectively).

Conclusions

Our PSC predicts, in a large number of patients, complete cytoreduction at IDS, limiting the rate of futile extensive surgeries in case of presence of residual tumor (R > 0). The PSC should be prospectively validated in a larger series of EOC patients undergoing NACT-IDS.

Patterns of Recurrence and Clinical Outcome of Patients With Stage IIIC to Stage IV Epithelial Ovarian Cancer in Complete Response After Primary Debulking Surgery Plus Chemotherapy or Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Interval Debulking Surgery: An Italian Multicenter Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical outcome of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer in complete response after primary debulking surgery (PDS) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS]).

METHODS

The authors reviewed the hospital records of 384 patients who underwent PDS (n = 322) or IDS (n = 62) and who were in complete response after primary treatment.

RESULTS

Optimal (residual disease [RD] < 1 cm) and complete (no gross RD) cytoreduction rates were higher after IDS than after PDS (71.0% vs 55.9%; P = 0.001 and 51.6% vs 35.7%, respectively; P = 0.02). Tumor recurred in 73.0% of the 322 complete responders after PDS versus 87.1% of the 62 complete responders after IDS (P = 0.01). The IDS group showed a higher recurrence rate within 6 months (11.3% vs 3.1%: P = 0.01) and a trend to higher recurrence rate between 6 and 12 months (30.6% vs 19.9%). Tumor recurred in 57.4% of the 115 completely cytoreduced patients after PDS versus 87.5% of the 32 completely cytoreduced patients after IDS (P = 0.001). The IDS group showed a trend to higher recurrence rate within 6 months (6.2% vs 1.7%) and a higher recurrence rate between 6 and 12 months (37.5% vs 15.6%; P = 0.01). Two-year, 5-year, and 7-year progression-free survival were 65.8%, 40.8%, and 39.3% for completely cytoreduced patients after PDS versus 43.8%, 12.5%, and 12.5% for completely cytoreduced patients after IDS (P = 0.001); and 2-year, 5-year, and 7-year overall survival were 96.4%, 69.3%, and 50.4% for the former versus 87.1%, 41.8%, and 32.6% for the latter (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical outcome of completely cytoreduced patients was significantly better for PDS group than for IDS group, and therefore, the achievement of no gross RD after surgery seemed to have a different prognostic relevance for the 2 groups.

External validation of chemotherapy response score system for histopathological assessment of tumor regression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma

Objective

The chemotherapy response score (CRS) system based on histopathological examination has been recently proposed for tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) to assess response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). This study was aimed at validating the CRS system in an external cohort of tubo-ovarian HGSC patients.

Methods

This study included 110 tubo-ovarian HGSC patients who underwent NAC followed by interval debulking surgery. The 3-tiered CRS of the omental and adnexal tissue sections was determined by 3 independent pathologists. Differences in patient outcomes according to CRS were analyzed.

Results

The CRS system was highly reproducible among the 3 pathologists. Fleiss' kappa value and Kendall's coefficient of concordance for the omental CRS were 0.656 and 0.669, respectively. The omental CRS significantly predicted progression-free survival (PFS). The median PFS of patients whose tumors exhibited the omental CRS 1–2 (15 months) was significantly shorter than that of patients with an omental CRS of 3 (19 months; p=0.016). In addition, after adjusting for age, stage, and debulking status, the omental CRS was an independent prognostic factor for PFS of tubo-ovarian HGSC patients who were treated with NAC (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]=1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.05–2.87).

Conclusion

The CRS system for assessing NAC response was a reproducible prognostic tool in our cohort. The application of the CRS system after NAC can improve survival estimation in HGSC patients.

Prognostic Role of Histological Tumor Regression in Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for High-Grade Serous Tubo-ovarian Carcinoma

Objective

Our objective was to validate the prognostic role of the chemotherapy response score (CRS), which has been proposed for measuring tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with high-grade serous tubo-ovarian carcinoma, in predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients with advanced high-grade serous tubo-ovarian carcinoma diagnosed between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2014, and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Treatment-related tumor regression was determined according to the 3-tier CRS, and results were compared with standard clinicopathological variables. Survival analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards models and the log-rank test.

