Quaternary cytoreductive surgery in ovarian cancer: does surgical effort still matter?

Development and Perspectives: Multifunctional Nucleic Acid Nanomedicines for Treatment of Gynecological Cancers

Gynecological malignancies are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. Due to delayed presentation, gynecological cancer patients are often referred late in the disease's course, resulting in poor outcomes. A considerable number of patients ultimately succumb to chemotherapy-resistant disease, which reoccurs at advanced stages despite treatment interventions. Although efforts have been devoted to developing therapies that demonstrate reduced resistance to chemotherapy and enhanced toxicity profiles, current clinical outcomes remain unsatisfactory due to treatment resistance and unfavorable off-target effects. Consequently, innovative biological and nanotherapeutic approaches are imperative to strengthen and optimize the therapeutic arsenal for gynecological cancers. Advancements in nanotechnology-based therapies for gynecological malignancies offer significant advantages, including reduced toxicity, expanded drug circulation, and optimized therapeutic dosing, ultimately leading to enhanced treatment effectiveness. Recent advances in nucleic acid therapeutics using microRNA, small interfering RNA, and messenger RNA provide novel approaches for cancer therapeutics. Effective single-agent and combinatorial nucleic acid therapeutics for gynecological malignancies have the potential to transform cancer treatment by giving safer, more tailored approaches than conventional therapies. This review highlights current preclinical studies that effectively exploit these approaches for the treatment of gynecological malignant tumors and malignant ascites.

Prognosis Following Surgery for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer and Diagnostic Criteria Predictive of Cytoreduction Success: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

For women achieving clinical remission after the completion of initial treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer, 80% with advanced-stage disease will develop recurrence. However, the standard treatment of women with recurrent platinum-sensitive diseases remains poorly defined. Secondary (SCS), tertiary (TCS) or quaternary (QCS) cytoreduction surgery for recurrence has been suggested to be associated with increased overall survival (OS). We searched five databases for studies reporting death rate, OS, cytoreduction rates, post-operative morbidity/mortality and diagnostic models predicting complete cytoreduction in a platinum-sensitive disease recurrence setting. Death rates calculated from raw data were pooled based on a random-effects model. Meta-regression/linear regression was performed to explore the role of complete or optimal cytoreduction as a moderator. Pooled death rates were 45%, 51%, 66% for SCS, TCS and QCS, respectively. Median OS for optimal cytoreduction ranged from 16-91, 24-99 and 39-135 months for SCS, TCS and QCS, respectively. Every 10% increase in complete cytoreduction rates at SCS corresponds to a 7% increase in median OS. Complete cytoreduction rates ranged from 9-100%, 35-90% and 33-100% for SCS, TCS and QCS, respectively. Major post-operative thirty-day morbidity was reported to range from 0-47%, 13-33% and 15-29% for SCS, TCS and QCS, respectively. Thirty-day post-operative mortality was 0-6%, 0-3% and 0-2% for SCS, TCS and QCS, respectively. There were two externally validated diagnostic models predicting complete cytoreduction at SCS, but none for TCS and QCS. In conclusion, our data confirm that maximal effort higher order cytoreductive surgery resulting in complete cytoreduction can improve survival.

Management of advanced ovarian cancer in Spain: an expert Delphi consensus

BACKGROUND

To determine the state of current practice and to reach a consensus on recommendations for the management of advanced ovarian cancer using a Delphi survey with a group of Spanish gynecologists and medical oncologists specially dedicated to gynecological tumors.

METHODS

The questionnaire was developed by the byline authors. All questions but one were answered using a 9-item Likert-like scale with three types of answers: frequency, relevance and agreement. We performed two rounds between December 2018 and July 2019. A consensus was considered reached when at least 75% of the answers were located within three consecutive points of the Likert scale.

