Influence of surgery and postoperative therapy and tumor characteristics on patient prognosis in advanced ovarian carcinomas

Prognostic value of BRCA1 promoter methylation for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

BRCA1 promoter methylation (BRCA1pm) is suspected to alter prognosis of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of this epigenetic modification.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, monocentric study from 11/2006 to 08/2018. Patients with EOC and available status concerning somatic BRCA1/2 mutation and BRCA1pm were included. Three groups were defined: patients without BRCA1/2 mutation or BRCA1pm, patients with BRCA1/2 mutation and patients with BRCA1pm. BRCA1/2 mutations were analyzed in current care settings by next-generation sequencing (NGS). BRCA1pm analysis was assessed and quantified from bisulfite converted DNAs using fluorescent methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fragment analysis. All patients signed a consent form and the study was authorized by a Personal Protection Committee. Descriptive statistics were used to describe groups. Multivariate analysis was performed using the logistic regression model and including the variables that could be known at the time of diagnosis and that were significant at univariate analysis. Survival was compared between the groups. Kaplan-Mayer curves were used to express the differences in survival that were compared using log rank tests.

RESULTS

145 patients were included: 95 (65.5 %) patients without BRCA1/2 mutation or BRCA1pm, 32 (22.1 %) patients with BRCA1/2 mutation, 18 (12.4 %) patients with BRCA1pm. Median survival was decreased in patients with BRCA1pm. Comparison of survival revealed a significant difference in overall survival (p = 0.0078) with a worse prognosis for patients with a BRCA1pm.

CONCLUSION

BRCA1pm in patients with EOC is an independent factor associated with a decreased overall survival.

SYNOPSIS

BRCA1 promotor methylation in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer is an independent factor associated with a decreased overall survival.

Surgical outcomes of ureteral reconstruction during cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Ureteral reconstruction is required after surgical resection of the tumor invading the urinary tract in ovarian cancer with low incidence. There are no currently reported surgical outcomes of ureteral reconstruction during cytoreductive surgery. The aim of the study is to investigate the clinical features and surgical outcomes of ureteral reconstruction during primary, interval and secondary cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer. 

Methods

A total of 3226 patients who underwent primary, interval or secondary cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer between January 2000 and May 2021 were reviewed. Fifty-six patients who underwent ureteral reconstruction during cytoreductive surgery were included in the analysis. 

Results

Ureteral reconstruction was required in 1.7% (56/3226) of ovarian cancer patients. Of the 56 patients who underwent ureteral reconstruction during cytoreductive surgery, 35 (62.5%) had primary ovarian cancer, and 21 (37.5%) had recurrent ovarian cancer. The median tumor size invading the lower urinary tract was 2.0 cm (range, 0.4–9.5 cm). Ureteroneocystostomy with direct implantation (51.8%) and psoas hitch (8.9%), transureteroureterostomy (7.1%), and ureteroureterostomy (32.1%) were required as part of cytoreductive surgery. Complete cytoreduction with ureteral reconstruction was achieved in 83.9% (47/56) and the rest of the patient population (16.1%) achieved a gross residual tumor size of less than 1 cm. All complications, including hydronephrosis (33.9%), were managed, none resulting in long-term sequelae. In primary ovarian cancer, the 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival were 50.0% and 89.5%, respectively. In patients with recurrent ovarian cancer, the 5-year disease-free survival and overall survival were 23.6% and 64.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

Ureteral reconstruction as a part of cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer could be performed with acceptable morbidities. Complete cytoreduction by a multidisciplinary surgical team, including urologic oncologists, should be pursued for the surgical management of ovarian cancer.

Trial registration

Retrospectively registered.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-022-10288-x.

Optimal primary surgical treatment for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer among women. In addition to diagnosis and staging, primary surgery is performed to achieve optimal cytoreduction (surgical efforts aimed at removing the bulk of the tumour) as the amount of residual tumour is one of the most important prognostic factors for survival of women with epithelial ovarian cancer. An optimal outcome of cytoreductive surgery remains a subject of controversy to many practising gynae-oncologists. The Gynaecologic Oncology group (GOG) currently defines 'optimal' as having residual tumour nodules each measuring 1 cm or less in maximum diameter, with complete cytoreduction (microscopic disease) being the ideal surgical outcome. Although the size of residual tumour masses after surgery has been shown to be an important prognostic factor for advanced ovarian cancer, it is unclear whether it is the surgical procedure that is directly responsible for the superior outcome that is associated with less residual disease.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of optimal primary cytoreductive surgery for women with surgically staged advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (stages III and IV).To assess the impact of various residual tumour sizes, over a range between zero and 2 cm, on overall survival.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2010, Issue 3) and the Cochrane Gynaecological Cancer Review Group Trials Register, MEDLINE and EMBASE (up to August 2010). We also searched registers of clinical trials, abstracts of scientific meetings, reference lists of included studies and contacted experts in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Retrospective data on residual disease from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or prospective and retrospective observational studies which included a multivariate analysis of 100 or more adult women with surgically staged advanced epithelial ovarian cancer and who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery followed by adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. We only included studies that defined optimal cytoreduction as surgery leading to residual tumours with a maximum diameter of any threshold up to 2 cm.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently abstracted data and assessed risk of bias. Where possible, the data were synthesised in a meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