Results

Seventy-one patients were eligible for analysis. Median OS was 25.5 months. Fifty-eight patients (82%) had disease recurrence and 32 (45%) had died at study census. Of the 71 patients, 19, 29, and 23 patients had a CRS of 1, 2, and 3, respectively. On univariate analysis, the CRS significantly predicted PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 3.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.83–7.78; P = 0.000) and OS (HR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.16–6.79; P = 0.022). In a multivariate model, the CRS was significantly associated with PFS (HR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.16–6.79; P = 0.022) but not with OS (HR, 2.39; 95% CI, 0.47–3.08; P = 0.079). Patients with CRS of 1 and 2 combined were twice as likely to progress during the study period compared with patients with a CRS of 3 (HR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.06–3.78; P = 0.032; median PFS, 16 vs 26 months). No significant association was observed for OS (CRS 1/2 vs 3; HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.68–3.65; P = 0.291).

Conclusions

In this study, the CRS showed independent prognostic significance for PFS but not for OS.

Primary Surgery or Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: The Debate Continues…

Primary debulking surgery (PDS) followed by platinum-based chemotherapy has been the cornerstone of treatment for advanced ovarian cancer for decades. Primary debulking surgery has been repeatedly identified as one of the key factors in improving survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, especially when minimal or no residual disease is left behind. Achieving these results sometimes requires extensive abdominal and pelvic surgical procedures and consultation with other surgical teams. Some clinicians who propose a primary chemotherapy approach reported an increased likelihood of leaving no macroscopic disease after surgery and improved patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life (QOL) measures. Given the ongoing debate regarding the relative benefit of PDS versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), tumor biology may aid in patient selection for each approach. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy offers the opportunity for in vivo chemosensitivity testing. Studies are needed to determine the best way to evaluate the impact of NACT in each individual patient with advanced ovarian cancer. Indeed, the biggest utility of NACT may be in research, where this approach provides the opportunity for the investigation of predictive markers, mechanisms of resistance, and a forum to test novel therapies.

18F-FDG-PET/CT can identify histopathological non-responders to platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the reduction of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) in 18F-FDG-PET/CT to histopathological changes obtained with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We wanted to evaluate whether 18F-FDG-PET/CT is useful for identifying patients who will not respond to NACT and would therefore benefit from second-line chemotherapy instead of interval debulking surgery (IDS).

METHODS

Twenty-six primarily inoperable EOC patients treated with NACT were enrolled in this study. 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging was performed before diagnostic laparoscopy and after three to four NACT cycles. The relationship between the decrease in omental SUVmax from before to after NACT with omental histopathological response was examined in samples taken from the corresponding anatomical sites during IDS. Patients were divided into three groups according to chemotherapy-induced histopathological changes. Serum CA125 and HE4 halftimes during NACT as well as Ki-67 antigen expression in IDS samples were determined.

RESULTS

The median omental SUVmax change during NACT was -64% (range-16% to -84%), and it was associated with histopathological response (p=0.004, OR 0.9, CI 0.84-0.97). A SUVmax decrease of less than 57% identified histopathological non-responders. Progression-free survival (PFS) differed between the poor, moderate and good histopathological response groups (0.9 year vs. 1.2 years vs. 1.4 years, respectively, p=0.05). The SUVmax change was not associated with PFS.

CONCLUSION

18F-FDG-PET/CT was able to identify patients who would not respond to NACT. To obtain a histopathological response in EOC, a substantial metabolic response in 18F-FDG-PET/CT is necessary.

Data set for reporting of ovary, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal carcinoma: recommendations from the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR)

A comprehensive pathological report is essential for optimal patient management, cancer staging and prognostication. In many countries, proforma reports are used but these vary in their content. The International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting (ICCR) is an alliance formed by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia, the Royal College of Pathologists of the United Kingdom, the College of American Pathologists, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and the European Society of Pathology, with the aim of developing an evidence-based reporting data set for each cancer site. This will reduce the global burden of cancer data set development and reduplication of effort by different international institutions that commission, publish and maintain standardised cancer reporting data sets. The resultant standardisation of cancer reporting will benefit not only those countries directly involved in the collaboration but also others not in a position to develop their own data sets. We describe the development of a cancer data set by the ICCR expert panel for the reporting of primary ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal carcinoma and present the 'required' and 'recommended' elements to be included in the report with an explanatory commentary. This data set encompasses the recent International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists staging system for these neoplasms and the updated World Health Organisation Classification of Tumours of the Female Reproductive Organs. The data set also addresses issues about site assignment of the primary tumour in high-grade serous carcinomas and proposes a scoring system for the assessment of tumour response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The widespread implementation of this data set will facilitate consistent and accurate data collection, comparison of epidemiological and pathological parameters between different populations, facilitate research and hopefully will result in improved patient management.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in gynaecological cancers - Implications for staging

