Progestagens for granulosa cell tumours of the ovary

Phase II clinical trial assessing the efficacy of enzalutamide in advanced non-resectable granulosa cell ovarian tumors: The GREKO III study (GETHI2016-01)

BACKGROUND

Granulosa cell ovarian tumors (GCT) are orphan disease with limited treatments. Hormone therapy is a potential treatment, due to the overexpression of hormone receptors in most tumors. This study explores the activity of the antiandrogen, enzalutamide, in metastatic cases.

METHODS

We designed a phase II clinical trial under the Spanish Collaborative Group for Transversal Oncology and Rare and Orphan Tumors (GETTHI). Eligible participants were adult women with advanced GCT. Primary endpoint was objective response rate. Secondary endpoints included clinical benefit rate, progression-free survival, overall survival, and safety profile. Patients received enzalutamide 160 mg once daily.

RESULTS

From April 2018 to March 2020, eighteen patients were screened, and sixteen were included across nine institutions. Median age was 56.4 years (range 45-71), and most were Caucasian (14 cases), one Arabian and one Latin. ECOG performance status was zero in 13 cases (81 %) and one in three (19 %). Six patients (38 %) had previously received hormone therapy as adjuvant treatment or for advanced disease, and 15 (94 %) chemotherapy. Median time from metastasis to study entry was 96 months (range 4.5-198). No objective response was observed, but the clinical benefit rate reached 68.8 % (95 % CI [46 %-91.5 %]). Median progression-free survival was 3.8 months (95 % CI [1.36-6.14]). Median overall survival was not reached, with a median follow-up of 6 months (range 2.2-19). At the time of database closure, 14 patients had discontinued treatment, 13 due to disease progression and one by personal choice. Two deaths attributed to disease progression were recorded. Five grade 3 adverse events were reported, with only one (asthenia) deemed related to the therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Although enzalutamide demonstrated modest activity in GCT, durable stabilization was observed in some cases.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03464201.

Open-label phase II clinical trial of ketoconazole as CYP17 inhibitor in metastatic or advanced non-resectable granulosa cell ovarian tumors: the GREKO (GRanulosa Et KetOconazole) trial, GETHI 2011-03

BACKGROUND

Granulosa cell ovarian tumor (GCT) is characterized by a pathognomonic mutation in the FOXL2 gene (402 C > G) that leads to an overactivation of steroidogenesis. CYP17 is a key enzyme in such process and can be inhibited by ketoconazole.

METHODS

We designed a phase II clinical trial to assess the efficacy of ketoconazole in advanced GCT and conducted several in vitro studies to support the clinical findings.

RESULTS

From October 1st 2012 to January 31st 2014, six evaluable patients were recruited in ten hospitals of the Spanish Group for Transversal Oncology and Research in Orphan and Infrequent Tumors" (GETTHI). FOXL2 (402C > G) mutation was confirmed in three; two cases were wild type and it could not be assessed in one. No objective response by RECIST was observed, but five cases achieved stable disease longer than 12 months. Median progression-free survival was 14.06 months (CI 95% 5.43-22.69) for the whole study population (3.38 and 13.47 months for wild-type cases and 14.06, 20.67 and 26.51 for those with confirmed FOXL2 mutation). Median overall survival was 22·99 months (CI 95% 8.99-36.99). In vitro assays confirmed the activity of ketoconazole in this tumor and suggested potential synergisms with other hormone therapies.

CONCLUSION

Ketoconazole has shown activity in advanced GCT in clinical and in vitro studies. Based on these data, an orphan designation was granted by the European Medicines Agency for ketoconazole in GCT (EU/3/17/1857).

CLINICALTRIALS

GOV IDENTIFIER

NCT01584297.

Ovarian adult-type granulosa cell tumor: focusing on endocrine-based therapies

Adult-type granulosa cell tumors (GCTs), although rare, are the most commonly diagnosed neoplasms arising in the endocrine-active ovarian stroma. They are characterized by excessive production of estrogens, antimullerian hormone and inhibins. In 2009, a specific mutation in FOXL2 was identified to be pathognomonic of GCTs. How dysregulation of this transcription factor, resulting in upregulation of aromatase, leads to unchecked proliferation, and progression to a malignancy, remains unclear. The key pathological and clinical feature of GCTs that affects their usually favorable outcomes is a diagnosis of greater than Stage 1 disease at presentation. Chemotherapy is given as adjuvant upon an advanced stage diagnosis; however, its effect on survival upon recurrence is modest. On the other hand, aromatase inhibitors also lead to tumor regression and are suitable for long-term maintenance.

Ovarian sex-cord stromal tumours and small cell tumours: Pathological, genetic and management aspects

Non-epithelial ovarian cancers (NEOC) constitute a group of uncommon malignancies and their treatment is still a challenging task. Collectively, these tumours account for about 10% of all ovarian cancers and occur in all age groups from childhood to old-age. They include malignancies of germ cell origin, sex cord-stromal cell origin, and a variety of extremely rare ovarian cancers, such as small-cell carcinomas and sarcomas. Each of these classifications encompasses multiple histologic subtypes. It is imperative that these rare tumours are managed with accurate diagnosis, staging, and treatment, to optimise the outcome. The aetiology and molecular origins of each sub-group of NEOC remain largely unresolved, and international cooperation to promote high quality translational research is crucial. Much effort has been made into researching the molecular mechanisms underlying epithelial ovarian cancers, but far less is known about the genetic changes in NEOC. In this article, it is provided an overview of the current knowledge on the incidence, clinical presentation, pathology, genetics, therapeutic interventions, survival and prognostic factors of adult and juvenile granulosa cell tumours (GrCT), Sertoli-Leydig Cell tumours (SLCT) and small cell carcinoma of the ovary. We also consider future potential therapeutic targets in these rare cancers.