There were no RCTs or prospective non-RCTs identified that were designed to evaluate the effectiveness of surgery when performed as a primary procedure in advanced stage ovarian cancer.We found 11 retrospective studies that included a multivariate analysis that met our inclusion criteria. Analyses showed the prognostic importance of complete cytoreduction, where the residual disease was microscopic that is no visible disease, as overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were significantly prolonged in these groups of women. PFS was not reported in all of the studies but was sufficiently documented to allow firm conclusions to be drawn.When we compared suboptimal (> 1 cm) versus optimal (< 1 cm) cytoreduction the survival estimates were attenuated but remained statistically significant in favour of the lower volume disease group There was no significant difference in OS and only a borderline difference in PFS when residual disease of > 2 cm and < 2 cm were compared (hazard ratio (HR) 1.65, 95% CI 0.82 to 3.31; and HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.61, P = 0.05 for OS and PFS respectively).There was a high risk of bias due to the retrospective nature of these studies where, despite statistical adjustment for important prognostic factors, selection bias was still likely to be of particular concern.Adverse events, quality of life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness were not reported by treatment arm or to a satisfactory level in any of the studies.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

During primary surgery for advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer all attempts should be made to achieve complete cytoreduction. When this is not achievable, the surgical goal should be optimal (< 1 cm) residual disease. Due to the high risk of bias in the current evidence, randomised controlled trials should be performed to determine whether it is the surgical intervention or patient-related and disease-related factors that are associated with the improved survival in these groups of women. The findings of this review that women with residual disease < 1 cm still do better than women with residual disease > 1 cm should prompt the surgical community to retain this category and consider re-defining it as 'near optimal' cytoreduction, reserving the term 'suboptimal' cytoreduction to cases where the residual disease is > 1 cm (optimal/near optimal/suboptimal instead of complete/optimal/suboptimal).

Microarray-Based Gene Expression Studies in Ovarian Cancer

Background

DNA microarray technology is a powerful genomic tool that has the potential to elucidate the relationship between clinical features of cancers and their underlying biological alterations.

Methods

We performed a systemic search in PubMed and Medline databases for recently published articles. The search terms used included “genome-wide,” “microarrays,” “ovarian cancer,” “prognosis” “gene expression profiling,” “molecular marker,” and “molecular biomarker.”

Results

Genome-wide expression profiling using DNA microarray technology has enhanced our understanding of the genes that influence ovarian cancer development, histopathologic subtype, progression, response to therapy, and overall survival.

Conclusions

Gene expression profiling has demonstrated its utility in ovarian cancer research. It is hoped that with technologic, statistical, and bioinformatic advances, the reliability and reproducibility of this technique will increase, spawning clinical applications that may enhance our understanding of the disease and our ability to care for patients in the future.

Influence of Department Volume on Survival for Ovarian Cancer: Results From a Prospective Quality Assurance Program of the Austrian Association for Gynecologic Oncology

Objective:

The Austrian Association for Gynecologic Oncology initiated in 1998 a prospective quality assurance program for patients with ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors predicting overall survival especially under consideration of department volume.

Methods:

All Austrian gynecological departments were invited to participate in the quality assurance program. A questionnaire was sent out that included birth date, histology, date of diagnosis, stage, and basic information on primary treatment. Description of comorbidity was not requested. Patient life status was assessed in a passive way. We did record linkage between each patient's name and birth date and the official mortality data set collected by Statistics Austria. No data were available on progression-free survival. Patients treated between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2004 were included in the analysis. Mortality dates were available to December 31, 2006. Data were analyzed by means of classical statistical methods. Cut-off point for departments was 24 patients per year.

