Phase II trial of adjuvant pelvic radiation "sandwiched" between combination paclitaxel and carboplatin in women with uterine papillary serous carcinoma

Case report: Isolated axillary lymph node metastasis in high-risk endometrial cancer

Introduction

There are risks of developing distant metastases over time for both early- and advanced-stage endometrial cancer. Axillary lymph node metastasis as the first site of recurrence, whether isolated or non-isolated, is uncommon, and there are currently no established treatment guidelines for such cases. This study highlights four cases of recurrent endometrial cancer that manifested axillary lymph node metastasis, providing a comprehensive review of their distinctive clinical behavior and the treatment strategies employed.

Methods

We reviewed and compared four cases of recurrent endometrial cancer that developed axillary lymph node metastasis following adjuvant treatment. Patients' perspectives were also discussed.

Results

All four patients had aggressive endometrial histology, including high-grade serous carcinoma and carcinosarcoma. The stages at presentation were stages I and III, with laparotomy or laparoscopy used as the initial surgical approach. Axillary lymph node metastasis was the primary site of recurrence in three cases. Of the three patients with isolated axillary lymph node metastasis, two had long-term survival after aggressive locoregional treatment comprising surgery and radiation.

Conclusion

Axillary lymph node metastasis as the first site of recurrence is rare, even in high-risk endometrial cancer. In addition to systemic chemotherapy, aggressive locoregional treatment can potentially maximize the chance of long-term disease control.

An Overview of Endometrial Cancer with Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Endometrial cancer (EC) stands as the most prevalent gynecologic malignancy. In the past, it was classified based on its hormone sensitivity. However, The Cancer Genome Atlas has categorized EC into four groups, which offers a more objective and reproducible classification and has been shown to have prognostic and therapeutic implications. Hormonally driven EC arises from a precursor lesion known as endometrial hyperplasia, resulting from unopposed estrogen. EC is usually diagnosed through biopsy, followed by surgical staging unless advanced disease is expected. The typical staging consists of a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsies, with a preference placed on a minimally invasive approach. The stage of the disease is the most significant prognostic marker. However, factors such as age, histology, grade, myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, tumor size, peritoneal cytology, hormone receptor status, ploidy and markers, body mass index, and the therapy received all contribute to the prognosis. Treatment is tailored based on the stage and the risk of recurrence. Radiotherapy is primarily used in the early stages, and chemotherapy can be added if high-grade histology or advanced-stage disease is present. The risk of EC recurrence increases with advances in stage. Among the recurrences, vaginal cases exhibit the most favorable response to treatment, typically for radiotherapy. Conversely, the treatment of widespread recurrence is currently palliative and is best managed with chemotherapy or hormonal agents. Most recently, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment for advanced and recurrent EC.

Identification of drug targets and prognosis projection for uterine carcinosarcoma based on alternative splicing events

BACKGROUND

Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) is an invasive variant of endometrial cancer. The complicated heterogeneity and low frequency of UCS suggest the relevant research is lack. There is an urgent need to further explore the pathogenic mechanism and identify new biomarkers of UCS from different angels to improve its diagnosis and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study is to explore the importance of alternative splicing (AS) events in UCS, construct AS-based prognosis model and excavate key splicing factors (SFs).

METHOD

UCS related gene transcriptome data and AS events data were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and TCGA SpliceSeq database. The AS events related to survival were determined by Cox regression analysis, Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) regression analysis and optimal subset analysis. The corresponding risk score was calculated and its efficiency on prognosis was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival estimate and validated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The prognosis model was constructed with risk score and clinic characters as independent variables to predict patients' survival. On the other hand, Kendall test was applied to inspect the correlation between the SFs and the prognosis-related AS events and a AS-SF network was constructed. Finally, the key SFs were screened through network nodes analysis and survival analysis.

RESULT

Seven AS events the most related to survival were detected and the risk score was obtained. K-M survival estimate and ROC curve validation suggested the risk score was effective. Then Cox model was constructed based on the risk score and a nomogram model was obtained which provided the highest prediction accuracy of 95%. Through the AS-SF network analysis, 16 SFs were screened, among which four survival-related SFs were eventually obtained.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis model could predict the survival rate of UCS patients by their clinical characters and AS-based risk score. And four newly discovered SFs could reveal the molecular mechanism of UCS and act as the potential drug targets and prognosis biomarkers.

Executive summary of the American Radium Society appropriate use criteria for management of uterine clear cell and serous carcinomas

BACKGROUND

Uterine clear cell and serous carcinomas have a high propensity for locoregional and distant spread, tend to be more advanced at presentation, and carry a higher risk of recurrence and death than endometrioid cancers. Limited prospective data exist to guide evidence-based management of these rare malignancies.

OBJECTIVE

The American Radium Society sought to summarize evidence-based guidelines developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel that help to guide the management of uterine clear cell and serous carcinomas.

METHODS

The American Radium Society Appropriate Use Criteria presented in this manuscript were developed by a multidisciplinary expert panel using an extensive analysis of current published literature from peer-reviewed journals. A well-established methodology (modified Delphi) was used to rate the appropriate use of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for the management of uterine clear cell and serous carcinomas.

RESULTS

The primary treatment for non-metastatic uterine clear cell and serous carcinomas is complete surgical staging, with total hysterectomy, salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and lymph node staging. Even in early-stage disease, patients with uterine clear cell and serous carcinomas have a worse prognosis than those with type I endometrial cancers, warranting consideration for adjuvant therapy regardless of the stage. Given the aggressive nature of these malignancies, and until further research determines the most appropriate adjuvant therapy, it may be reasonable to counsel patients about combined-modality treatment with systemic chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Patients diagnosed with uterine clear cell and serous carcinomas should undergo complete surgical staging. Multimodal adjuvant therapies should be considered in the treatment of both early-stage and advanced-stage disease. Further prospective studies or multi-institutional retrospective studies are warranted to determine optimal sequencing of therapy and appropriate management of patients based on their unique risk factors. Long-term surveillance is indicated due to the high risk of locoregional and distant recurrence.

