Continuous improvement in primary Debulking surgery for advanced ovarian cancer: Do increased complete gross resection rates independently lead to increased progression-free and overall survival?

ARIA II: a randomized controlled trial of near-infrared Angiography during RectosIgmoid resection and Anastomosis in women with ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer with extensive metastatic disease involving pelvic structures often requires rectosigmoid resection for complete gross resection; however, it is associated with increased surgical morbidity. There are limited data, and none in ovarian cancer, on near-infrared assessment of perfusion in rectosigmoid resections with anastomosis.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

To compare the rate of pelvic complications (pelvic abscesses, anastomotic leaks, and infections) within 30 days of surgery with and without near-infrared assessment of perfusion at time of rectosigmoid resection and re-anastomosis in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer.

STUDY HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesize the use of near-infrared technology (intravenous indocyanine green and endoscopic near-infrared fluorescence imaging), compared with standard intra-operative assessment, to evaluate anastomotic perfusion at time of rectosigmoid resection and re-anastomosis will result in lower rates of post-operative pelvic complications.

TRIAL DESIGN

This is a planned multicenter randomized controlled trial. Patients who undergo rectosigmoid resection as part of their ovarian cytoreductive surgery will be randomized 1:1 to standard assessment of anastomosis with the surgeon's usual technique (control arm) or assessment with near-infrared angiography using indocyanine green and endoscopic fluorescence imaging (experimental arm). Randomization will occur after rectosigmoid resection has been completed and the surgeon declares their plan to create a diverting ostomy. Randomization will be stratified by plan for diverting ostomy.

MAJOR INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA

Main inclusion criteria include patients with primary or recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who are scheduled for cytoreductive surgery with suspected need for low-anterior rectosigmoid resection.

PRIMARY ENDPOINT

Rate of 30-day post-operative pelvic complications.

SAMPLE SIZE

310 (155 per arm) ESTIMATED DATES FOR COMPLETING ACCRUAL AND PRESENTING RESULTS: Q2 2027 and Q4 2027, respectively.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04878094.

Genome-wide association analyses of ovarian cancer patients undergoing primary debulking surgery identify candidate genes for residual disease

Survival from ovarian cancer depends on the resection status after primary surgery. We performed genome-wide association analyses for resection status of 7705 ovarian cancer patients, including 4954 with high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSOC), to identify variants associated with residual disease. The most significant association with resection status was observed for rs72845444, upstream of MGMT, in HGSOC (p = 3.9 × 10-8). In gene-based analyses, PPP2R5C was the most strongly associated gene in HGSOC after stage adjustment. In an independent set of 378 ovarian tumours from the AGO-OVAR 11 study, variants near MGMT and PPP2R5C correlated with methylation and transcript levels, and PPP2R5C mRNA levels predicted progression-free survival in patients with residual disease. MGMT encodes a DNA repair enzyme, and PPP2R5C encodes the B56γ subunit of the PP2A tumour suppressor. Our results link heritable variation at these two loci with resection status in HGSOC.

Extra-abdominal cytoreductive techniques in ovarian cancer: how far can (should) we go?

Complex surgery is an essential component in the management of advanced ovarian cancer. Furthermore, achieving complete gross resection in cytoreductive surgery appears to be associated with significant survival benefits in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The goal of this review is to demonstrate the advancement of surgical techniques in gynecologic oncology surgery, including resection of disease within the intrathoracic and inguinal regions. This progress has expanded the option of surgery to more patients, especially those who would have previously been deemed inoperable. In this review we describe the most notable studies and reports of surgical resection of ovarian cancer involving cardiophrenic/supradiaphragmatic lymph nodes, mediastinum, lung pleura or parenchyma, and the inguinal region. We also describe the growing role that video-assisted thoracic surgery has played in advanced ovarian cancer diagnosis and management. The studies, series, and reports described demonstrate that comprehensive surgical procedures outside of the abdomen or pelvis can be both safe and feasible in properly selected patients. They also suggest that resection of disease outside of the abdomen or pelvis may benefit appropriately selected patients. Future studies are necessary to identify which patients may benefit most from upfront surgery versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy when ovarian cancer metastasis is present in the thoracic or inguinal regions.

Distribution and prognostic role of BRCA status in elderly ovarian cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

In the era of target therapy and personalized medicine, BRCA mutational status has a major influence on survival in ovarian cancer patients. Our aim is to verify if the poorer prognosis of elderly ovarian cancer patients can be related to the biology of the tumor beyond their own morbidities and/or suboptimal treatments.

METHODS

This is a retrospective single-institution study evaluating prognosis of patients with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and known BRCA status. We collected clinical and surgical characteristics and the distribution of BRCA mutational status according to age groups.

RESULTS

1840 patients were included in the analysis. The rate of BRCA mutated decreased over age-range from 49.7% in patients aged <50 years to 18.8% in ≥80 years old women. The prognostic role of BRCA status on survival is maintained when focusing on the elderly population, with improved Disease Free Survival (27.2 months vs 16.5 months for BRCA mutated and wild type respectively, p = 0.001) and Cancer Specific Survival (117.6 months vs 43.1 months for BRCA mutated and wild type respectively, p = 0.001) for BRCAmut compared to BRCAwt patients. In the multivariable analysis, among elderly women, upfront surgery and BRCA mutation are independent factors affecting survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly patients experiment a poorer prognosis due to multiple factors that include both their medical condition and comorbidities, under-treatment and most importantly disease characteristics. We found that beyond disparities, BRCA mutation is still the strongest independent prognostic factor affecting both the risk of recurrence and death due to disease.

Regionalizing ovarian cancer cytoreduction to high-volume centers and the impact on patient travel in New York State

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the theoretical impact of regionalizing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer (OC) to high-volume facilities on patient travel.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified patients with OC who underwent cytoreduction between 1/1/2004-12/31/2018 from the New York State Cancer Registry and Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System. Hospitals were stratified by low-volume (<21 cytoreductive surgical procedures for OC annually) and high-volume centers (≥21 procedures annually). A simulation was performed; outcomes of interest were driving distance and time between the centroid of the patient's residence zip code and the treating facility zip code.

RESULTS

Overall, 60,493 patients met inclusion criteria. Between 2004 and 2018, 210 facilities were performing cytoreductive surgery for OC in New York; 159 facilities (75.7%) met low-volume and 51 (24.3%) met high-volume criteria. Overall, 10,514 patients (17.4%) were treated at low-volume and 49,979 (82.6%) at high-volume facilities. In 2004, 78.2% of patients were treated at high-volume facilities, which increased to 84.6% in 2018 (P < .0001). Median travel distance and time for patients treated at high-volume centers was 12.2 miles (IQR, 5.6-25.5) and 23.0 min (IQR, 15.2-37.0), and 8.2 miles (IQR, 3.7-15.9) and 16.8 min (IQR, 12.4-26.0) for patients treated at low-volume centers. If cytoreductive surgery was centralized to high-volume centers, median distance and time traveled for patients originally treated at low-volume centers would be 11.2 miles (IQR, 3.8-32.3; P < .001) and 20.2 min (IQR, 13.6-43.0; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Centralizing cytoreductive surgery for OC to high-volume centers in New York would increase patient travel burden by negligible amounts of distance and time for most patients.

Collaborative expertise of gynecological and surgical oncologists in managing advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Most patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) present with significant peritoneal spread. We assessed collaborative efforts of surgical and gynecological oncologists with expertise in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in the management of advanced EOC.

METHODS

Using a prospective single-center database (2014-2022), we described the operative and oncologic outcomes of stage IIIC-IVA primary and recurrent EOC perioperatively managed jointly by gynecological and surgical oncologists both specializing in CRS and presented components of this collaboration.