Results:

A total of 1948 patients were evaluable. Approximately 75% of them were treated at institutions with fewer than 24 new patients per year. Patient characteristics were grossly similar for both department types. Multivariate analysis confirmed established prognostic factors such as International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO) stage, lymphadenectomy, age, grading, and residual disease. In addition, we found small departments (<24 patients per year) to have a negative effect on overall survival (hazards ratio, 1.38: 95% confidence interval, 1.2-1.7; and P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The results indicate that in Austria, rules prescribing minimum department case load can further improve survival for patients with ovarian cancer.

A meta-analysis of the efficacy of intraperitoneal cisplatin for the front-line treatment of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. First-line chemotherapy offered to patients with ovarian cancer generally consists of an intravenous (IV) platinum plus taxane regimen and has remained virtually unchanged for the past 10 years. A number of recently completed phase III randomized trials in the United States have reported improved progression-free survival (PFS) and/or overall survival (OS) with the intraperitoneal (IP) administration of cisplatin. The purpose of this study was to pool the published data to perform a meta-analysis of randomized trials of IP cisplatin in the initial chemotherapy treatment of ovarian cancer patients. This study was initiated to obtain a more valid estimate of the therapeutic impact of IP treatment for these patients. A search strategy was initiated that searched published findings of randomized trials of IP cisplatin therapy from multiple sources from January 1990 through January 2006. Six randomized trials of 1716 ovarian cancer patients were identified and included in this analysis. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for PFS of IP cisplatin as compared to IV treatment regimens is 0.792 (95% CI: 0.688-0.912, P= 0.001), and the pooled HR for OS is 0.799 (95% CI: 0.702-0.910, P= 0.0007). These findings strongly support the incorporation of an IP cisplatin regimen to improve survival in the front-line treatment of stage III, optimally debulked ovarian cancer.

“Optimal” cytoreduction for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: A commentary

OBJECTIVE

To derive the most appropriate threshold to classify primary cytoreductive operations as "optimal" and address the clinical significance of this issue.

METHODS

Criteria used to classify primary cytoreductive outcomes are reviewed. Survival outcomes are analyzed to address relative influences of the completeness of cytoreduction and "biological aggressiveness", as manifested by the extent of intra-abdominal metastases.

RESULTS

Most cohorts analyzing relative influences of metastatic tumor burden and the dimension of residual disease on survival report completeness of cytoreduction to influence the prognosis more significantly than tumor burden, with necessity to perform various procedures having minimal or no influence. Equivalent survival is reported for completely cytoreduced patients with stage III disease whether substages IIIa/b (smaller tumor burden) are excluded or included. However, some stage IIIc series report more favorable median and 5-year survivals for small fractions of completely cytoreduced patients than series with a large visibly disease-free fraction. Increasing fractions of complete cytoreduction are reported in recent cohorts, without increase in morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Complete primary cytoreduction improves the prognosis for survival significantly more than a small dimension of residual disease. Although prospective randomized trials addressing surgical issues have not been undertaken and numerous variables may reflect "biological aggressiveness" by influencing the prognosis, available data justify elimination of macroscopic disease to be the most appropriate objective of primary cytoreductive surgery. Stratification of survival by dimensions of residual disease in an investigational setting should include a visibly disease-free subgroup and if used, the term "optimal" should be applied to patients undergoing complete cytoreduction.

Molecular profiling of platinum resistant ovarian cancer

The aim of this study is to discover a gene set that can predict resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy in ovarian cancer. The study was performed on 96 primary ovarian adenocarcinoma specimens from 2 hospitals all treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. In our search for genes, 24 specimens of the discovery set (5 nonresponders and 19 responders) were profiled in duplicate with 18K cDNA microarrays. Confirmation was done using quantitative RT-PCR on 72 independent specimens (9 nonresponders and 63 responders). Sixty-nine genes were differentially expressed between the nonresponders (n=5) and the responders (n=19) in the discovery phase. An algorithm was constructed to identify predictive genes in this discovery set. This resulted in 9 genes (FN1, TOP2A, LBR, ASS, COL3A1, STK6, SGPP1, ITGAE, PCNA), which were confirmed with qRT-PCR. This gene set predicted platinum resistance in an independent validation set of 72 tumours with a sensitivity of 89% (95% CI: 0.68-1.09) and a specificity of 59% (95% CI: 0.47-0.71)(OR=0.09, p=0.026). Multivariable analysis including patient and tumour characteristics demonstrated that this set of 9 genes is independent for the prediction of resistance (p<0.01). The findings of this study are the discovery of a gene signature that classifies the tumours, according to their response, and a 9-gene set that determines resistance in an independent validation set that outperforms patient and tumour characteristics. A larger independent multicentre study should further confirm whether this 9-gene set can identify the patients who will not respond to platinum-based chemotherapy and could benefit from other therapies.