The "Sandwich" Schedule: A Well-Tolerated Adjuvant Treatment Both in Intermediate-High- and High-Risk Endometrial Cancer

(1) Background: In intermediate-high- and high-risk endometrial cancer (EC), radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT) play a basic role. However, there is controversy regarding the optimal timing of their combination. The "sandwich" schedule involves adjuvant CT followed by RT and subsequent CT. The aim of this study is to assess the tolerability and efficacy of the "sandwich" schedule. (2) Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in two gynecological oncology units in Torino, Italy, from 1 January 2003 until 31 December 2021. Intermediate-high- and high-risk patients with available clinical data were included. Compliance with treatment, CT and RT toxicities, disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. (3) Results: A total of 118 patients were selected: 27.1% FIGO I-II stages and 72.9% III-IV. Most of the patients (75.4%) received a carboplatin-paclitaxel combination, and as much as 94.9% of CT cycles were completed. Chemotherapy-related G3-4 toxicities were detected in 5.3% of the patients, almost half of which were hematological. Grade 2 gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities were reported in 8.4% and 4.2% of cases, respectively. With a median follow-up of 46 months, DFS was 77.6%, CSS was 70% and 5-year OS was 54%. (4) Conclusions: The "sandwich" schedule for CT and RT combination is an effective adjuvant treatment with low toxicity both in intermediate-high- and high-risk EC.

Natural Radiosensitizers in Radiotherapy: Cancer Treatment by Combining Ionizing Radiation with Resveratrol

Conventional cancer treatment is mainly based on the surgical removal of the tumor followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. When surgical removal is not possible, radiotherapy and, less often, chemotherapy is the only way to treat patients. However, despite significant progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and developments in modern radiotherapy techniques, radiotherapy (alone or in combination) does not always guarantee treatment success. One of the main causes is the radioresistance of cancer cells. Increasing the radiosensitivity of cancer cells improves the processes leading to their elimination during radiotherapy and prolonging the survival of cancer patients. In order to enhance the effect of radiotherapy in the treatment of radioresistant neoplasms, radiosensitizers are used. In clinical practice, synthetic radiosensitizers are commonly applied, but scientists have recently focused on using natural products (phytocompounds) as adjuvants in radiotherapy. In this review article, we only discuss naturally occurring radiosensitizers currently in clinical trials (paclitaxel, curcumin, genistein, and papaverine) and those whose radiation sensitizing effects, such as resveratrol, have been repeatedly confirmed by many independent studies.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Adjuvant Therapies for High-Risk Endometrial Cancer in Stage I-III: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND The use of adjuvant therapy for high-risk endometrial cancer patients (HREC) in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I-III remains debatable. This network meta-analysis was conducted to compare and rank adjuvant therapies based on efficacies and toxicities to facilitate clinical decision-making and further research. MATERIAL AND METHODS We searched 3 databases - PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials - from inception to December 9, 2019. Only randomized controlled trials that compared any of these adjuvant therapies (pelvic radiotherapy, vaginal brachytherapy, chemotherapy, and chemoradiotherapy) with each other or surgery alone were included. The network meta-analysis was performed in a frequentist framework using Stata software 15.0. RESULTS Fourteen RCTs with 5872 participants were eligible. No significant difference between treatments was observed in 5-year overall survival (OS) or distant metastasis. Compared with surgery alone, adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy plus chemotherapy (pelvic RT-CT) prolonged 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and pelvic radiotherapy (pelvic RT) (RR=0.61, 95% CI 0.39-0.96; RR=0.779, 95% CI 0.63-0.95). Compared with surgery alone, pelvic RT, the combination of pelvic RT and vaginal brachytherapy (pelvic RT-VBT), chemotherapy (CT), and pelvic RT-CT led to fewer local recurrences (RR=0.33, 95% CI 0.21-0.50; RR=0.15, 95% CI 0.03-0.74; RR=0.39, 95% CI 0.21-0.73; RR=0.17, 95% CI 0.06-0.46). Adjuvant CT was found to result in more grade III/IV late toxicities than surgery alone (RR=11.8, 95% CI 1.02-137.14). Pelvic RT-CT ranked first for OS, PFS, distant metastasis, and local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Pelvic RT-CT is superior to other treatments for PFS and local recurrence rate, and associated related toxicities are tolerable, suggesting it may be an ideal adjuvant therapy for HREC patients.

Stage III uterine serous carcinoma: modern trends in multimodality treatment

Objective

To examine outcomes in a modern treatment era for stage III uterine serous carcinoma (USC).

Methods

Fifty women were retrospectively identified as 2009 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage III USC patients who received radiotherapy (RT) at our institution between 1/2003–5/2018. The patients were divided into 2 cohorts: 20 in the early era (2003–2010) and 30 in the modern era (2011–2018). Patient characteristics were compared using χ² tests for categorical variables and t-tests for continuous variables. Recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier estimates, the log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards.

Results

The modern era differed from the early era in the increased use of volume-directed external beam RT (EBRT) as opposed to vaginal brachytherapy (VB) alone (33.3% vs 5.0%, p=0.048), minimally invasive surgery (56.7% vs. 25%, p=0.027), sentinel node sampling (26.7% vs. 0%, p=0.012), computed tomography imaging in the perioperative period (63.3% vs. 30%, p=0.044), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2/neu testing (96.7% vs. 55%, p=0.001). Median follow-up for early and modern eras was 37.27 and 33.23 months, respectively. The early vs. modern 3-year RFS was 33% and 64% (p=0.039), respectively, while the 3-year OS was 55% and 90% (p=0.034). Regional nodal recurrence more common among the patients who received VB only (p=0.048).

Conclusion

Modern era treatment was associated with improved RFS and OS in patients with stage III USC. Regional nodal recurrences were significantly reduced in patients who received EBRT.

A multi-institutional analysis of sequential versus 'sandwich' adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for stage IIIC endometrial carcinoma

Objective

To analyze the outcomes of sequential or sandwich chemotherapy (ChT) and radiotherapy (RT) in patients with node-positive endometrial cancer (EC).

Methods

Data from 4 centers were collected retrospectively for 179 patients with stage IIIC EC treated with postoperative RT and ChT (paclitaxel and carboplatin). Patients were either treated with 6 cycles of ChT followed by RT (sequential arm; 96 patients) or with 3 cycles of ChT, RT, and an additional 3 cycles of ChT (sandwich arm; 83 patients). Prognostic factors affecting overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed.