The management of advanced gynaecological cancers remains a therapeutic challenge. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been used to reduce tumour size, thus facilitating subsequent local treatment in the form of surgery or radiation. For advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, data from several non-randomized and one randomized studies indicate that neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery is a reasonable approach in patients deemed inoperable. Such an approach results in optimum debulking (no visible tumour) in approximately 40% of the patients with reduced operative morbidity. Overall and progression free-survival is comparable to the group treated with primary debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery is associated with improved survival for women with stage IB2-IIA cervix cancer. There is a resurgence of interest for using short-course neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to concurrent chemo-radiation. Currently, this is being tested in randomized trials.

Prognostic role and predictors of complete pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in primary unresectable ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to analyze in a large series of unresectable advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients the prognostic role of pathological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively evaluated 322 unresectable AOC patients treated with NACT followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS). Pathological response was classified as follows: complete (cPR) in the absence of residual disease, microscopic (microPR) in the presence of microscopic tumor foci (maximum diameter ≤3 mm), and macroscopic (macroPR) when macroscopic residual disease was detected.

RESULTS

cPR was observed in 21 (6.5%), microPR in 104 (32.3%), and macroPR in 197 (61.2%) patients. No differences were observed in the distribution of baseline clinicopathological characteristics between the groups. Median progression-free survival was 36 months in cPR, 16 in microPR, and 13 in macroPR (P = .001). Median overall survival was 72 months in cPR, 38 in microPR, and 29 in macroPR (P = .018). The survival differences between microPR and macroPR patients were not confirmed when the analysis included only cases resected to no gross residual disease at IDS. cPR retained the independent prognostic role in the multivariate analysis. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IV was the only negative independent predictor of cPR (χ(2) = 5.362, P = .021).

CONCLUSION

cPR is an uncommon event in AOC patients receiving NACT and is associated with a longer progression-free survival and overall survival compared with women showing no cPR, even in patients receiving IDS with no gross residual disease. The proposed classification of pathological response may serve in the next future as an easily assessable and highly valuable prognostic tool in this clinical setting.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer: latest results and place in therapy

Approximately 70% of women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are diagnosed with advanced stage disease, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The standard approach to treating patients with advanced EOC remains primary debulking surgery (PDS) followed by chemotherapy. EOC is one of the most sensitive of all solid tumors to cytotoxic drugs, with over 80% of women showing a response to standard chemotherapy combined with taxane and platinum. Furthermore, residual disease is a major prognostic factor for survival. On the basis of the clinical features, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) is considered to be an alternative treatment option to standard treatment in patients unable to undergo complete resection during PDS. Noninferiority of NACT-IDS to PDS has been demonstrated in some randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses. NACT would also lead to improved quality of life (QOL) of patients, however there are still problems to be solved in the treatment strategy. The uncertainty of perioperative visual assessment of tumor dissemination after NACT has been reported. In addition, several papers have shown the possibility that NACT induces platinum resistance. Furthermore, a notable risk associated with NACT is that patients with significant side effects and refractory disease will lose the opportunity for debulking surgery. Appropriate selection of the patient cohort for NACT is an important issue. Bevacizumab (Bev) is active in patients with advanced EOC. However, the use of Bev is not recommended in the neoadjuvant setting. Bev has a specific adverse event profile that needs to be considered, especially for surgical management, such as gastrointestinal perforation, hemorrhage, and thromboembolic events. NACT could be an alternative treatment option in patients with stage III or IV EOC. However, further studies are needed to clarify the precise role of NACT in the management of advanced EOC.

Role of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy (NACT) Followed by Surgical Cytoreduction in Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To study the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by surgical cytoreduction in the management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancers.

METHODS

A prospective hospital based study of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancers (stage III and IV) was conducted at Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad during August 2008 to August 2010. Total 50 patients were treated with NACT followed by surgical cytoreduction and followed up till August 2010. Response to NACT, optimal cytoreduction rate and overall response rate were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 43 patients (86%) with stage III disease and 7 (14%) with stage IV disease. All patients were given NACT and after NACT, complete response occurred in 17 patients (34%), 27 (54%) had partial response. Optimal surgical cytoreduction could be achieved in 36(72%) of the patients. The median follow up was 19 months.