RESULTS

Of 199 identified patients, 132 (66 %) had primary and 53 (27 %) had recurrent EOC. Due to inoperable disease, 14 (7 %) cases were aborted and excluded from analysis. Median peritoneal cancer index (PCI) in primary and recurrent patients was 21 (IQR: 11-28) and 21 (IQR: 6-31). Upper abdominal surgery was required in 95 % (n = 125) of primary and 89 % (n = 47) of recurrent patients. Bowel resections were performed in 83 % (n = 110) and 72 % (n = 38), respectively. Complete cytoreduction (CC-0/1) with no disease or residual lesions <2.5 mm was achieved in 95 % (n = 125) of primary and 91 % (n = 48) of recurrent patients. Ninety-day Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV morbidity was 12 % (n = 16) and 21 % (n = 11), respectively. Median follow-up was 44 (95%CI: 33-55) months. Median overall survival in primary and recurrent EOC was 68 (95%CI: 45-91) and 50 (95%CI: 16-84) months. Median progression-free survival was 26 (95%CI: 22-30) and 14 (95%CI: 7-21) months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative collaboration between surgical and gynecological oncologists specializing in CRS allows safe performance of complete cytoreduction in the majority of patients with primary and recurrent EOC, despite high tumor burden.

Heterogeneity and treatment landscape of ovarian carcinoma

Ovarian carcinoma is characterized by heterogeneity at the molecular, cellular and anatomical levels, both spatially and temporally. This heterogeneity affects response to surgery and/or systemic therapy, and also facilitates inherent and acquired drug resistance. As a consequence, this tumour type is often aggressive and frequently lethal. Ovarian carcinoma is not a single disease entity and comprises various subtypes, each with distinct complex molecular landscapes that change during progression and therapy. The interactions of cancer and stromal cells within the tumour microenvironment further affects disease evolution and response to therapy. In past decades, researchers have characterized the cellular, molecular, microenvironmental and immunological heterogeneity of ovarian carcinoma. Traditional treatment approaches have considered ovarian carcinoma as a single entity. This landscape is slowly changing with the increasing appreciation of heterogeneity and the recognition that delivering ineffective therapies can delay the development of effective personalized approaches as well as potentially change the molecular and cellular characteristics of the tumour, which might lead to additional resistance to subsequent therapy. In this Review we discuss the heterogeneity of ovarian carcinoma, outline the current treatment landscape for this malignancy and highlight potentially effective therapeutic strategies in development.

The Cukurova score in the prediction of primary cytoreduction in ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

Primary debulking surgery has been the preferred surgical route and is still considered a quality indicator for advanced ovarian cancer surgery. However, a significant number of patients are not amenable to upfront surgery. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery may be the most suitable approach for this group. This study aimed to evaluate a novel score for prediction of the cytoreduction results at primary debulking surgery for ovarian cancer patients.

METHODS

This observational prospective study was conducted at a tertiary gynecologic oncology center between December 2020 and August 2022. Presumed primary stage III-IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma cases were included. Borderline tumors, and metastatic or non-epithelial ovarian malignancies, were excluded. Based on imaging findings, points were assigned to each anticipated surgical procedure required for complete cytoreduction. The sum of these points was multiplied by the patient's Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, and thus, the Cukurova-clinic score was established. Furthermore, the required surgical procedures based on laparoscopic evaluation were recorded, and the score was readjusted and calculated to obtain the Cukurova score.

RESULTS

One hundred and fourteen patients were included in the study. Primary debulking surgery was performed in 70% of cases. Among them, complete cytoreduction (Cukurova score ≤12) was obtained in 97.3% of cases. Complete cytoreduction was not achieved in cases with Cukurova score >12. The odds ratio of 90-day mortality was 13.4 for patients with Cukurova score >12, compared with those with Cukurova score ≤12.

CONCLUSION

The Cukurova score is a model for classifying advanced ovarian cancer patients who may be candidates for primary debulking surgery.

Major determinants of survival in recurrent endometrial cancer-the role of secondary cytoreductive surgery: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of the study was to assess the influence of different clinical and therapeutic variables on the oncological outcomes of patients with endometrial cancer relapse. In particular, we evaluated the impact of cytoreductive surgery with the achievement of complete gross resection.

METHODS

This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted in three centers in Italy and including all patients with first relapse of endometrial cancer from January 2010 to December 2021.

RESULTS

Data from 331 women with recurrent endometrial cancer were analyzed. Secondary cytoreductive surgery was performed in 56.2% of cases (186 patients). Complete gross resection was achieved in 178 patients (95.7%). Complete gross resection conferred a statistically significant survival benefit both for post-relapse survival and post-relapse free survival (3 years post-relapse survival: 75.4% vs 56.4%, p<0.001; 3 years post-relapse free survival: 32.6% vs 26.5%, p=0.027). At multivariate Cox regression analysis, age ≥75 years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status ≥2, the advanced-metastatic risk group, complete gross resection, and multiple site relapses were identified as independent significant predictors for post-relapse survival; regarding post-relapse free survival, only age ≥75, the high and advanced-metastatic risk groups, and complete gross resection confirmed their statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Secondary cytoreductive surgery with achievement of complete gross resection was confirmed to be an independent positive predictor for survival in patients with recurrent endometrial cancer and should be considered a valid primary treatment in the therapeutic decision-making process.

An overview of the current debate between using minimally invasive surgery versus laparotomy for interval cytoreductive surgery in epithelial ovarian cancer

The standard of care for treatment of advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer is primarily surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy, with the operative goal to achieve complete gross resection. Cytoreductive surgeries for epithelial ovarian cancer historically were performed via open laparotomy; however, as minimally invasive techniques became more widely accepted within gynecologic oncology, interest in employing this approach in the setting of cytoreductive surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer has grown. The purpose of this review was to examine the current debate between the use of minimally invasive surgery versus laparotomy as an approach to interval cytoreductive surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. While numerous retrospective and feasibility studies have found comparable outcomes with respect to complete gross residual disease, progression-free survival, and overall survival between minimally invasive and laparotomy approaches to interval cytoreductive surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer, methodological challenges limit the utility of these data. Given potential risks of underestimating disease burden and failing to achieve complete resection using a minimally invasive approach, further rigorous studies are needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive surgery in this setting and to better define the subset of patients who would receive the greatest benefit from a minimally invasive approach.

Prognostic Factors and a Predictive Nomogram of Cancer-Specific Survival of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Patients with Pelvic Exenteration Treatment

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore prognostic factors, develop and internally validate a prognostic nomogram model, and predict the cancer-specific survival (CCS) of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients with pelvic exenteration (PE) treatment.

Methods

A total of 454 EOC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were collected according to the inclusion criteria and randomly divided into the training (n = 317) and validation (n = 137) cohorts. Prognostic factors of EOC patients with PE treatment were explored by univariate and multivariate stepwise Cox regression analyses. A predictive nomogram was constructed based on selected risk factors. The predictive power of the constructed nomogram was assessed by the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve stratified by patients' nomoscore was also plotted to assess the risk stratification of the established nomogram. In internal validation, the C index, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were employed to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility of the models, respectively.

Results

In the training cohort, age, histological type, Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, number of examined lymph nodes, and number of positive lymph nodes were found to be independent prognostic factors of postoperative CSS. A practical nomogram model of EOC patients with PE treatment was constructed based on these selected risk factors. Time-dependent ROC curves and KM curves showed the superior predictive capability and excellent clinical stratification of the nomogram in both training and validation cohorts. In the internal validation, the C index, calibration plots, and DCA in the training and validation cohorts confirmed that the nomogram presents a high level of prediction accuracy and clinical applicability.

Conclusion

Our nomogram exhibited satisfactory survival prediction and prognostic discrimination. It is a user-friendly tool with high clinical pragmatism for estimating prognosis and guiding the long-term management of EOC patients with PE treatment.

Graduate and Continuing Medical Education of Placenta Accreta Spectrum

Surgical training experience in obstetrics-gynecology (OB-GYN) residency and fellowship training, particularly in open abdominal surgeries has declined over the last 2 decades. This is due, in part, due to a universal trend toward non-invasive treatments for gynecologic conditions once treated surgically. Management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) often requires complex surgical skills, including, but not limited to highly complex hysterectomy. The decline in surgical case numbers has fallen as the incidence of PAS has risen, which we anticipate will lead to a gap in critical skills needed for graduating obstetrician-gynecologists to able to safely care for people with PAS.

NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging for the Detection and Resection of Cancerous Foci and Lymph Nodes in Early-Stage Orthotopic and Advanced-Stage Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Models

The high mortality rate of ovarian cancer can be primarily attributed to late diagnosis and early lymph node (LN) metastasis. The anatomically deep-located ovaries own intricate anatomical structures and lymphatic drainages that compromise the resolution and sensitivity of near-infrared first-window (NIR-I) fluorescence imaging. Reported NIR-II imaging studies of ovarian cancer focused on late-stage metastasis detection via the intraperitoneal xenograft model. However, given the significant improvement in patient survival associated with early-stage cancer detection, locating tumors that are restricted within the ovary is equally crucial. We obtained the polymer nanoparticles with bright near-infrared-II fluorescence (NIR-II NPs) by nanoprecipitation of DSPE-PEG, one of the ingredients of FDA-approved nanoparticle products, and benzobisthiadiazole, an organic NIR-II dye. The one-step synthesis and safe component lay the groundwork for its clinical translation. Benefiting from the NIR-II emission (∼1060 nm), NIR-II NPs enabled a high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio (13.4) visualization of early-stage orthotopic ovarian tumors with NIR-II fluorescence imaging for the first time. Imaging with orthotopic xenograft allows a more accurate mimic of human ovarian cancer origin, thereby addressing the dilemma of translating existing nanoprobe preclinical research by providing the nano-bio interactions with early local tumor environments. After PEGylation, the desirable-sized probe (∼80 nm) exhibited high lymphophilicity and relatively extended circulation. NIR-II NPs maintained their accurate detection of orthotopic tumors, tumor-regional LNs, and minuscule (<1 mm) disseminated peritoneal metastases simultaneously (with S/N ratios all above 5) in mice with advanced-stage cancer in real time ∼36 h after systematic delivery. With NIR-II fluorescence guidance, we achieved accurate surgical staging in tumor-bearing mice and complete tumor removal comparable to clinical practice, which provides preclinical data for translating NIR-II fluorescence image-guided surgery.

Spatial and temporal intra-tumoral heterogeneity in advanced HGSOC: Implications for surgical and clinical outcomes

Limited evidence exists on the impact of spatial and temporal heterogeneity of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) on tumor evolution, clinical outcomes, and surgical operability. We perform systematic multi-site tumor mapping at presentation and matched relapse from 49 high-tumor-burden patients, operated up front. From SNP array-derived copy-number data, we categorize dendrograms representing tumor clonal evolution as sympodial or dichotomous, noting most chemo-resistant patients favor simpler sympodial evolution. Three distinct tumor evolutionary patterns from primary to relapse are identified, demonstrating recurrent disease may emerge from pre-existing or newly detected clones. Crucially, we identify spatial heterogeneity for clinically actionable homologous recombination deficiency scores and for poor prognosis biomarkers CCNE1 and MYC. Copy-number signature, phenotypic, proteomic, and proliferative-index heterogeneity further highlight HGSOC complexity. This study explores HGSOC evolution and dissemination across space and time, its impact on optimal surgical cytoreductive effort and clinical outcomes, and its consequences for clinical decision-making.

Use of Period Analysis to Timely Assess Five-Year Relative Survival for Patients with Ovarian Cancer from Taizhou, Eastern China

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian cancer is a deadly gynecologic malignancy with a poor prognosis. It is essential to evaluate the early detection and screening programs of ovarian cancer via timely assessment of long-time survival, particularly in China where those data are incredibly limited. Here, we aimed to provide timely and accurately assessment of long-term survival estimate of ovarian cancer patients from eastern China.

METHODS

Data of 770 ovarian cancer patients diagnosed between 2004-2018 were obtained from four cancer registries in Taizhou, eastern China, were included. We used period analysis to calculate five-year relative survival (RS) of aforementioned ovarian cancer patients for overall and the stratification by age at diagnosis and region.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrated that the overall five-year RS for ovarian cancer patients in Taizhou between 2014 and 2018 was 69.2%, while urban areas were higher compared to rural areas (77.6% vs. 64.9%). We also observed a significant age gradient with the five-year RS decreasing from 79.6% for age group < 55 years to 66.9% for age group > 74 years. Furthermore, we identified a clear upward trend of five-year RS over the study period, both overall and stratified by region and age at diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study in China using period analysis to provide the most up-to-date five-year RS for ovarian cancer patients from Taizhou, eastern China, which reaches 69.2% during 2014-2018. Our results provide valuable information for timely assessment of early detection and screening programs for ovarian cancer in eastern China.

Cross-sectional survey of surgical practices among gynecologic oncologists in the United States

OBJECTIVE

We sought to document current surgical practices among gynecologic oncologists in the United States.

METHODS

In March/April 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology to identify gynecologic oncology practice trends in the United States. The survey collected demographic data and queried participants on types of surgical procedures performed and chemotherapy use. Univariant and multivariant analyses were used to evaluate the association between surgeon practice type, region of practice, working with gynecologic oncology fellows, time in practice, and dominant surgical modality of practice on performance of specific procedures.

RESULTS

Among 1199 gynecologic oncology surgeons who were emailed the survey, 724 completed the survey (60.4% response rate). Of these respondents, 170 (23.5%) were within 6 years of fellowship graduation, 368 (50.8%) identified as female; and 479 (66.2%) worked in an academic setting. Surgeons who worked with gynecologic oncology fellows were more likely to perform bowel surgery, upper abdominal surgery, complex upper abdominal surgery, and prescribe chemotherapy. Surgeons who were ≥ 13 years out from fellowship graduation were more likely to perform bowel surgery and complex abdominal surgery and less likely to prescribe chemotherapy and perform sentinel lymph node dissections (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the variation in surgical procedures performed by gynecologic oncologists in the United States. These data support that there are practice variations that would benefit from further investigation.

Intrathoracic surgery as part of primary cytoreduction for advanced ovarian cancer: Going to the next level - A Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center study

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the feasibility, safety, and survival outcomes of intrathoracic cytoreduction during primary debulking surgery (PDS) for advanced ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We conducted a database review of patients with stage IIIB-IV ovarian (including fallopian tube and primary peritoneal) carcinoma who underwent PDS at our institution from 01/01/2006-9/30/2021. Patients who underwent intrathoracic cytoreduction as part of primary treatment were included. Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or surgery for reasons other than cytoreduction were excluded.

RESULTS

Among 178 patients identified for inclusion, complete gross resection (CGR) in the abdomen and thorax was achieved in 131 (74%); 45 (25%) had optimal cytoreduction, and 2 (1%) had suboptimal cytoreduction. Thirty-one patients (17%) had at least one grade ≥ 3 complication; 8 were possibly related to intrathoracic cytoreduction. There were no deaths within 30 days following surgery. Median length of follow-up among survivors was 53.4 months. Among all patients, the median PFS was 33.6 months (95% CI: 24.7-61.9) and the 3-year PFS rate was 48.9% (95% CI: 41.2%-56.2%). Median OS was 81.3 months (95% CI: 68.9-103). When stratified by residual disease status, median PFS was 51.8 months when CGR was achieved versus 16.7 months with residual disease (HR: 2.17; P < .001) and median OS was 97.6 months when CGR was achieved versus 65.9 months with residual disease (HR: 2.05; P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

Intrathoracic cytoreduction during PDS for advanced ovarian cancer is both safe and feasible. CGR can be achieved in patients with intrathoracic disease if properly selected, and could significantly improve both PFS and OS.

Ten-year conditional probability of survival for patients with ovarian cancer: A new metric tailored to Long-term survivors

OBJECTIVES

We assessed a conditional probability of survival (CPS) model to determine the probability of living 10 years after ovarian cancer diagnosis after having already survived 5 years.

METHODS

We identified patients newly diagnosed with high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer from 1/1/2001-12/31/2009 and treated at our institution. Patients with <3 years follow-up were excluded. CPS was defined as the probability of surviving additional years (y) based on the condition a patient had already survived a given time (x): S(x + y)/S(x). Confidence intervals were estimated using a variation of Greenwood's formula.