Results

The 5-year OS and PFS rates were 64% and 59%, respectively, with a median follow-up of 41 months (range, 5–167 months). The 5-year OS rates were significantly higher in the sandwich than sequential arms (74% vs. 56%; p=0.03) and the difference for 5-year PFS rates was nearly significant (65% vs. 54%; p=0.05). In univariate analysis, treatment strategy, age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, pathology, rate of myometrial invasion, and grade were prognostic factors for OS and PFS. In multivariate analysis, non-endometrioid histology, advanced FIGO stage, and adjuvant sequential ChT and RT were negative predictors for OS, whereas only non-endometrioid histology was a prognostic factor for PFS.

Conclusion

Postoperative adjuvant ChT and RT for stage IIIC EC patients, either given sequentially or sandwiched, offers excellent clinical efficacy and acceptably low toxicity. Our data support the superiority of the sandwich regimen compared to the sequential strategy in stage IIIC EC patients for OS.

Adjuvant Pelvic Radiation "Sandwiched" Between Paclitaxel/Carboplatin Chemotherapy in Women With Completely Resected Uterine Serous Carcinoma: Long-term Follow-up of a Prospective Phase 2 Trial

OBJECTIVE

We prospectively evaluated patients with completely resected uterine serous carcinoma (USC) treated with radiation "sandwiched" between carboplatin/paclitaxel (C/T). The primary objective was to determine the safety profile, and the secondary outcome was to evaluate progression-free and overall survival.

METHODS

Surgically staged patients with completely resected USC were enrolled to receive 3 cycles of paclitaxel 175 mg/m and carboplatin (area under the curve, 6-7.5) every 21 days, followed by radiotherapy and an additional 3 cycles of T/C at area under the curve of 5-6 (6 cycles + radiotherapy). Toxicity was graded according to National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria, version 4.03. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used to compare survival probabilities.

RESULTS

One hundred forty patients were enrolled, of which 132 were evaluable, completed at least 3 cycles of chemotherapy and radiation. One hundred seven (81%) completed 6 cycles of chemotherapy and radiation. Patients with early-stage (I/II) disease have survival probabilities of 0.96 and 0.81 at 2 and 5 years. Patients with stage I USC and lymphovascular invasion have considerably worse overall survival, with 2.7 times' higher risk of death than those without lymphovascular invasion. Patients with late-stage (III/IV) disease had overall survival probabilities of 0.64 and 0.18 at 2 and 5 years, which is far higher survival than what has been reported in single-modality trials. Interestingly, and different than what is reported in other studies, there is no difference in survival in African Americans versus whites/other races who were evaluable. Of the 779 cycles administered, 22% and 14% of cycles were associated with grades 3 and 4 hematologic toxicities, respectively. Grades 3 and 4 nonhematologic toxicities occurred in 6.9% of cycles.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term follow-up in this study demonstrates that "sandwich" therapy is an efficacious, well-tolerated treatment approach with acceptable toxicities. Lymphovascular invasion (LVSI) is a significantly poor prognostic factor in stage I USC. Multimodal "sandwich" therapy should be considered in all USC patients who have undergone complete surgical resection and staging.

Current recommendations and recent progress in endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States, and its incidence is rising. Although there have been significant recent advances in our understanding of endometrial cancer biology, many aspects of treatment remain mired in controversy, including the role of surgical lymph node assessment and the selection of patients for adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy. For the subset of women with microsatellite-instable, metastatic disease, anti- programmed cell death protein 1 immunotherapy (pembrolizumab) is now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and numerous trials are attempting to build on this early success.

Survival outcomes of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in women with stage I serous papillary and clear cell carcinoma of the endometrium: a Korean multicenter study

Objective

To compare the survival outcomes of adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in women with uterine-confined endometrial cancer with uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) or clear cell carcinoma (CCC).

Methods

Medical records of 80 women who underwent surgical staging for endometrial cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Stage I UPSC and CCC were pathologically confirmed after surgery. Survival outcomes were compared between the adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy groups.

Results

Fifty-four (67.5%) and 26 (32.5%) women had UPSC and CCC, respectively. Adjuvant therapy was administered to 59/80 (73.8%) women (25 radiotherapy and 34 chemotherapy). High preoperative serum cancer antigen-125 level (25.1±20.2 vs. 11.5±6.5 IU/mL, p<0.001), open surgery (71.2% vs. 28.6%, p=0.001), myometrial invasion (MI) ≥1/2 (33.9% vs. 0, p=0.002), and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI; 28.8% vs. 4.8%, p=0.023) were frequent in women who received adjuvant therapy compared to those who did not. However, the histologic type, MI ≥1/2, and LVSI did not differ between women who received adjuvant radiotherapy and those who received chemotherapy. The 5-year progression-free survival (78.9% vs. 80.1%, p>0.999) and overall survival (77.5% vs. 87.8%, p=0.373) rates were similar between the groups. Neither radiotherapy (hazard ratio [HR]=1.810; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.297–11.027; p=0.520) nor chemotherapy (HR=1.638; 95% CI=0.288–9.321; p=0.578) after surgery was independently associated with disease recurrence.

Conclusion

Our findings showed similar survival outcomes for adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in stage I UPSC and CCC of the endometrium. Further large study with analysis stratified by MI or LVSI is required.

Association of chemotherapy and radiotherapy sequence with overall survival in locoregionally advanced endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

The optimal adjuvant management of women with FIGO Stage III-IVA endometrial cancer (EC) is unclear. While recent prospective data suggest that treatment with pelvic radiotherapy (RT) prior to chemotherapy (CT) is not associated with a survival benefit compared to CT alone, no prospective randomized trial has included a treatment arm in which CT is given before RT.

METHODS

An observational cohort study was performed on women with FIGO Stage III-IVA Type 1 (grade 1-2, endometrioid) EC who underwent hysterectomy and received multi-agent CT and/or RT from 2004 to 2014 at Commission on Cancer-accredited hospitals. Multivariable parametric accelerated failure time models were performed to estimate the association of sequence of adjuvant CT and RT with overall survival (OS) using propensity score-adjusted matched cohorts.

RESULTS

Of 5795 women identified, 1260 (21.7%) received RT only, 2465 (42.5%) received CT only, 593 (9.7%) received RT before CT, and 1506 (26.0%) received RT after CT. Women who received RT after CT experienced significantly longer 5-year OS than women who received RT before CT (5-year OS: 80.1% vs 73.3%; time-ratio (TR) = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.18-1.58, P < 0.001), CT only (68.9%; TR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.19-1.48, P < 0.001), or RT only (64.5%, TR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.32-1.70, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For women with advanced EC, treatment with multi-agent CT followed by RT is associated with longer OS compared with treatment with RT followed by CT or either treatment alone. These hypothesis-generating data support inclusion in future prospective trials of regimens in which multi-agent CT starts prior to RT.