RESULTS

In the first round, 32 oncologists and gynecologists were invited to participate, and 31 (96.9%) completed the online questionnaire. In the second round, 27 (87.1%) completed the online questionnaire. The results for the questions on first-line management of advanced disease, treatment of patients with recurrent disease for whom platinum might be the best option, and treatment of patients with recurrent disease for whom platinum might not be the best option are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

This survey shows a snapshot of current recommendations by this selected group of physicians. Although the majority of the agreements and recommendations are aligned with the recently published ESMO-ESGO consensus, there are some discrepancies that can be explained by differences in the interpretation of certain clinical trials, reimbursement or accessibility issues.

The clinical and pathological characteristics and survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer

Introduction: Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate of all gynaecologic malignancies. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the clinical pathological characteristics and survival analysis of primarily operated patients with advanced stages of malignant epithelial ovarian tumour. Methods: The research was conducted as a cohort study with 59 patients with FIGO stage III and IV, which were primarily operated between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010 (three years). Age, comorbidities, BMI, presence of ascites, the level of the marker CA-125, histopathology and FIGO stage were analysed. The survival rate was estimated at the level of 1, 3 and 5 years. Results: The median age was 53 years (range 29-86). The most common histopathological type was serous (66.1 %) and the most common FIGO stage was 3a (49.2 %). Optimal cytoreduction was performed in 35.5 % of patients, 84.7 % of patients survived for one year, 44.1 % three years and 37.3 % for five years. The median survival was 26.25 months (range 0-91). Chi-square test showed significant difference between the number of months of survival and: the value of CA125 (t = 2.004, p = 0.050), cytoreduction (p < 0.001) and FIGO stage (p < 0.01). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, optimal cytoreduction and FIGO stage significantly influence survival (p < 0.001). Optimal cytoreduction (< 2 cm of residual disease) had the highest prognostic value for survival. A total five-year survival in this study was 37.3 %.

Cytoreductive Surgery for Heavily Pre-Treated, Platinum-Resistant Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma: A Two-Center Retrospective Experience

Few retrospective studies have shown a benefit in selected patients affected by heavily pre-treated, platinum-resistant ovarian carcinomas (PROCs) who have undergone cytoreduction at relapse. However, the role of tertiary and quaternary cytoreductive surgery is not fully defined. Our aim was to evaluate survival and surgical morbidity and mortality after maximal cytoreduction in this setting. We evaluated all consecutive patients undergoing cytoreduction for platinum-resistance over an 8-year period (2010–2018) in two different centers. Fifty patients (median age 52.5 years, range 34–75) were included; the median number of previous chemotherapy lines was three (range 1–7) and the median number of previous surgeries was one (range 1–4). Completeness of cytoreduction (CC = 0) was achieved in 22 patients (44%). Rates of major operative morbidity and 30-day mortality were 38% and 8%, respectively. Median follow-up was 35 months. The absence of tumor residual (CC = 0) was associated with a significantly better overall survival (OS) compared to the CC > 0 subgroup (median OS 32.9 months (95% CI 21.6–44.2) vs. 4.8 months (95% CI n.a.–9.8), hazard ratio (HR) 4.21 (95% CI 2.07–8.60), p < 0.001). Optimal cytoreduction is feasible and associated with promising OS in selected, heavily pre-treated PROCs. Further prospective studies are required to better define the role of surgery in platinum-resistant disease.

Ovarian cancer relapse: From the latest scientific evidence to the best practice

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth most common cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Despite treatment options have continued to improve in recent years, the recurrence rate is still high; in fact around 80% of patients relapses within 18 months. Recently, the scientific landscape is agree in asserting that the ovarian cancer is not a single disease but the outcome of patients depends from the molecular and biological characterization of tumor tissue. In this scenario, molecular targeted therapy given alone or in combination with chemotherapy is showing significant results. We review the different options for the treatment of ovarian cancer recurrence, including the role of surgery, in order to try outlining a possible treatment algorithm evaluating the recent scientific literature and the most important trials.