RESULTS

Of 916 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 473 (52%) were diagnosed from 2001 to 2005 and 443 (48%) from 2006 to 2009. Median age at diagnosis was 60 years (range, 25-95). The conventional 10-year OS rate for all patients was 29% (95% CI: 26%-32%)-75% (95% CI: 68%-82%) for stage I/II disease, 22% (95% CI: 19%-26%) for stage III, and 6.9% (95% CI: 3.9%-12%) for stage IV. For patients <65 years, the 10-year CPS for 5-year survivors was 65% (95% CI: 59%-70%); for those ≥65 years, it was 48% (95% CI: 38%-57%). For patients <65 years, the 10-year CPS for 5-year survivors by stage was: stage I/II, 89% (95% CI: 81%-94%); stage III, 58% (95% CI: 50%-66%); and stage IV, 26% (95% CI: 12%-42%). For patients ≥65 years, rates by stage were 78% (95% CI: 53%-91%), 42% (95% CI: 30%-53%), and 29% (95% CI: 7%-56%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

For long-term survivors with high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer, CPS provides better prediction of survival than conventional methods.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Pathway of Advanced Ovarian Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases

Over two thirds of ovarian cancer patients present with advanced stage disease at the time of diagnosis. In this scenario, standard treatment includes a combination of cytoreductive surgery and carboplatinum-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. Despite the survival advantage of patients treated with upfront cytoreductive surgery compared to women undergoing neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and interval debulking surgery (IDS) due to high tumor load or poor performance status has been demonstrated by multiple studies, this topic is still a matter of debate. As a consequence, selecting the adequate treatment through an appropriate diagnostic pathway represents a crucial step. Aiming to assess the likelihood of leaving no residual disease at the end of surgery, the role of the CT scan as a predictor of cytoreductive outcomes has shown controversial results. Similarly, CA 125 level as an expression of tumor load demonstrated limited applicability. On the contrary, laparoscopic assessment of disease distribution through a validated scoring system was able to identify, with the highest specificity, patients undergoing suboptimal cytoreduction and therefore best suitable for NACT-IDS. Against this background, with this article, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of available evidence on the diagnostic and treatment pathways of advanced ovarian cancer.

Residual Disease Threshold After Primary Surgical Treatment for Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer, Part 1: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

We present a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) that is the precursor underpinning the Bayesian analyses that adjust for publication bias, presented in the same edition in AJT. The review assesses optimal cytoreduction for women undergoing primary advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) surgery.

AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY

To assess the impact of residual disease (RD) after primary debulking surgery in women with advanced EOC. This review explores the impact of leaving varying levels of primary debulking surgery.

DATA SOURCES

We conducted a systematic review and random-effects NMA for overall survival (OS) to incorporate direct and indirect estimates of RD thresholds, including concurrent comparative, retrospective studies of ≥100 adult women (18+ years) with surgically staged advanced EOC (FIGO stage III/IV) who had confirmed histological diagnoses of ovarian cancer. Pairwise meta-analyses of all directly compared RD thresholds was previously performed before conducting this NMA, and the statistical heterogeneity of studies within each comparison was evaluated using recommended methods.

THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES

Twenty-five studies (n = 20,927) were included. Analyses demonstrated the prognostic importance of complete cytoreduction to no macroscopic residual disease (NMRD), with a hazard ratio for OS of 2.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.8-2.2) for <1 cm RD threshold versus NMRD. NMRD was associated with prolonged survival across all RD thresholds. Leaving NMRD was predicted to provide longest survival (probability of being best = 99%). The results were robust to sensitivity analysis including only those studies that adjusted for extent of disease at primary surgery (hazard ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval, 1.9-2.6). The overall certainty of evidence was moderate and statistical adjustment of effect estimates in included studies minimized bias.

CONCLUSIONS

The results confirm a strong association between complete cytoreduction to NMRD and improved OS. The NMA approach forms part of the methods guidance underpinning policy making in many jurisdictions. Our analyses present an extension to the previous work in this area.

Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and HIPEC for Advanced Ovarian Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases: Italian PSM Oncoteam Evidence and Study Purposes

Ovarian cancer is the eighth most common neoplasm in women with a high mortality rate mainly due to a marked propensity for peritoneal spread directly at diagnosis, as well as tumor recurrence after radical surgical treatment. Treatments for peritoneal metastases have to be designed from a patient's perspective and focus on meaningful measures of benefit. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), a strategy combining maximal cytoreductive surgery with regional chemotherapy, has been proposed to treat advanced ovarian cancer. Preliminary results to date have shown promising results, with improved survival outcomes and tumor regression. As knowledge about the disease process increases, practice guidelines will continue to evolve. In this review, we have reported a broad overview of advanced ovarian cancer management, and an update of the current evidence. The future perspectives of the Italian Society of Surgical Oncology (SICO) are discussed conclusively.

Updates on fluorescent probes and open-field imaging methods for fluorescence-guided cytoreductive surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer: A review

Fluorescence-guided surgery has emerged as a promising imaging technique for real-time intraoperative tumour delineation and visualisation of submillimetre tumour masses in cytoreductive surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Researchers have developed several EOC-targeted fluorescent probes, most of which are currently in the preclinical stage. Interestingly, imaging devices designed for open surgery are proof of concept. This review summarises the recent advances in EOC-targeted fluorescent probes and open-field fluorescence imaging strategies and discusses the challenges and potential solutions for clinical translation.

Progress in surgical oncology: Gynecology perspective

Since its founding in 1884, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) has set standards of care in gynecologic oncology. Over time, the MSK treatment approach evolved into an effort of gynecologic oncology experts across disciplines. As the anatomic field of gynecologic oncology surgery expanded beyond the pelvis, experts in other fields of cancer care, including our hepatobiliary and thoracic colleagues, joined this interprofessional effort. Here, we describe recent, key contributions to surgical gynecologic oncology by the Gynecology Service at MSK.

Impact of residual disease as a prognostic factor for survival in women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer after primary surgery

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women and a leading cause of death from gynaecological malignancies. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type, accounting for around 90% of all ovarian cancers. This specific type of ovarian cancer starts in the surface layer covering the ovary or lining of the fallopian tube. Surgery is performed either before chemotherapy (upfront or primary debulking surgery (PDS)) or in the middle of a course of treatment with chemotherapy (neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and interval debulking surgery (IDS)), with the aim of removing all visible tumour and achieving no macroscopic residual disease (NMRD). The aim of this review is to investigate the prognostic impact of size of residual disease nodules (RD) in women who received upfront or interval cytoreductive surgery for advanced (stage III and IV) epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

OBJECTIVES

To assess the prognostic impact of residual disease after primary surgery on survival outcomes for advanced (stage III and IV) epithelial ovarian cancer. In separate analyses, primary surgery included both upfront primary debulking surgery (PDS) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS). Each residual disease threshold is considered as a separate prognostic factor.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL (2021, Issue 8), MEDLINE via Ovid (to 30 August 2021) and Embase via Ovid (to 30 August 2021).

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included survival data from studies of at least 100 women with advanced EOC after primary surgery. Residual disease was assessed as a prognostic factor in multivariate prognostic models. We excluded studies that reported fewer than 100 women, women with concurrent malignancies or studies that only reported unadjusted results. Women were included into two distinct groups: those who received PDS followed by platinum-based chemotherapy and those who received IDS, analysed separately. We included studies that reported all RD thresholds after surgery, but the main thresholds of interest were microscopic RD (labelled NMRD), RD 0.1 cm to 1 cm (small-volume residual disease (SVRD)) and RD > 1 cm (large-volume residual disease (LVRD)).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias. Where possible, we synthesised the data in meta-analysis. To assess the adequacy of adjustment factors used in multivariate Cox models, we used the 'adjustment for other prognostic factors' and 'statistical analysis and reporting' domains of the quality in prognosis studies (QUIPS) tool. We also made judgements about the certainty of the evidence for each outcome in the main comparisons, using GRADE. We examined differences between FIGO stages III and IV for different thresholds of RD after primary surgery. We considered factors such as age, grade, length of follow-up, type and experience of surgeon, and type of surgery in the interpretation of any heterogeneity. We also performed sensitivity analyses that distinguished between studies that included NMRD in RD categories of < 1 cm and those that did not. This was applicable to comparisons involving RD < 1 cm with the exception of RD < 1 cm versus NMRD. We evaluated women undergoing PDS and IDS in separate analyses.