Treatment outcomes of endometrial cancer patients with paraaortic lymph node metastasis: a multi-institutional analysis

Objective

To analyze the prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in endometrial cancer patients with paraaortic lymph node metastasis.

Methods

Data from four centers were collected retrospectively for 92 patients with endometrial cancer treated with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy or adjuvant radiotherapy alone postoperatively, delivered by either the sandwich or sequential method. Prognostic factors affecting overall survival and progression-free survival were analyzed.

Results

The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 35 % and 33 %, respectively, after a median follow-up time of 33 months. The 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were significantly higher in patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy postoperatively compared with patients treated with adjuvant radiotherapy alone (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). In a subgroup analysis of patients treated with adjuvant combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the 5-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were significantly higher in patients receiving chemotherapy and radiotherapy via the sandwich method compared with patients treated with sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03, respectively). In the univariate analysis, in addition to treatment strategy, pathology, depth of myometrial invasion, and tumor grade were significant prognostic factors for both overall survival and progression-free survival. In the multivariate analysis, grade III disease, myometrial invasion greater than or equal to 50%, and adjuvant radiotherapy alone were negative predictors for both overall survival and progression-free survival.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that adjuvant combined treatment including radiotherapyand chemotherapy significantly increases overall survival and progression-free survival rates compared with postoperative pelvic and paraaortic radiotherapy.

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone in high-risk endometrial cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The benefits of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for high-risk endometrial cancer (HREC) in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages I-III remain controversial. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of postoperative CRT over radiotherapy (RT) alone, exclusively for patients with HREC for the following key endpoints: overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), the local recurrence rate, the distant metastasis rate, cancer-specific survival (CSS), grade III/IV acute and late toxicities, and the small bowel obstruction rate.

METHODS

Five databases, namely, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov, were systematically explored and supplemented by manual searching to identify relevant studies published before Dec 9, 2017. Only prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted for HREC comparing CRT and RT alone after surgery were included. All statistical analyses were performed using RevMan Version 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Six eligible trials involving 2105 patients were identified for the final meta-analysis (CRT: n = 1064; RT: n = 1041). No statistically significant differences were evident between the CRT and RT groups regarding OS (n = 2105, RR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.98-1.06, P = 0.40). Additionally, no differences were apparent in terms of the local recurrence rate (n = 690, RR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.19-1.18, P = 0.11) or distant metastasis rate (n = 1445, RR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.72-1.23, P = 0.67). However, CRT significantly prolonged overall five-year PFS (80.2% vs. 74.5%, +5.7%; RR = 1.08, P = 0.005) and five-year CSS (86.1% vs. 79.0%, +7.1%; RR = 1.09, P = 0.03). A higher incidence of grade III/IV toxicities (P < 0.00001) was evident with CRT, while grade III/IV late toxicities and the small bowel obstruction rate were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with endometrial cancers with stage I-III risk factors, adjuvant CRT can significantly improve PFS and CSS compared with RT. With the exception of increased acute toxicities, CRT is well accepted and tolerated in HREC patients.

Clinical outcomes and the role of adjuvant therapy sequencing in Type II uterine cancer following definitive surgical treatment

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

Because of rarity, consensus on adjuvant therapies for Type II endometrial cancers (BC) remains undefined. Reporting their institutional outcomes, the present authors assessed the impact of adjuvant therapies on recurrence and overall survival in women with 2009 FIGO Stage I-III Type II BC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The authors identified 108 women, treated with definitive surgery between 2000-2013, with pathologically-confirmed Type II EC (non-endometrioid [NEM, n=801 and high grade endometrioid [G3EEC, n=28]) Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the effect of prognostic variables on disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess survival.

RESULTS

Of the 108 women, 83 (77%) were African American (AA). Fifty-nine (55%), 12 (11%), and 37 (34%) were Stage I, II, and III, respectively. Ninety-seven patients received adjuvant therapy: 52 (radiation only), four (chemotherapy only), and 40 (combined). During follow-up (median 41 months), 44 patients (41%) recurred. Five-year DFS was 53% overall (48% [NEM], 80% [G3EEC]). Five-year OS was 75% overall (68% [NEM], 95% [G3EEC]). On multivariate analysis, lower stage and adjuvant radiation improved DFS. Higher stage, NEM, and increasing age were poor prognostic indicators of OS.

CONCLUSION

Representing a large single institutional cohort for Type II BC, the present study's observed sur- vival rates are consistent with previous studies, despite the relatively high frequency of carcinosarcoma and Stage III/nodal disease. The protective effect on recurrence was not lost when radiation was delayed for chemotherapy. The present results support a multimodal adjuvant approach for treating all stages of invasive NEM EC.

Clinical Behavior and Treatment of Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy diagnosed in women in the developed nations. It affects a disproportionate number of reproductive-aged women. While the overall prognosis is good compared to other cancers affecting women, the pathogenesis and clinical behavior of endometrial cancer are heterogeneous. The risk factors associated with the type I and type II endometrial cancers and their pathogenesis will be discussed, as well as the evaluation and primary treatment of women with endometrial cancer. The chapter will also focus on risk stratification for recurrence after surgery and role of adjuvant treatments. Finally, the treatment of recurrent endometrial cancer will be presented.

Role of Adjuvant Therapy for Stage IA Serous and Clear Cell Uterine Cancer: Is Observation a Valid Strategy?

OBJECTIVES

The adjuvant treatment of early stage IA serous and clear cell carcinomas of the uterus is controversial. The aims of the study were to report on a single institution experience treating these high-risk early uterine cancers and to identify women who may be suitable for observation alone.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A retrospective review of patients presenting from 2003 to 2013 with pathologic stage IA (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2009) serous or clear cell uterine carcinoma was performed. Patient and disease characteristics, surgical staging, treatment details, and recurrence data were collected. Recurrence rates and 5-year actuarial estimates of recurrence free survival (RFS) were the primary outcomes of interest.