Hormonal treatment in recurrent and metastatic gynaecological cancers: a review of the current literature

For many years hormonal treatment has played a role in the treatment of a selected group of patients with a variety of recurrent or metastatic gynaecological cancers, including ovarian and endometrial carcinomas, endometrial stromal sarcomas and granulosa cell tumours. Hormonal agents that are typically used include luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone analogues, progestogens, selective oestrogen-receptor-modulating drugs such as tamoxifen, and more recently aromatase inhibitors. The rates of response to these drugs differ considerably depending on the tumour type, disease grade and stage as well as the type of drug used. Patients with granulosa cell tumours and endometrial stromal sarcomas have the highest response rates; owing to the rarity of these tumour types, the documented response rates are based on case reports and small series. Response rates in patients with recurrent and metastatic endometrial and ovarian carcinoma have been lower. It has been suggested that patients with well-differentiated and hormone-receptor-positive carcinomas are more likely to benefit from hormonal treatment. However, the data to support this are limited, and at times conflicting, with very few prospective studies to date. This review updates the evidence for the use of hormonal treatment in patients with potentially hormone responsive recurrent and metastatic gynaecological cancers.

Recent advances in granulosa cell tumor ovary: a review

Granulosa cell tumors constitute less than 5 % of all ovarian tumors. Unlike epithelial ovarian tumors, they occur in a younger age group, are usually detected in an early stage and often have features of hyperestrogenism. The presenting symptoms are usually nonspecific with abdominal pain or distension. They follow an indolent course and are characterized by a long natural history. Mutation of FOXL2 (402C->G) seen in 97 % of adult GCT may be pathognomonic for adult GCT. Only stage of the disease has been consistently shown in various studies to affect survival of patients with GCT. The initial management of patients, for whom fertility is not an issue, is total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and removal of all gross disease. Nodal dissection is not a significant factor for survival and is not recommended in surgical staging of GCT. Fertility preserving surgery with unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is feasible in young patients with stage Ia GCT. Patients with early stage disease (stage I and II) have a very good prognosis with 5 year DFS and OS of 89 % and 99 % respectively and these groups of patients usually don't require any postoperative treatment. Patients with stage Ic disease associated with poor prognostic factors like large tumor size or high mitotic index and stage II, have a higher chance of relapse, and may benefit with postoperative treatment but role of chemotherapy is still debatable. In advanced stage disease (stage III and IV) the 5 year DFS and OS disease was 72 % and 80 % respectively hence the option of postoperative treatment with 6 cycles of BEP should be considered in this group. Recently paclitaxel is being investigated as an effective tool in GCT. The efficacy of radiation in GCT is not well defined but in optimally debulked cases postoperative radiation is a viable option. Due to high chance of recurrence even years after apparent clinical cure of the primary tumor, lifelong follow up with clinical examination and tumor markers like inhibin B is recommended. About 25 % GCT develop recurrence and the median time to recur is usually 4-5 years. Most recurrences are intraperitoneal and usually a complete debulking of the disease is feasible even in the recurrent setting. Postoperative chemotherapy (platinum based) is usually given after surgery more so in cases with widespread disease or after suboptimal cytoreduction. Recurrent chemoresistant, progressive non-responding GCT or patients with high surgical risk are ideal candidates for targeted therapy.

Hormonal treatment of a recurrent granulosa cell tumor of the ovary: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Granulosa cell tumors of the ovary are rare, primarily treated surgically. In advanced or recurrent disease, data are inconclusive regarding the benefit of either primary or adjuvant chemotherapy. Hormonal therapy has been suggested as an alternative treatment.

CASE

Our patient had three recurrences of estrogen receptor negative and progesterone receptor positive GCT, the first two treated by surgery with or without adjuvant chemotherapy. For the third recurrence, the patient received alternating biweekly cycles of megestrol and tamoxifen. Computed tomography showed stable disease at 6 months, partial response at 18 months, and complete response at 22 months. The patient continues on hormonal therapy and has been disease-free for 5 years.

CONCLUSION

This study and others suggest that hormonal therapy may provide another option for treating these relatively rare tumors.

Bone metastasis from a granulosa cell tumor of the ovary

BACKGROUND

Granulosa cell tumors (GCT) of the ovary generally have a good prognosis. Recurrences tend to be late and are usually abdominopelvic. Bone metastases are extremely rare.

CASE

A case of recurrent GCT with vertebral metastasis is presented. Radiologic studies were helpful in documenting the presence of an invasive tumor destroying the vertebral body of T7. Bone scintigraphy excluded other metastatic sites. Diagnosis could not be established by CT-scan-directed fine-needle aspiration cytology or trocar biopsies. Since the lesion was isolated and resectable, aggressive surgery with complete tumoral excision was performed followed by local radiation therapy. Megestrol acetate was given as systemic treatment.

CONCLUSION

Multiple treatments of GCT may alter the pattern of recurrence. Every symptom should be thoroughly evaluated. Bone metastases may be treated aggressively.

Hormone treatments in the common 'hormone-dependent' carcinomas

Current understanding of the mechanisms of action of hormonal therapies in carcinomas of the breast, prostate, endometrium and ovary is briefly reviewed. The range of available hormonal therapies for each disease is considered together with response rates, toxicity and any evidence for survival benefit. Practical guidelines for the palliative use of hormonal therapies are suggested.