MAIN RESULTS

We found 46 studies reporting multivariate prognostic analyses, including RD as a prognostic factor, which met our inclusion criteria: 22,376 women who underwent PDS and 3697 who underwent IDS, all with varying levels of RD. While we identified a range of different RD thresholds, we mainly report on comparisons that are the focus of a key area of clinical uncertainty (involving NMRD, SVRD and LVRD). The comparison involving any visible disease (RD > 0 cm) and NMRD was also important. SVRD versus NMRD in a PDS setting In PDS studies, most showed an increased risk of death in all RD groups when those with macroscopic RD (MRD) were compared to NMRD. Women who had SVRD after PDS had more than twice the risk of death compared to women with NMRD (hazard ratio (HR) 2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.80 to 2.29; I2 = 50%; 17 studies; 9404 participants; moderate-certainty). The analysis of progression-free survival found that women who had SVRD after PDS had nearly twice the risk of death compared to women with NMRD (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.63 to 2.16; I2 = 63%; 10 studies; 6596 participants; moderate-certainty). LVRD versus SVRD in a PDS setting When we compared LVRD versus SVRD following surgery, the estimates were attenuated compared to NMRD comparisons. All analyses showed an overall survival benefit in women who had RD < 1 cm after surgery (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.32; I2 = 0%; 5 studies; 6000 participants; moderate-certainty). The results were robust to analyses of progression-free survival. SVRD and LVRD versus NMRD in an IDS setting The one study that defined the categories as NMRD, SVRD and LVRD showed that women who had SVRD and LVRD after IDS had more than twice the risk of death compared to women who had NMRD (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.20 to 3.66; 310 participants; I2 = 56%, and HR 2.23, 95% CI 1.49 to 3.34; 343 participants; I2 = 35%; very low-certainty, for SVRD versus NMRD and LVRD versus NMRD, respectively). LVRD versus SVRD + NMRD in an IDS setting Meta-analysis found that women who had LVRD had a greater risk of death and disease progression compared to women who had either SVRD or NMRD (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.21 to 2.11; 6 studies; 1572 participants; I2 = 58% for overall survival and HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.52; 1145 participants; I2 = 60% for progression-free survival; very low-certainty). However, this result is biased as in all but one study it was not possible to distinguish NMRD within the < 1 cm thresholds. Only one study separated NMRD from SVRD; all others included NMRD in the SVRD group, which may create bias when comparing with LVRD, making interpretation challenging. MRD versus NMRD in an IDS setting Women who had any amount of MRD after IDS had more than twice the risk of death compared to women with NMRD (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.35 to 3.29, I2 = 81%; 906 participants; very low-certainty).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

In a PDS setting, there is moderate-certainty evidence that the amount of RD after primary surgery is a prognostic factor for overall and progression-free survival in women with advanced ovarian cancer. We separated our analysis into three distinct categories for the survival outcome including NMRD, SVRD and LVRD. After IDS, there may be only two categories required, although this is based on very low-certainty evidence, as all but one study included NMRD in the SVRD category. The one study that separated NMRD from SVRD showed no improved survival outcome in the SVRD category, compared to LVRD. Further low-certainty evidence also supported restricting to two categories, where women who had any amount of MRD after IDS had a significantly greater risk of death compared to women with NMRD. Therefore, the evidence presented in this review cannot conclude that using three categories applies in an IDS setting (very low-certainty evidence), as was supported for PDS (which has convincing moderate-certainty evidence).

High expression of CD8 in the tumor microenvironment is associated with PD-1 expression and patient survival in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Objective:

The current study assesses programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor expression and CD3, CD4, and CD8 tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and associates our results with neoadjuvant chemotherapy history and disease prognosis.

Materials and Methods:

We included cases diagnosed with primary HGSOC with biopsy or surgical resection materials in this study. The immunoreactivity of CD3, CD4, CD8, and PD1 was assessed immunohistochemically in tumor tissue. We analyzed TILs in two predetermined groups of high and low TIL. The relationships between clinical characteristics, PD-1, and TIL were assessed. by the χ⁽²⁾ test or Fisher’s Exact test. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model to the connection between survival and the amounts of TIL, and PD1.

Results:

Univariate analysis demonstrated that optimal debulking (p<0.001), early International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (p=0.046), and higher scores of stromal CD8+ TIL expression (p=0.028) in tumor cells were all substantially correlated with longer disease-free survival (DFS), whereas the remaining variables analyzed, including PD-1 positivity, stromal CD3+, and CD4+ TILs, and intraepithelial CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ TILs, were not correlated with DFS. Also, univariate analysis revealed that optimal debulking (p=0.010), and higher scores of stromal CD8+ TIL expression (p=0.021) in tumor cells were all substantially correlated with longer overall survival (OS).

Conclusion:

Higher scores of stromal CD8+ TILs are substantially correlated with DFS and OS in univariate analyses, whereas scores of stromal CD3+ and CD4+ TILs, and intraepithelial CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ TILs are not correlated with DFS and OS in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Also, we found a significant association between PD-1 positivity and the scores of stromal CD3+ TILs and intraepithelial CD8+ TILs. However, no remarkable relationship was revealed between PD-1 positivity and the survival of HGSOC cases.

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) predictive score for complete resection in primary cytoreductive surgery

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of preoperative 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scan, combined with clinical variables, in predicting complete cytoreduction in selected patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We carried out a multicenter, observational, retrospective study evaluating patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer in two Spanish centers between January 2017 and January 2022. Inclusion criteria were histological confirmation of invasive epithelial ovarian carcinoma; preoperative International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III or IV; upfront cytoreductive surgery; and 18F-FDG PET/CT performed 1 month prior to surgery. A modified 18F-FDG PET/CT peritoneal cancer index score was calculated for all patients. Clinical variables and preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT findings were analyzed and a multivariate model was constructed. A predictive score based on the odds ratio of the variables was calculated to determine patient selection.

RESULTS

A total of 45 patients underwent primary cytoreductive surgery. Complete resection was achieved in 36 (80%) patients. On multivariate analysis, two clinical variables (age ≥58 years and American Society of Anesthesiology score ≥3) and two preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT scan findings (presence of extra-abdominal lymph node involvement and modified peritoneal cancer index value of 6 or more) were associated with gross residual disease. For this multivariate model predictive of non-complete cytoreduction, the area under the curve was 0.881. A predictive value of ≥5 was the most predictive cut-off for gross residual disease. Complete resection rate was 91.7% in patients with a score of ≤4 and 33.3% in patients with a score of ≥5 points on the predictive score.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients, a predictive score value ≥5 may be consider as a cut-off point for triaging patients to diagnostic laparoscopy before the primary surgery or neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Investigating the Impact of Ultra-Radical Surgery on Survival in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Using Population-Based Data in a Multicentre UK Study

We investigated URS and impact on survival in whole patient cohorts with AOC treated within gynaecological cancer centres that participated in the previously presented SOCQER 2 study. National cancer registry datasets were used to identify FIGO Stage 3,4 and unknown stage patients from 11 cancer centres that had previously participated in the SOCQER2 study. Patient outcomes’ association with surgical ethos were evaluated using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards. Centres were classified into three groups based on their surgical complexity scores (SCS); those practicing mainly low complexity, (5/11 centres with >70% low SCS procedures, 759 patients), mainly intermediate (3/11, 35−50% low SCS, 356 patients), or mainly high complexity surgery (3/11, >35% high SCS, 356 patients). Surgery rates were 43.2% vs. 58.4% vs. 60.9%. across mainly low, intermediate and high SCS centres, respectively, p < 0.001. Combined surgery and chemotherapy rates were 39.2% vs. 51.8% vs. 38.3% p < 0.000 across mainly low, intermediate and high complexity groups, respectively. Median survival was 23.1 (95% CI 19.0 to 27.2) vs. 22.0 (95% CI 17.6 to 26.3) vs. 17.9 months (95% CI 15.7 to 20.1), p = 0.043 in mainly high SCS, intermediate, and low SCS centres, respectively. In an age and deprivation adjusted model, compared to patients in the high SCS centres, patients in the low SCS group had an HR of 1.21 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.40) for death. Mainly high/intermediate SCS centres have significantly higher surgery rates and better survival at a population level. Centres that practice mainly low complexity surgery should change practice. This study provides support for the utilization of URS for patients with advanced OC.