CONCLUSIONS

NACT followed by surgical cytoreduction is a promising treatment strategy for the management of advanced epithelial ovarian cancers.

The CD47-SIRPα pathway in cancer immune evasion and potential therapeutic implications

Multiple lines of investigation have demonstrated that the immune system plays an important role in preventing tumor initiation and controlling tumor growth. Accordingly, many cancers have evolved diverse mechanisms to evade such monitoring. While multiple immune cell types mediate tumor surveillance, recent evidence demonstrates that macrophages, and other phagocytic cells, play a key role in regulating tumor growth through phagocytic clearance. In this review we highlight the role of tumor immune evasion through the inhibition of phagocytosis, specifically through the CD47-signal-regulatory protein-α pathway, and discuss how targeting this pathway might lead to more effective cancer immunotherapies.

Power estimation of tests in log-linear non-uniform association models for ordinal agreement

Background

Log-linear association models have been extensively used to investigate the pattern of agreement between ordinal ratings. In 2007, log-linear non-uniform association models were introduced to estimate, from a cross-classification of two independent raters using an ordinal scale, varying degrees of distinguishability between distant and adjacent categories of the scale.

Methods

In this paper, a simple method based on simulations was proposed to estimate the power of non-uniform association models to detect heterogeneities across distinguishabilities between adjacent categories of an ordinal scale, illustrating some possible scale defects.

Results

Different scenarios of distinguishability patterns were investigated, as well as different scenarios of marginal heterogeneity within rater. For sample size of N = 50, the probabilities of detecting heterogeneities within the tables are lower than .80, whatever the number of categories. In additition, even for large samples, marginal heterogeneities within raters led to a decrease in power estimates.

Conclusion

This paper provided some issues about how many objects had to be classified by two independent observers (or by the same observer at two different times) to be able to detect a given scale structure defect. Our results also highlighted the importance of marginal homogeneity within raters, to ensure optimal power when using non-uniform association models.

Quality of pathology reports for advanced ovarian cancer: are we missing essential information? An audit of 479 pathology reports from the EORTC-GCG 55971/NCIC-CTG OV13 neoadjuvant trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the quality of surgical pathology reports of advanced stage ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancer. This quality assurance project was performed within the EORTC-GCG 55971/NCIC-CTG OV13 study comparing primary debulking surgery followed by chemotherapy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery.

METHODS

Four hundred and seventy nine pathology reports from 40 institutions in 11 different countries were checked for the following quality indicators: macroscopic description of all specimens, measuring and weighing of major specimens, description of tumour origin and differentiation.

RESULTS

All specimens were macroscopically described in 92.3% of the reports. All major samples were measured and weighed in 59.9% of the reports. A description of the origin of the tumour was missing in 20.5% of reports of the primary debulking group and in 23.4% of the interval debulking group. Assessment of tumour differentiation was missing in 10% of the reports after primary debulking and in 20.8% of the reports after interval debulking. Completeness of reports is positively correlated with accrual volume and adversely with hospital volume or type of hospital (academic versus non-academic). Quality of reports differs significantly by country.

CONCLUSION

This audit of ovarian cancer pathology reports reveals that in a substantial number of reports basic pathologic data are missing, with possible adverse consequences for the quality of cancer care. Specialisation by pathologists and the use of standardised synoptic reports can lead to improved quality of reporting. Further research is needed to better define pre- and post-operative diagnostic criteria for ovarian cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Macrophages as mediators of tumor immunosurveillance

Tumor immunosurveillance is a well-established mechanism for regulation of tumor growth. In this regard, most studies have focused on the role of T- and NK-cells as the critical immune effector cells. However, macrophages play a major role in the recognition and clearance of foreign, aged, and damaged cells. Macrophage phagocytosis is negatively regulated via the receptor SIRPalpha upon binding to CD47, a ubiquitously expressed protein. We recently showed that CD47 is up-regulated in myeloid leukemia and migrating hematopoietic progenitors, and that the level of protein expression correlates with the ability to evade phagocytosis. These results implicate macrophages in the immunosurveillance of hematopoietic cells and leukemias. The ability of macrophages to phagocytose tumor cells might be exploited therapeutically by blocking the CD47-SIRPalpha interaction.

Advanced germ cell malignancies of the ovary: should neo-adjuvant chemotherapy be the first line of treatment?