RESULTS

A total of 77 patients with stage IA were identified. Median (range) follow-up was 34 (1-108) months. Staging lymphadenectomy was performed in 83%. Adjuvant treatment was given to 27 patients, whereas 50 underwent observation. There were 12 recurrences total, with the 5-year RFS 79% for the cohort, with no statistically significant difference between observation and adjuvant treatment. Only 4 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and none recurred. In the observation cohort, the presence versus absence of myometrial invasion showed a trend to poorer 5-year RFS (75% vs 93%, P = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Observation seems to be a valid strategy in those patients with stage IA serous and clear cell carcinoma without myometrial invasion. The presence of any myometrial invasion may confer a higher risk of recurrence, although further studies are needed to determine the optimal adjuvant treatment regimen.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy and Vaginal Vault Brachytherapy With or Without Pelvic Radiotherapy for Stage 1 Papillary Serous or Clear Cell Endometrial Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess and compare adjuvant chemotherapy followed by either high-dose-rate vaginal vault brachytherapy (VBT) alone or combined with pelvic external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics stage 1 serous or clear cell (CC) endometrial cancer.

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2012, 84 women with stage 1 serous or CC endometrial cancer were evaluated postoperatively for adjuvant treatment at our hospital. More than 80% of patients had pelvic lymphadenectomy. Patients declining or not completing adjuvant treatments were excluded. Twenty-five women received 4 to 6 cycles of carboplatin/paclitaxel followed by EBRT and VBT. Thirty-two women received 6 cycles of carboplatin/paclitaxel followed by VBT. Locoregional control and toxicities were assessed during follow-up.

RESULTS

The 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates for the VBT group compared with the EBRT + VBT group were 88% versus 84%, P = 0.6, and 100% versus 94%, P = 0.6, respectively. Only 1 patient in the EBRT + VBT group developed a distant recurrence. One patient had grade 3 toxicity (chronic gastrointestinal [GI] toxicity) in the EBRT + VBT group. Acute grade 1-to-2 GI and grade 1 genitourinary (GU) toxicities were less frequent in the VBT group compared with the EBRT + VBT group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.019, respectively). Late GI and GU toxicities were comparable. Grade 1 vaginal toxicity was similar in both groups. No acute or late grade 2 GU or vaginal toxicities were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

According to this study, VBT alone seems to be as effective as EBRT and VBT for stage 1 serous and CC endometrial cancer treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Furthermore, less acute GI and GU toxicities were seen in the VBT group.

The Impact of Combined Radiation and Chemotherapy on Outcome in Uterine Clear Cell Carcinoma Compared with Chemotherapy Alone

AIMS

To investigate the impact of pelvic radiation on survival in patients with uterine clear cell carcinoma (UCC) who received adjuvant chemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with stage I-IV UCC who had undergone surgery and chemotherapy were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) programm 2000-2009. Patients were divided into those who received only chemotherapy and those who received both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression models were used for analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 317 patients included, 195 (62%) were in the chemotherapy only group and 122 (38%) were in the chemotherapy and radiation therapy group. Pelvic radiation was associated with significant improvement in overall survival (median 88 versus 25 months, 5 year survival: 58% versus 33%, P<0.001) in the chemotherapy and radiation therapy group compared with the chemotherapy only group for the entire cohort. On subset analysis, chemotherapy and radiation therapy was associated with improved overall survival in late stage disease (III-IV) (5 year 54% versus 22%, P<0.001) compared with the chemotherapy only group, whereas in stage I-II UCC, there was no difference in overall survival between the chemotherapy and radiotherapy group and the chemotherapy only group (5 year 65% versus 67%, P=0.69). In multivariable analysis, pelvic radiation was associated with improved survival in patients with late stage disease (hazard ratio 0.57, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.94, P=0.03) but not for early stage disease (hazard ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval 0.33-2.0, P=0.65). Other significant predictors were advanced stage, positive cytology and extensive lymphadenectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiation was associated with significant improvement in survival in advanced stage UCC, but not in early stage UCC. These data support the beneficial role of radiation therapy in UCC, especially in patients with advanced stage disease.

Long term follow-up of a phase II trial of multimodal therapy given in a "sandwich" method for stage III, IV, and recurrent endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Our objective was to determine if previously reported overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates are maintained long term following multimodal therapy for advanced and recurrent endometrial cancer and to assess the lymphedema rates associated with this therapy.

METHODS

Women with advanced-stage or recurrent endometrial cancer were recruited between 9/2004 and 6/2009 to our previously published Phase II trial. Patients received intravenous docetaxel (75 mg/m2) and carboplatin (AUC = 6) every 3 weeks for 3 cycles before and after radiation therapy. Patient outcomes were updated in July 2014. Data abstracted included presence of lymphedema, disease progression, and death. OS and PFS estimates at 5 years were calculated using Kaplan-Meier methods.

RESULTS

Of the 41 patients enrolled, 10 (24 %) had stage IIIA and 21 (51 %) had stage IIIC disease; 32 (78 %) had endometrioid histology; and 35 (85 %) completed the protocol. With a median follow-up of 5 years, 15 of 41 patients have died. The Kaplan-Meier estimate and 95 % CI for OS at 5 years was 70 % (53-82 %). Excluding the two patients with recurrent disease at enrollment, 15 of 39 patients progressed or died during follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier estimate and 95 % CI for PFS at 5 years was 66 % (48-78 %). Fifteen patients (37 %) had medical record documentation of lymphedema following treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

After additional follow-up, OS and PFS estimates remain high and in-field recurrences low following "sandwich" therapy. The "sandwich" method remains efficacious for women with stage III-IV or recurrent endometrial cancer.

Treatment related outcomes in high-risk endometrial carcinoma: Canadian high risk endometrial cancer consortium (CHREC)

OBJECTIVE

The lack of randomized clinical data pertaining to optimal surgery and adjuvant treatment in women with high-risk histotypes of endometrial cancer has resulted in selective management based on institutional policies. The objective of this study was to assess differences in treatment strategies and their outcomes among various institutions.

METHOD

High-risk endometrial cancer cases (2000-2012) with corresponding clinicopathologic data were collected from 7 academic cancer centers. Histotypes included grade 3 endometrioid (EC3), serous (ESC), clear cell (CCC) and carcinosarcoma (CS). Associations with overall survival were performed using Cox proportional hazard regression.

RESULTS

1260 patients treated between 2000 and 2012 were included in the study: 398 EC3, 449 ESC, 91 CCC, 236 CS and 83 'other'. The use of adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiation, and extent of surgical staging were statistically different among the 7 centers (P<0.001). Histotype was independently associated with overall survival (OS) in patients with stage 1 and 2 disease who underwent surgical staging (P=0.0324). Adjuvant radiation was associated with improved OS for EC3 and CCC and adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved OS for ESC and CS. There was a high rate of recurrence (17.8% and 21.4%) in completely staged, stage 1A patients with ESC and CS respectively.