Glucocorticoid administration in antiemetic therapy: is it safe?

BACKGROUND

Although glucocorticoids are often used in cancer therapy, in particular to enhance the effectiveness of antiemetic therapy, they have been associated with impaired tumor apoptosis and an increased frequency of metastases in some reports. The current study aimed to determine whether glucocorticoid treatment had an adverse effect on outcomes in patients with ovarian carcinoma.

METHODS

Records of patients with ovarian carcinoma who were scheduled to receive at least six courses of systemic chemotherapy were reviewed. Patients were grouped into those who had or had not received corticosteroid medication as a part of general antiemetic prophylaxis before chemotherapy, and details of hematologic parameters during treatment and disease recurrence-free and overall survival were recorded.

RESULTS

Altogether, 245 patients with ovarian carcinoma had received chemotherapy. Of these, 62 had been given concurrent glucocorticoid treatment and 183 had not. The two patient groups were well balanced with respect to disease stage and other prognostic factors. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed no significant differences in survival between the groups. Patients who received glucocorticoid treatment had significantly higher leukocyte values in the days immediately after chemotherapy, higher nadir leukocyte values, and higher counts before subsequent courses of chemotherapy (P < 0.01; Levene test, t test) compared with patients who did not receive glucocorticoid treatment. As a result, the initial treatment targets were achieved significantly more often in the glucocorticoid group (P = 0.007; chi-square test).

CONCLUSIONS

There was no evidence that glucocorticoid treatment had a negative effect on outcomes in these patients. Glucocorticoids may exert protective effects on the bone marrow.

Role of primary surgery in advanced ovarian cancer

Background

Major issues in surgery for advanced ovarian cancer remain unresolved. Existing treatment guidelines are supported by a few published reports and fewer prospective randomized clinical trials.

Methods

We reviewed published reports on primary surgical treatment, surgical expertise, inadequate primary surgery/quality assurance, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, interval debulking, and surgical prognostic factors in advanced ovarian cancer to help resolve outstanding issues.

Results

The aim of primary surgery is a well-planned and complete intervention with optimal staging and surgery. Surgical debulking is worthwhile as there are further effective treatments available to control unresectable residual disease. Patients of gynecologic oncology specialist surgeons have better survival rates. This may reflect a working 'culture' rather than better technical skills. One major problem though, is that despite pleas to restrict surgery to experienced surgeons, specialist centers are often left to cope with the results of inadequate primary surgical resections. Patients with primary chemotherapy or those who have had suboptimal debulking may benefit from interval debulking. A proposal for a better classification of residual tumor is given.

Conclusions

Optimal surgical interventions have definite role to play in advanced ovarian cancers. Improvements in surgical treatment in the general population will probably improve patients' survival when coupled with improvements in current chemotherapeutic approaches.

Correlation between MIB1-determined tumor growth fraction and incidence of tumor recurrence in early ovarian carcinomas

PURPOSE

The decision concerning adjuvant therapy remains difficult in patients with very early stage ovarian carcinomas [Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d' Obstétrique (FIGO) Ia/b]. Therefore, we compared the MIB1-determined tumor growth fraction in archival tumor tissue with tumor recurrence and outcome of disease, and in relationship to other stages and clinical and morphological findings.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-two patients were followed in early stages of ovarian carcinomas (FIGO I and II) with no tumor residuals and were analyzed for tumor recurrences and long-term overall survival (mean 6.0 years, median 5.5). Fifty-eight patients had stage I tumors, among these were 38 in the sub-stages Ia/b. Tumor growth fraction (MIB1) in tissues from primary surgery was compared with the status of patients and disease, histology, and immunohistochemistry for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA125, CA153, steroid hormone receptors, and angiogenesis (chisquare test, Kaplan-Meier and discriminant analyses).

RESULTS

Tumor-associated deaths occurred in 27 cases, tumor recurrences occurred in 35 cases. In contrast to the advanced stages of disease, the MIB1-determined tumor growth fraction outweighted all other parameters in the prediction of the course of disease (p < 0.001), followed by tumor grading (p = 0.001) and FIGO-substages (p = 0.026) in this retrospective study. Particularly in the very early stages, MIB1 predicted tumor recurrences in 84% of the cases (p < 0.001). Recurrences were not observed below a tumor growth fraction of 10% but prevailed in cases of more than 15%.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest MIB1 as an interesting additional tool for the decision of adjuvant therapy in patients with very early stages of ovarian carcinomas, which should be tested in prospective trials.