Surgery in Advanced Ovary Cancer: Primary versus Interval Cytoreduction

Primary debulking surgery (PDS) has remained the only treatment of ovarian cancer with survival advantage since its development in the 1970s. However, survival advantage is only observed in patients who are optimally resected. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has emerged as an alternative for patients in whom optimal resection is unlikely and/or patients with comorbidities at high risk for perioperative complications. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence to date for PDS and NACT in the treatment of stage III/IV ovarian carcinoma. We systematically searched the PubMed database for relevant articles. Prior to 2010, NACT was reserved for non-surgical candidates. After publication of EORTC 55971, the first randomized trial demonstrating non-inferiority of NACT followed by interval debulking surgery, NACT was considered in a wider breadth of patients. Since EORTC 55971, 3 randomized trials—CHORUS, JCOG0602, and SCORPION—have studied NACT versus PDS. While CHORUS supported EORTC 55971, JCOG0602 failed to demonstrate non-inferiority and SCORPION failed to demonstrate superiority of NACT. Despite conflicting data, a subset of patients would benefit from NACT while preserving survival including poor surgical candidates and inoperable disease. Further randomized trials are needed to assess the role of NACT.

Machine Learning-Based Risk Prediction of Critical Care Unit Admission for Advanced Stage High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Patients Undergoing Cytoreductive Surgery: The Leeds-Natal Score

Achieving complete surgical cytoreduction in advanced stage high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) patients warrants an availability of Critical Care Unit (CCU) beds. Machine Learning (ML) could be helpful in monitoring CCU admissions to improve standards of care. We aimed to improve the accuracy of predicting CCU admission in HGSOC patients by ML algorithms and developed an ML-based predictive score. A cohort of 291 advanced stage HGSOC patients with fully curated data was selected. Several linear and non-linear distances, and quadratic discriminant ML methods, were employed to derive prediction information for CCU admission. When all the variables were included in the model, the prediction accuracies were higher for linear discriminant (0.90) and quadratic discriminant (0.93) methods compared with conventional logistic regression (0.84). Feature selection identified pre-treatment albumin, surgical complexity score, estimated blood loss, operative time, and bowel resection with stoma as the most significant prediction features. The real-time prediction accuracy of the Graphical User Interface CCU calculator reached 95%. Limited, potentially modifiable, mostly intra-operative factors contributing to CCU admission were identified and suggest areas for targeted interventions. The accurate quantification of CCU admission patterns is critical information when counseling patients about peri-operative risks related to their cytoreductive surgery.

Efficacy of maintenance olaparib plus bevacizumab according to clinical risk in patients with newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer in the phase III PAOLA-1/ENGOT-ov25 trial

OBJECTIVES

Adding maintenance olaparib to bevacizumab provided a significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in patients with newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer in the randomized, double-blind PAOLA-1/ENGOT-ov25 trial (NCT02477644). We analyzed PFS by clinical risk and biomarker status.

METHODS

Patients received olaparib 300 mg twice daily for up to 24 months plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks for up to 15 months in total, or placebo plus bevacizumab. This post hoc exploratory analysis evaluated PFS in patients classified as higher risk (stage III with upfront surgery and residual disease or neoadjuvant chemotherapy; stage IV) or lower risk (stage III with upfront surgery and no residual disease), and by biomarker status.

RESULTS

Of 806 randomized patients, 74% were higher risk and 26% were lower risk. After a median 22.9 months of follow-up, PFS favored olaparib plus bevacizumab versus placebo plus bevacizumab in higher-risk patients (hazard ratio [HR] 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49-0.74) and lower-risk patients (0.46; 0.30-0.72). Olaparib plus bevacizumab provided a substantial PFS benefit versus bevacizumab alone in the homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive subgroup (higher risk: HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.28-0.54 and lower risk: 0.15; 0.07-0.30), with 24-month PFS rates in lower-risk patients of 90% versus 43%, respectively (Kaplan-Meier estimates).

CONCLUSIONS

In PAOLA-1, maintenance olaparib plus bevacizumab provided a substantial PFS benefit in HRD-positive patients with a reduction of risk of progression or death of 61% in the higher-risk group and of 85% in the lower-risk group compared with bevacizumab alone.

Maintenance Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Advanced Ovarian Cancer: Time for a Paradigm Shift?

Recent data have demonstrated substantial efficacy with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors as treatment and/or maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Here, we review efficacy and safety results from four recent Phase III trials in newly diagnosed EOC: SOLO1 (olaparib), PAOLA-1 (olaparib in combination with bevacizumab), PRIMA (niraparib), and VELIA (veliparib). The implications of these data for current clinical practice and areas for future research are discussed, including ongoing studies of targeted agents in the newly diagnosed setting. Data from SOLO1, PAOLA-1, PRIMA, and VELIA confirm the benefit of PARP inhibitors (olaparib, niraparib, veliparib) for women with newly diagnosed EOC. The greatest benefit was seen in patients with a BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutation or in the homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-test positive subgroup. These four well-conducted studies have generated practice-changing data. However, deciding how to apply these results in clinical practice is challenging, and substantial differences in trial design impede cross-trial comparisons. Recent PARP inhibitor approvals (olaparib, niraparib) in the newly diagnosed EOC setting have provided new maintenance treatment options for a broader patient population. The results of these studies call for personalized medicine based on biomarker profile and other factors, including tolerability, cost considerations, and physician and patient preference. Important areas for future research include appropriate use of both BRCA mutation and HRD testing to inform magnitude of PARP inhibitor benefit as well as exploring further options for patients who are HRD-test negative and for those who become PARP inhibitor resistant.

Postoperative outcomes of primary and interval cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer registered in the Dutch Gynecological Oncology Audit (DGOA)

OBJECTIVES

The challenge when performing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) is to balance the benefits and risks. The aim of this study was to report short term postoperative morbidity and mortality in relation to surgical outcome in patients undergoing primary debulking surgery (PDS) or interval debulking (IDS) surgery in the Netherlands.

METHODS

The Dutch Gynecological Oncology Audit (DGOA) was used for retrospective analysis. Patients undergoing PDS or IDS between January 1st, 2015 - December 31st, 2018 were included. Outcome was frequency of postoperative complications. Median time to adjuvant chemotherapy and severity of complications were related to outcome of CRS. Complications with Clavien-Dindo ≥3 were analyzed per region and case mix corrected. Statistical analysis was performed with R.Studio.

RESULTS

1027 patients with PDS and 1355 patients with IDS were included. Complications with re-invention were significantly higher in PDS compared to IDS (5.7% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.048). Complete cytoreduction was 69.7% in PDS and 62.1% IDS, p < 0.001. Time to adjuvant chemotherapy was 49 days in patients with complete CRS and a complication with re-intervention. Regional variation for severe complications showed one region outside confidence intervals.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher complete cytoreduction rate in the PDS group indicates that the correct patients have been selected, but is associated with a higher percentage of complication with re-intervention. As result, time to start adjuvant chemotherapy is longer in this group. Maintaining a balance in aggressiveness of surgery and outcome of the surgical procedure with respect to severe complications is underlined. Bench marked data should be discussed nationally to improve this balance.

Prognostic image-based quantification of CD8CD103 T cell subsets in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients

CD103-positive tissue resident memory-like CD8+ T cells (CD8CD103 TRM) are associated with improved prognosis across malignancies, including high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). However, whether quantification of CD8, CD103 or both is required to improve existing survival prediction and whether all HGSOC patients or only specific subgroups of patients benefit from infiltration, remains unclear. To address this question, we applied image-based quantification of CD8 and CD103 multiplex immunohistochemistry in the intratumoral and stromal compartments of 268 advanced-stage HGSOC patients from two independent clinical institutions. Infiltration of CD8CD103 immune cell subsets was independent of clinicopathological factors. Our results suggest CD8CD103 TRM quantification as a superior method for prognostication compared to single CD8 or CD103 quantification. A survival benefit of CD8CD103 TRM was observed only in patients treated with primary cytoreductive surgery. Moreover, survival benefit in this group was limited to patients with no macroscopic tumor lesions after surgery. This approach provides novel insights into prognostic stratification of HGSOC patients and may contribute to personalized treatment strategies in the future.

Frailty based on the memorial Sloan Kettering Frailty Index is associated with surgical decision making, clinical trial participation, and overall survival among older women with ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether the Memorial Sloan Kettering Frailty Index (MSK-FI) is associated with decision-making in older women surgically treated for advanced-stage ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively applied the MSK-FI to women ≥70 years with newly diagnosed advanced-stage ovarian cancer surgically treated at our institution from 01/2001-05/2017. MSK-FI components, including 10 comorbidities and functional assessment, were extracted from medical records. The MSK-FI ranges from 0 to 11, with higher scores indicating greater frailty. The primary outcome was the association between frailty and rate of primary debulking surgery (PDS), for which a multivariable logistic regression was used, adjusted for stage and histology.