CONCLUSION

There exists a wide variation in practice and outcomes for high-risk histotypes of endometrial cancer. The relative impact of adjuvant therapy appears to be histotype dependent and prospective studies examining adjuvant treatment in high-risk histotypes should use caution combining them together.

The impact of combined radiation and chemotherapy on outcome in uterine papillary serous carcinoma compared to chemotherapy alone

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of pelvic radiation on survival in patients with uterine serous carcinoma (USC) who received adjuvant chemotherapy.

METHODS

Patients with stage I-IV USC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program 2000 to 2009. Patients were included if treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Patients were divided into two groups: those who received chemotherapy and pelvic radiation therapy (CT_RT) and those who received chemotherapy only (CT). Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression proportional hazard models were used.

RESULTS

Of the 1,838 included patients, 1,272 (69%) were CT and 566 (31%) were CT_RT. Adjuvant radiation was associated with significant improvement in overall survival (OS; p<0.001) and disease-specific survival (DSS; p<0.001) for entire cohort. These findings were consistent for the impact of radiation on OS (p<0.001) and DSS (p<0.001) in advanced stage (III-IV) disease but not for early stage (I?II) disease (p=0.21 for OS and p=0.82 for DSS). In multivariable analysis adjusting for age, stage, race and extent of lymphadenectomy, adjuvant radiation was a significant predictor of OS and DSS for entire cohort (p=0.003 and p=0.05) and in subset of patients with stage III (p=0.02 and p=0.07) but not for patients with stage I (p=0.59 and p=0.49), II (p=0.83 and p=0.82), and IV USC (p=0.50 and p=0.96). Other predictors were stage, positive cytology, African American race and extent of lymphadenectomy.

CONCLUSION

In USC patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant radiation was associated with significantly improved outcome in stage III disease but not for other stages. Positive cytology, extent of lymphadenectomy and African race were significant predictors of outcome.

Menopause and Cancers

Cancer is a disease of aging, and therefore is more prevalent after menopause. Menopausal symptoms resulting from cancer treatments are an important survivorship issue in cancer care. This article reviews the preventive strategies, utilization of health resources, and management of menopausal symptoms after cancer treatment. Preventive screening as informed by genetic and lifestyle risk, and lifestyle modification, may mitigate the risk of cancer and cancer mortality. Despite potential benefits to quality of life, hormone replacement is rarely prescribed to survivors of gynecologic malignancies. Special considerations are needed for the treatment and supportive care of menopausal symptoms in cancer survivors.

Survival Outcomes Improved in Contemporary Cohort of Patients With Pelvic or Abdominal Recurrence After Treatment for Stage I/II Endometrial Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Pelvic and abdominal recurrences in stage I/II endometrial carcinoma are associated with poor outcomes, yet prognostic factors for survival after recurrence are not well described. Herein, we identify patients with pelvic or abdominal recurrence after surgery for stage I/II endometrial carcinoma and describe symptoms at presentation, prognostic factors, and salvage treatment toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort of 20 consecutively treated patients with recurrence after treatment for stage I/II endometrial carcinoma followed by our Institution's Radiation Oncology Department from 1998 to 2015.

RESULTS

The median time to pelvic or abdominal recurrence was 18.1 months (range, 4.2 to 59.6 mo), with 50% of recurrences at extranodal locations. Two-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 44% and 2-year overall survival (OS) was 82%. Salvage treatments varied widely, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy (RT) (7), surgery and RT (3), and surgery, chemotherapy, and RT (3). On univariate analysis of PFS, symptoms at recurrence (P=0.04) and extranodal recurrences (P<0.01) were found to be statistically significant negative prognosticators for PFS. On univariate analysis of OS, increasing age at recurrence and presence of symptoms were found to have a trend toward statistically significant association with negative OS outcomes (P=0.08 and P=0.10, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that long-term survival for pelvic or abdominal recurrences is possible with curative salvage therapy. The presence of symptoms is a negative prognostic factor in treatment outcome, and imaging may be effective for diagnosis in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Larger studies need to be performed to confirm these findings.

Brain metastasis in two patients with stage IA papillary serous carcinoma of the uterus

We report two cases of brain metastasis in patients initially diagnosed with extremely early stage UPSC after extensive staging surgery. They did not receive either adjuvant chemotherapy or adjuvant pelvic or vaginal cuff radiation. At the same time that these patients were diagnosed with systemic metastasis, they both had a local "drop" metastasis in the vulva or the vaginal cuff. After the initial response to palliative chemotherapy, they both developed brain metastasis. The pattern of recurrence with the lack of adjuvant treatment underscores the urgent need in further evaluation of the potential benefits of adjuvant treatment, including chemotherapy and possibly in combination with radiation in this highly aggressive disease.

Sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the sandwich method for advanced endometrial cancer: a meta-analysis

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies and the standard treatment modality has not been established.To assess the efficacy and tolerability of a sandwich method consisted of chemotherapy followed by involved field irradiation and additional chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced endometrial cancer.The Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) Library were searched to identify the relevant literature published between 1970 and September 2014. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity.A total of 5 articles were subjected to this meta-analysis. The pooled 3-year PFS and OS of patients with advanced endometrial cancer treated with the "sandwich" method was 68% (95% CI: 0.60-0.77) with no heterogeneity (I = 0.00%, P = 0.77) among the studies and 75% (95% CI: 0.61-0.89) with significant heterogeneity (I = 71.8%, P = 0.01), respectively. Pooled analysis of toxicity was not performed because of the substantial heterogeneity.Sequential chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the sandwich method is both efficacious and well tolerated. Large-scale randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are necessary in the future.