Malignant germ cell tumours of the ovary, though classically known for 'young age' and 'early stage' at presentation, are not uncommonly identified at advanced stages. Little is available in literature on the role of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in this group of tumours. Two patients with advanced stage ovarian germ cell tumours, including one with 45XO/46XY chromosomal mosaicism, were treated at our Institute with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with Bleomycin, Etoposide and Cisplatin followed by surgery. Besides marked clinical improvement, intraoperatively both the patients presented no difficulty otherwise expected with widespread tumours, and histopathology report revealed no evidence of viable tumour. The article discusses the experience and suggested course of management of these tumours with NACT, which could be offered to patients with advanced malignancy in whom high surgical morbidity is anticipated or in whom only an operative biopsy was performed at laparatomy. Behaviour and management guidelines of dysgenetic gonads with XY mosaicism have also been discussed.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery in patients with serous endometrial cancer with transperitoneal spread (stage IV): a new preferred treatment?

Background:

To investigate the value of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS), in endometrial cancer with transperitoneal spread (stage IV).

Methods:

Patients with endometrial cancer with transperitoneal spread, as determined by laparoscopy (±pleural effusion), were treated with NACT. Efficacy was determined according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, residual tumour at IDS and histopathological assessment of tumour regression.

Results:

A total of 30 patients (median age: 65 years; range:44–81 years) received 3–4 cycles of NACT (83% paclitaxel/carboplatin). Histopathological subtypes were as follows: serous (90%), clear cell (3%) and endometrioid (6%) carcinoma. Response according to RECIST was as follows: 2 (7%) complete remission, 20 (67%) partial remission, 6 (20%) stable disease and 2 (7%) progressive disease (PD). Patients with PD were not operated upon. A total of 24 patients (80%) had optimal cytoreduction (R ⩽1 cm), of whom 22 (92%) were without residual tumour. Four patients were considered inoperable and were excluded from further analysis. The median progression-free survival and overall survival times were 13 and 23 months, respectively.

Histopathological features of chemoresponse in both uterus and omentum were related to a better PFS (P=0.017, hazard ratio (HR) =0.785) and overall survival (P=0.014, HR=0.707). In particular, the absence of tumour infiltration and necrosis were associated with prognosis.

Conclusion:

The use of NACT resulted in a high rate (80%) of optimal IDS for the treatment of endometrial cancer with transperitoneal spread.

Xenografts of primary human gynecological tumors grown under the renal capsule of NOD/SCID mice show genetic stability during serial transplantation and respond to cytotoxic chemotherapy

OBJECTIVES

Human cancer tissue xenograft models may provide a more accurate reflection of tumor biology than cell lines. This study evaluates the genetic and phenotypic stability of primary human gynecological tumors grown as serially transplanted xenografts. The response to conventional chemotherapy and novel molecular targeted chemotherapy is assessed in one of the transplantable xenograft lines.

METHODS

Fresh tumor was transplanted beneath the renal capsule of NOD/SCID mice. Transplantable tumor lines were derived from 5 tumors (4 ovarian carcinomas and 1 uterine sarcoma), and serially transplanted for 2-6 generations. Comparisons were made between primary tumor and corresponding transplantable xenografts by CGH array, immunohistochemistry, and BRCA mutation analysis. Transplantable xenografts created from known BRCA1 germline mutation carriers were analyzed for histopathologic response (tumor volume, apoptotic and mitotic indices) to combination carboplatin/paclitaxel and to PARP inhibitor (PJ34).

RESULTS

Unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis applied to a 287 feature CGH array demonstrated a low degree of intratumoral genetic variation in 4/5 cases, with greater degree of variation in the fifth case (clear cell ovarian carcinoma derived from an omental sample). Assessment of proliferation using MIB-1 staining was concordant between primary tumor and transplantable xenograft in all ovarian cancer cases. BRCA mutation analysis identified germline BRCA1 mutation for further testing and this xenograft showed a significant response to carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy, including a decrease in tumor volume and proliferation but did not demonstrate a response to the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibitor PJ34.

CONCLUSIONS

Xenografts derived from gynecologic tumors can be serially transplanted and grown under renal capsule of NOD/SCID mice with minimal genetic change. This model may be used to study progression of tumors, identify therapeutic targets, and test treatment modalities in tumors with well-characterized abnormalities in genes of fundamental importance in ovarian carcinogenesis, such as loss of BRCA1.