RESULTS

We identified 430 women treated with PDS (n = 231, 54%) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy/interval debulking (n = 199, 46%) with complete data. MSK-FI score distribution was: "0", 95 patients (22%); "1", 172 (40%); "2", 89 (21%); and "3+", 74 (17%). More-frail patients were less likely to have undergone PDS (OR for a unit increase of MSK-FI: 0.64; 95%CI, 0.53-0.77; p < 0.0001). Grade 3+ complications and unintended intensive care admission occurred in 40 (9%) and 38 (9%) women, respectively, but were not associated with frailty (OR 1.21; 95%CI, 0.96-1.52; p = 0.11). More-frail patients were more likely to delay postoperative chemotherapy (non-linear association p = 0.009) and less likely to enroll in research (OR 0.84; 95%CI, 0.70-1.00; p = 0.049). Greater frailty was associated with poorer overall survival (HR 1.16; 95%CI, 1.05-1.30; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty, as calculated by the MSK-FI, is strongly associated with treatment approach in older women with advanced ovarian cancer, suggesting objective or subjective correlates of the MSK-FI influence decision-making.

Assessment of peritoneal metastases with DW-MRI, CT, and FDG PET/CT before cytoreductive surgery for advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Preoperative assessment of peritoneal metastases is an important factor for treatment planning and selection of candidates for cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in primary advanced stage (FIGO stages III-IV) epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The primary aim was to evaluate the efficacy of DW-MRI, CT, and FDG PET/CT used for preoperative assessment of peritoneal cancer index (PCI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this prospective observational cohort study, 50 advanced stage EOC patients were examined with DW-MRI and FDG PET/CT with contrast enhanced CT as part of the diagnostic program. All patients were deemed amenable for upfront CRS. Imaging PCI was determined for DW-MRI, CT, and FDG PET/CT by separate readers blinded to the surgical findings. The primary outcome was agreement between the imaging PCI and PCI determined at surgical exploration (the reference standard) evaluated with Bland-Altman statistics.

RESULTS

The median surgical PCI was 18 (range: 3-32). For all three imaging modalities, the imaging PCI most often underestimated the surgical PCI. The mean differences between the surgical PCI and the imaging PCI were 4.2 (95% CI: 2.6-5.8) for CT, 4.4 (95% CI: 2.9-5.8) for DW-MRI, and 5.3 (95% CI: 3.6-7.0) for FDG PET/CT, and no overall statistically significant differences were found between the imaging modalities (DW-MRI - CT, p = 0.83; DW-MRI - FDG PET/CT, p = 0.24; CT - FDG PET/CT, p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Neither DW-MRI nor CT nor FDG PET/CT was superior in preoperative assessment of the surgical PCI in patients scheduled for upfront CRS for advanced stage EOC.

Appropriate triage allows aggressive primary debulking surgery with rates of morbidity and mortality comparable to interval surgery after chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Morbidity and mortality (M/M) after primary debulking surgery (PDS) is often cited as a rationale for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery (IDS). We tested if using an evidence-based algorithm to identify patients fit for surgery would reduce M/M after PDS to that seen after IDS.

METHODS

We included women who underwent PDS or IDS for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) (1/2012-7/2016) guided by the use of a prospective triage algorithm. Outcomes were compared after applying inverse-probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to adjust for covariate imbalance.

RESULTS

Of 334 included patients, 232 (69.5%) underwent PDS and 102 (30.5%) were triaged to IDS. Relative to IDS group, PDS patients were younger (63.9 vs 67.5 years, P=0.01), were less likely to have low albumin (16.8% vs. 32.4%, P<0.001), had longer median operative times (315 vs 263 min, P <0.001), more high complexity surgeries and fewer low complexity surgeries (27.2% vs. 11.8% and 18.5% vs 36.3% respectively, P<0.001). The rates of the following outcomes were comparable for PDS and IDS, respectively: successful cytoreduction (complete, 62.5% vs 66.7%, P=0.47 and optimal, 95.3% vs 98.0%, P=0.36), 30-day grade 3+ complications (IPTW-adjusted 18.3% vs. 12.9%, P=0.22), 90-day mortality (IPTW-adjusted, 2.2% vs. 3.8%, P=0.42), length of hospitalization (P=0.29), and postoperative chemotherapy delivery (P=0.83). 3-year overall survival was higher for PDS group (IPTW-adjusted 64.1% vs. 42.6%, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of our validated triage strategy allowed us to offer 70% of women with advanced EOC PDS surgery. Despite more complex surgery, M/M after this approach is low and comparable to IDS, with similar rates of complete resection and superior OS. Use of a validated triage system should be utilized when considering PDS vs neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Acute pericarditis after transabdominal cardiophrenic lymph node dissection and pericardotomy during ovarian cancer debulking surgery: A case report

•Complete gross resection as part of debulking surgery is crucial in advanced ovarian cancer.•Supradiaphragmatic lymph node resection may prolong survival in patients with ovarian cancer.•We report acute pericarditis after supradiaphragmatic lymph node resection and pericardotomy.

BRCA1/2 status and chemotherapy response score to tailor ovarian cancer surgery

In advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) the complete eradication of all macroscopic disease at primary debulking surgery (PDS) is associated with the best outcome. If this cannot be achieved, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) can make complete cytoreduction possible while reducing postoperative morbidity. It is still debated if PDS and NACT- IDS are associated with similar survival and if they provide different outcomes when optimal cytoreduction is achieved. For a tailored surgical planning, accurate prediction of tumor's resectability, assessment of patient's performance status and in-depth knowledge of tumor biology are required. Both BRCA1/2 status and the "chemotherapy response score" are reliable markers of chemosensitivity and may thus improve our way to triage patients to PDS or NACT-IDS; furthermore, they could be used to modulate our surgical approach and define appropriate subgroups of patients for whom new therapies should be tested.

Increased disease-free and relative survival in advanced ovarian cancer after centralized primary treatment

OBJECTIVE

To analyze 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and relative survival (RS) before and after the 2011 implementation of centralized primary treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

METHODS

A population-based cohort study using the Swedish Quality Registry for Gynecological Cancer (SQRGC). Women with FIGO stage III and IV epithelial ovarian and Fallopian tube cancers were divided into two cohorts: before and after centralization. We estimated RS using the Ederer II method, analyzed the difference in the excess mortality rate ratio (EMRR) and estimated 5-year DFS in a Cox proportional hazard regression model with centralization, age, primary treatment and complete cytoreduction as variables.

RESULTS

A total of 495 women were identified with 244 women before (2008-2010) and 251 after (2011-2013) centralization. An increased 5-year RS from 24% (95%CI:19-31) to 37% (95%CI:31-44) and an increased median RS from 27 months (95%CI:23-34) to 44 months (95%CI:40-52), p < 0.001 (log-rank), were observed in the total cohort regardless of primary treatment. EMRR was found to be 0.62 (95%CI:0.51-0.76) in 2011-2013 compared to 2008-2010 for all patients. After centralization, 5-year DFS was significantly longer, hazard ratio of 0.77 (95%CI:0.64-0.93) and centralization was found to be an independent significant factor for both survival and DFS. Complete cytoreduction was found to be a significant independent factor associated with increased RS and DFS.

CONCLUSION

Centralization of primary treatment of advanced ovarian cancer was associated with significantly increased complete cytoreduction, 5-year RS and DFS, and was found to be a significant independent factor for both RS and DFS.

Value of pre-existent bacterial colonization in patients with advanced/relapsed ovarian neoplasms undergoing cytoreductive surgery: a multicenter observational study (BONSAI)

OBJECTIVE

As an increasing number of patients with advanced/relapsed ovarian cancer need extensive cytoreductive procedures, there is an increasing number of complex cases collected in accredited tertiary cancer centers. With nosocomial infections and bacterial colonizations being a significant challenge in these patient cohorts, we aimed to evaluate the risk such infections pose to surgical outcome.