Sequential versus "sandwich" sequencing of adjuvant chemoradiation for the treatment of stage III uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and tolerance of adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy delivered in sequential (chemotherapy followed by radiation) versus "sandwich" fashion (chemotherapy, interval radiation, and remaining chemotherapy) after surgery in patients with FIGO stage III uterine endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2011, we identified 51 patients treated at our institution fitting the above criteria. All patients received surgical staging followed by adjuvant chemoradiation (external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with or without high-dose rate (HDR) vaginal brachytherapy (VB)). Of these, 73% and 27% of patients received their adjuvant therapy in sequential and sandwich fashion, respectively.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in clinical or pathologic factors between patients treated with either regimen. Thirty-nine (76%) patients had stage IIIC disease. The majority of patients received 6 cycles of paclitaxel with carboplatin or cisplatin. Median EBRT dose was 45 Gy and 54% of patients received HDR VB boost (median dose 21 Gy). There were no significant differences in the estimated 5-year overall survival, local progression-free survival, and distant metastasis-free survival between the sequential and sandwich groups: 87% vs. 77% (p=0.37), 89% vs. 100% (p=0.21), and 78% vs. 85% (p=0.79), respectively. No grade 3-4 genitourinary or gastrointestinal toxicities were reported in either group. There was a trend towards higher incidence of grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity in the sandwich group.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant chemoradiation for FIGO stage III endometrioid uterine cancer given in either sequential or sandwich fashion appears to offer equally excellent early clinical outcomes and acceptably low toxicity.

Adjuvant therapy in early-stage endometrial cancer: a systematic review of the evidence, guidelines, and clinical practice in the U.S

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the U.S., with an increasing incidence likely secondary to the obesity epidemic. Surgery is usually the primary treatment for early stage endometrial cancer, followed by adjuvant therapy in selected cases. This includes radiation therapy [RT] with or without chemotherapy, based on stratification of patients into categories dependent on their future recurrence risk. Several prospective trials (PORTEC-1, GOG#99, and PORTEC-2) have shown that the use of adjuvant RT in the intermediate risk (IR) and the high-intermediate risk (HIR) groups decreases locoregional recurrence (LRR) but has no effect on overall survival. The ad hoc analyses from these studies have shown that an even larger LRR risk reduction was seen within the HIR group compared with the IR group. Vaginal brachytherapy is as good as external beam radiotherapy in controlling vaginal relapse where the majority of recurrence occur, and with less toxicity. In the high-risk group, multimodality therapy (chemotherapy and RT) may play a significant role. Although adjuvant RT has been evaluated in many cost-effectiveness studies, high-quality data in this area are still lacking. The uptake of the above prospective trial results in the U.S. has not been promising. Factors that are driving current practices and defining quality-of-care measures for patients with early-stage disease are what future studies need to address.

Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation for the treatment of advanced-stage endometrial cancer

INTRODUCTION

Ccombination chemotherapy and radiation therapy is used for adjuvant treatment of stage III-IV endometrial cancer. The goal of this study was to review the treatment duration, toxicity, and survival for patients treated with concomitant chemotherapy and radiation.

METHODS

Women with stage III-IV endometrial cancer treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation between 2006 and 2013 were included. Toxicities were classified per CTCAE v3.0 and RTOG/EORTC late radiation morbidity scoring. Descriptive statistics were used to quantify treatment and toxicities. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients met our inclusion criteria. Median age was 60 (range 33-85). Thirty-six patients (70.6%) had endometrioid histology, 13 patients (25.5%) had serous, clear cell, or mixed histology, and 2 women (3.9%) had carcinosarcoma. Forty-eight patients had stage III disease and three patients were stage IVB. Mean treatment duration was 107 ± 19 days. Forty-two patients received all planned chemotherapy, and 16 patients required a dose reduction. Thirty-four patients (66.7%) experienced grade 3-4 toxicities, the majority of which were hematologic. There were no deaths related to therapy. Eighty-six percent of patients received leukocyte growth factors, and 25% of patients received a blood transfusion. Seven late grade 3-4 complications occurred: four gastrointestinal and two genitourinary, and one patient had ongoing neuropathy. Median progression-free survival was 42.8 months (range 4.4-81.5 months) and median overall survival was 44.9 months (range 5.1-82.6 months). Three-year overall survival was 80%.

CONCLUSION

Concomitant chemotherapy and radiation is an adequately tolerated treatment modality that allows for shorter treatment duration.

A clinical and pathologic comparison between stage-matched endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma and uterine serous carcinoma: is there a difference?

Endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC) is a rare pathologic variant of uterine serous carcinoma (USC). Our aim is to distinguish patterns of clinic-pathologic outcomes in patients with EIC and USC for disease limited to the endometrium (stage 1A) as well as with distant metastasis (stage 4B). Surgically staged patients were retrospectively identified and relevant variables were extracted and compared. Kaplan-Meier was used to generate the survival data. More USC (n = 29) exhibited lymphovascular invasion (stage 4, P = .01) and expressed higher levels of estrogen receptor-α than EIC (P = .0009 and .063 for stages 1 and 4, respectively). The survival is comparable, with 1 recurrence in each group for stage 1A disease. For stage 4 EIC and USC, the progression-free survival (14 vs10 months) and overall survival (19 vs 20 months) are similar to what is previously published. In conclusion, EIC, whether limited to the endometrium, or widely metastatic, imparts similar outcomes and should be treated comparably with stage-matched USC.

Population-based treatment and outcomes of Stage I uterine serous carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is a rare type of endometrial cancer that often recurs in patients with Stage I disease. Our objective was to evaluate treatment and outcomes in Stage I USC in the context of a population-based study.

METHODS

This was a population-based retrospective cohort study of all patients with Stage I USC in British Columbia, Canada from 2004 to 2012. The British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) recommends three cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy followed by pelvic radiotherapy for all women with Stage I USC and any myometrial invasion (Stage IA MI-). If no myometrial invasion (Stage IA MI-), no postoperative treatment is given. Patient and disease characteristics, surgery, adjuvant therapy, recurrence rates and sites, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 127 patients with Stage I USC, 41 were Stage IA MI-, 56 Stage IA MI+, and 30 Stage IB. Median follow-up was 25 months (2-98 months). Five year disease-free survival rates were 80.7%, 74.4%, and 48.5% for Stages IA MI-, IA MI+, and IB, respectively, and recurrence rates according to BCCA guidelines were 10%, 2.9% and 30%, respectively. Of the 18 with recurrences, 13 had a distant component (72.2%). There were no pelvic recurrences among those receiving adjuvant radiotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Our current protocol of observation alone postoperatively for Stage IA MI- and chemoradiotherapy for Stage IA MI+ is associated with a low recurrence rate. In contrast, those with Stage IB USC have a higher recurrence rate despite chemoradiotherapy, and likely require alternate treatment strategies.

Early stage uterine serous carcinoma: management updates and genomic advances

OBJECTIVE

Even in cases of early stage disease, uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is associated with high recurrence rates and a disproportionate number of cancer-related deaths. Prospective data to guide therapy for women with this disease are limited. This article reviews the currently available literature regarding optimal management of women with early stage USC.

METHODS

MEDLINE was searched for all research articles published in the English language from January 1, 1996 through October 30, 2012 in which the studied population included women diagnosed with early stage USC. Although preference was given to prospective studies, studies were not limited by design or numbers of patients in light of the relative paucity of the available literature.

RESULTS

Early stage USC (Stages I-II) is associated with a risk of recurrence that ranges from 0 to 80%, and is related to the amount of residual uterine disease, cervical involvement and adjuvant therapy. Treatment with platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy may decrease the risk of recurrence and may improve survival outcomes; volume directed radiotherapy may also be of benefit. USC highly expresses HER2/neu, a promising and rational target for biologic therapy. Alterations in the PIK3CA/AKT/ mTOR pathway are also of relevance and offer other potential therapeutic targets.

CONCLUSIONS

USC is a unique and biologically aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer, and as such, should be studied as a distinct entity. Prospective trials incorporating traditional chemotherapeutics and radiation as well as targeted therapies are warranted to define the optimal management approach for women with this disease.

Major clinical research advances in gynecologic cancer in 2012

Ten topics were chosen among major clinical research achievements in gynecologic oncology in 2012. For ovarian cancer, comprehensive review of the history of bevacizumab studies was followed by poly adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and other molecular targeted agents such as epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor and AMG 386. For the development of genomic study in gynecologic cancers, BRCA and DICER1 mutations were covered in epithelial and nonepithelial ovarian cancer, respectively. For endometrial cancer, targeted agents including mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors and bevacizumab were discussed. Radiation therapy "sandwiched" between combination chemotherapy schedules for the treatment of uterine papillary serous carcinoma was also reviewed. Preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis, definition of low-risk group, and recurrence and survival outcomes of laparoscopic approaches were addressed. For cervical cancer, we reviewed long-term benefit of human papillomavirus test and efficacy of paclitaxel/carboplatin versus paclitaxel/cisplatin in stage IVB, persistent or recurrent disease. In addition, the effect of three dimensional image-based high-dose rate brachytherapy was also reviewed. For vulvar cancer, the diagnostic value of sentinel lymph node biopsy was discussed. For breast cancer, positive results of three outstanding phase III randomized clinical trials, CLEOPATRA, EMILIA, and BOLERO-2 were introduced. Lastly, updates of major practice guidelines were summarized.

Five-year outcomes of adjuvant carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy and intravaginal radiation for stage I-II papillary serous endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to report our single-institution experience with concurrent adjuvant intravaginal radiation (IVRT) and carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy for early stage uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC).

METHODS

From 10/2000 to 12/2009, 41 women with stage I-II UPSC underwent surgery followed by IVRT (median dose of 21 Gy in 3 fractions) and concurrent carboplatin (AUC=5-6) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) for six planned cycles. IVRT was administered on non-chemotherapy weeks. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate survival, and the log-rank test was used for comparisons.

RESULTS

Median patient age was 67 years (51-80 years). Surgery included hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, peritoneal washings, omental biopsy, and pelvic and paraaortic lymph node sampling. FIGO 2009 stage was IA in 73%, IB in 10%, and II in 17%. Histology was pure serous in 71% of cases. Thirty-five patients (85%) completed all planned treatment. With a median follow-up time of 58 months, the 5-year disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 85% (95%CI, 73-96%) and 90% (95%CI, 80-100%). The 5-year pelvic, para-aortic, and distant recurrence rates were 9%, 5%, and 10%, respectively. There were no vaginal recurrences. Of the 4 pelvic recurrences, 2 were isolated and were successfully salvaged. Patients with stage II disease had lower DFS (71% vs. 88%; p=0.017) and OS (71% vs. 93%; p=0.001) than patients with stage I disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent adjuvant carboplatin/paclitaxel chemotherapy and IVRT provide excellent outcomes for early stage UPSC. Whether this regimen is superior to pelvic radiation will require confirmation from the ongoing randomized trial.

Phase II trial of adjuvant pelvic radiation "sandwiched" between ifosfamide or ifosfamide plus cisplatin in women with uterine carcinosarcoma

OBJECTIVE

Uterine carcinosarcoma (CS) is a rare uterine tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. In the adjuvant setting, efficacy has been shown with radiotherapy (RT), systemic chemotherapy, or both. This is the first report describing the efficacy and toxicity of adjuvant ifosfamide or ifosfamide plus cisplatin "sandwiched" with RT in patients with surgically staged and completely resected uterine carcinosarcoma.

METHODS

Women with surgically staged CS with no gross residual disease were initially administered ifosfamide (1.2 g/m(2)/day×5 days) with cisplatin (20 mg/m(2)/day×5 days) every 3 weeks for 3 cycles followed by pelvic external beam RT and brachytherapy followed by 3 additional cycles of ifosfamide (1.0 g/m2/day) with cisplatin (20 mg/m(2)/day×5 days) every 3 weeks. Similar to the GOG trial in recurrent CS (Sutton et al., 2000), the addition of cisplatin added toxicity without additional efficacy, so mid-study, the cisplatin was eliminated from the regimen. Toxicities were recorded and disease-free survival (DFS) was calculated with Kaplan-Meier statistical methods.

RESULTS

In total, 12 patients received ifosfamide and cisplatin and 15 patients received ifosfamide alone, both 'sandwiched' with RT. The median follow up was 35.9 months (range 6-88). The 2 year DFS was similar in both the ifosfamide/cisplatin and ifosfamide groups (log-rank p=0.16), so they were combined for analysis. 19 patients (70%) completed the protocol. As expected, stage 1 patients had a better 2-year DFS (18.75 ± 1.12 months; log-rank p=0.008 when compared to stages 2, 3, 4). Also, in stages 2, 3 and 4 patients, the DFS was 15.81 ± 1.73 months. Grade 3/4 neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 18%, 4% and 4% of cycles, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Ifosfamide "sandwiched" with RT appears to be an efficacious regimen for surgically staged CS patients with no residual disease, even in patients with advanced stage. The addition of cisplatin to the regimen added toxicity without improving efficacy. Even with ifosfamide alone, the efficacy of this 'sandwich' regimen comes with a moderate but tolerable toxicity profile.