METHODS

Prospective assessment of pathological bacterial colonization (vaginal, umbilical/groin, intraperitoneal, urine, oral/nose cavity) in patients who underwent open cytoreductive surgery for advanced/relapsed ovarian cancer in two large European tertiary referral centers for gynecologic malignancies. We recruited patients at initial diagnosis with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III and IV ovarian cancer and patients undergoing surgery for relapse. Swabs or cultures were taken from the following sites: vagina, groin and/or umbilicus, urine, intraperitoneal, mouth and/or nose. Only evidence of pathogenic bacteria was considered positive for bacterial colonization.

RESULTS

A total of 172 primary advanced (70.9%) or relapsed (29.1%) ovarian cancer patients were included; 63.4% of them had received chemotherapy±additional targeted agents (16.3%) by the time of cytoreduction. 39.5% of the patients had a long-term vascular access line in situ. A bowel resection was performed in 44.8% and a splenectomy in 16.3% of the patients. Predefined surgical morbidity and mortality were 22.3% and 0%, respectively. Forty-one patients (23.8%) screened positive for pathogenic bacterial colonization with the presence of long-term intravenous access as the only independent risk factor identified (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.05 to 5.34; p=0.04). Type of systemic treatments, previous bowel resections, previous hospitalizations, and patient demographics did not appear to significantly impact the risk of bacterial colonization. Furthermore, pathogenic bacterial colonization was shown to have no significant effect on peri-operative infection-related complications such as abscesses, wound infection, pneumonia, relaparotomy, or anastomotic leak.

CONCLUSIONS

A total of 24% of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer were confirmed positive for pathogenic bacterial colonization. The presence of long-term intravenous access was identified as the only significant risk factor for that, however the presence of pathogenic bacterial colonization per se did not seem to adversely affect outcome of cytoreductive effort or increase perioperative infection related complications.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery in the primary management of advanced ovarian carcinoma with moderate to large pleural effusions: A Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Team Ovary Study

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the utility of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in defining extent of intrathoracic disease in advanced ovarian carcinoma with moderate-to-large pleural effusions.

METHODS

Beginning in 2001, VATS was performed on all patients with suspected advanced ovarian carcinoma and moderate-to-large pleural effusions, evaluating for macroscopic intrathoracic disease. The algorithm recommended primary debulking surgery (PDS) for ≤1 cm, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT)/interval debulking surgery (IDS) for >1 cm intrathoracic disease. We reviewed records of patients undergoing VATS from 10/01-01/19. Differences between treatment groups were tested using standard statistical techniques.

RESULTS

One-hundred patients met eligibility criteria (median age, 60; median CA-125 level, 1158 U/mL; medium serum albumin, 3.8 g/dL). Macroscopic pleural disease was found in 70 (70%). After VATS, 50 (50%) underwent attempted PDS (PDS group), 50 (50%) received NACT (NACT/IDS group). Forty-seven (94%) underwent IDS. Median overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort (n = 100) was 44.5 months (95% CI: 37.8-51.7). The PDS group had significantly longer survival than the NACT/IDS group [45.8 (95% CI: 40.5-87.8) vs. 37.4 months (95% CI: 33.3-45.2); p = .016]. On multivariable analysis, macroscopic intrathoracic disease (HR 2.18, 95% CI: 1.14-4.18; p = .019) and age ≥ 65 (HR 1.98, 95% CI: 1.16-3.40; p = .013) were independently associated with elevated death risk. Patients with the best outcome had no macroscopic disease at VATS and underwent PDS (median OS, 87.8 months).

CONCLUSIONS

VATS is useful in therapeutic decision-making for PDS vs. NACT/IDS in advanced ovarian cancer with moderate-to-large pleural effusions.

Time-interval to adjuvant chemotherapy and postoperative management after upper abdominal surgical procedures in advanced ovarian cancer

INTRODUCTION

In advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), longer time-interval from surgery to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy (TITC) is associated with decreased survival. Adding upper abdominal surgical procedures (UAP) increases rates of both complete gross resection and postoperative complications in EOC. Our objective was to investigate the association of UAP and TITC. Moreover, if specific postoperative monitoring after the most prevalent UAP increases early detection and management of complications.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Women diagnosed with EOC 2014-2016 in the Stockholm/Gotland Region in Sweden were identified in the Swedish Quality Registry for Gynaecologic Cancer. The association between UAP and TITC was investigated by multivariable linear regression and adjusted for predefined confounders. The follow-up and detection of postoperative complications after diaphragm resection, splenectomy and cholecystectomy was examined.

RESULTS

240 women were selected for analysis. The TITC in women subjected to UAP was similar with a median of 30 days (p = 0.99). Moreover, despite a higher rate of postoperative and major complications (p < 0.001) and longer hospital stay (p < 0.001), in the adjusted analysis there was no association between UAP and prolonged TITC, with a mean difference of -2.27 days (95% Confidence Interval (CI), -5.99 to -1.45, p = 0.23). After the most prevalent UAP (diaphragm resection, splenectomy and cholecystectomy), eventual postoperative interventions were based on routine clinical management rather than procedure-specific postoperative surveillance.

CONCLUSION

UAP does not prolong TITC despite an increased rate of postoperative complications and longer length of hospital stay. Clinical non-specific surveillance is sufficient to detect postoperative complications after the most prevalent UAP.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes after bowel surgery and ostomy formation at the time of debulking surgery for advanced-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

There are limited data on clinical outcomes of patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer who require ostomy formation at the time of either primary cytoreductive surgery or interval cytoreductive surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate patients undergoing bowel surgery and ostomy formation after primary or interval surgery.

METHODS

Patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC-IV epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent cytoreductive surgery between January 2010 and December 2014 were identified retrospectively. Patients with non-epithelial histology, low-grade serous histology or incomplete medical records were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Age, stage, co-morbidity index, pre-operative CA125, pre-operative albumin, and Aletti surgical complexity score were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to assess independent associations with ostomy formation.

RESULTS

A total of 554 patients were included in the study. Of these, 261 (47%) underwent primary cytoreduction and 293 (53%) underwent interval cytoreduction. Patients undergoing primary surgery were more likely to undergo bowel resection, compared with interval surgery patients (37.2% vs 14%, p<0.001). Of the 139 (25.1%) patients who underwent bowel surgery, 25 (18%) underwent ostomy formation (11 ileostomies and 14 colostomies). Rates of ostomy formation were similar between the groups (6.1% primary vs 3.1% interval, p=0.10). Patients undergoing ostomy formation were more likely to have longer mean operative time (335 vs 229 min, p<0.001) and undergo small and large bowel resections at the time of cytoreductive surgery (44% vs 14%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that a high surgical complexity score was associated with ostomy formation. Of the patients who underwent ostomy formation, 13 (43.3%) underwent stoma reversal including 11 ileostomies and two colostomies. Median time to ostomy reversal was 7 months.

CONCLUSION

Bowel surgery is more common among patients undergoing primary surgery as compared with interval surgery, but this does not result in an increased risk of ostomy formation.

Minimal residual disease at primary debulking surgery versus complete tumor resection at interval debulking surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: A survival analysis

OBJECTIVES

To compare survival outcomes and peri-operative complications in patients with advanced ovarian cancer with 1-10 mm residual disease (RD) at primary debulking surgery (PDS) versus those achieving no gross residual disease (NGR) at interval debulking surgery (IDS).

METHODS

Patients operated with the intent of complete cytoreduction for epithelial ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer, FIGO stage IIIC-IV, RD 1-10 mm at PDS and NGR at IDS, between 01/2010 and 12/2016, were retrospectively included. All patients had at least 2-years of follow-up completed.

RESULTS

207 patients were included (59 PDS and 148 IDS). Patients in PDS group were younger and had a higher surgical complexity score. There was a higher rate of intra- and major early post-operative complications in the group of PDS vs IDS (16.9% vs 1.3% and 28.8% vs 2.0%, p < 0.0001 respectively). After a median follow up of 56.4 months (range 59.2-65.4), 117 (56.5%) patients died of disease in the whole population. Forty-eight (81.4%) patients had progression/recurrent disease in the PDS group and 120 (81.1%) in the IDS group. Median PFS was 16.2 months and 18.9 months for PDS and IDS group, respectively (p = 0.111). Median OS was 41.4 months and 52.4 months for PDS and IDS group, respectively (p = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

IDS should be considered the preferred treatment in case millimetric residual disease is expected at PDS in view of the superimposable PFS and the reduced number of perioperative complications.