Prevalence, spectrum, and founder effect of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in epithelial ovarian cancer from the Middle East

Germline mutations in breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 and 2 have previously been estimated to contribute to 13-18% of all epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). To characterize the prevalence and effect of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in Middle Eastern EOC patients, BRCA mutation screening was performed in 407 unselected ovarian cancer patients using targeted capture and/or Sanger sequencing. A total of 19 different pathogenic variants (PVs) were identified in 50 (12.3%) women. Nine PVs were recurrent accounting for 80% of cases with PVs (40/50) in the entire cohort. Founder mutation analysis revealed only two mutations (c.4136_4137delCT and c.1140dupG) sharing the same haplotypes thus representing founder mutations in the Middle Eastern population. Identification of the mutation spectrum, prevalence, and founder effect in Middle Eastern population facilitates genetic counseling, risk assessment, and development of a cost-effective screening strategy.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for solitary splenic metastasis in a patient with ovarian cancer with a long disease-free interval: a case report

Background

In general, splenic metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer is considered a terminal stage resulting in widespread metastasis. Solitary splenic metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer is rare in patients with post-treatment ovarian cancer with long disease-free intervals.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 62-year-old Japanese woman who presented with elevated serum cancer antigen 125 due to a solitary splenic metastasis of ovarian cancer. She underwent primary open cytoreduction including resection of the right ovarian cancer and postoperative chemotherapy, followed by secondary open cytoreduction and additional postoperative chemotherapy. The disease-free interval was more than 5 years after the additional postoperative chemotherapy. She did not complain of any symptoms and there were no abnormal findings except for elevated cancer antigen 125. However, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor of 6.5 × 4.5 cm in her spleen, and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed no other metastatic lesions. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed as tertiary cytoreduction with a diagnosis of a solitary splenic metastasis. Her elevated cancer antigen 125 immediately decreased to within the normal range after the splenectomy. On microscopic examination, the tumor was grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma localized in the spleen, consistent with the previous grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma ovarian cancer.

Conclusions

Elevated cancer antigen 125 is useful for early detection of metastasis of ovarian cancer. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography are useful to evaluate whether splenic metastasis of ovarian cancer is solitary, and laparoscopic splenectomy is safe and feasible for a solitary splenic metastasis.

Current status of tertiary debulking surgery and prognosis after secondary debulking surgery for recurrent Müllerian epithelial cancer in Japan: a retrospective analysis of 164 patients (KCOG-G1402)

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the current status of secondary debulking surgery (SDS) and tertiary debulking surgery (TDS; performed for recurrence after SDS) and to assess the overall survival after recurrence of Müllerian epithelial cancer in Japan. We also evaluated the data of patients who underwent a fourth debulking surgery (i.e., quaternary debulking surgery (QDS)).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 164 patients with recurrent Müllerian epithelial cancers (i.e., ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers). The SDS was performed between January 2000 and September 2014 in 20 Japanese hospitals. Clinicopathological data were collected and analyzed.

Results

Of the 164 patients, 66 patients did not have a recurrence or died after SDS. Ninety-eight patients had a recurrence after SDS. Forty-three of the 98 patients underwent TDS; 55 of the 98 patients did not undergo TDS and were classified into the non-TDS group. The overall survival (OS) after SDS was significantly better in the TDS group than in the non-TDS group. The median OS after SDS was 123 and 42 months in the TDS group and non-TDS group, respectively. Of the 43 patients who received TDS, 11 patients were further treated with QDS. The median OS after SDS was 123 months for patients who underwent QDS.

Conclusions

This multicenter study on the prognosis of post-SDS is apparently the first report on QDS in Japan. Patients undergoing TDS have a good prognosis, compared to patients in the non-TDS group. Novel drugs are being evaluated; however, debulking surgery remains a necessary treatment for recurrence.

Tertiary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: A multicentre MITO retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the impact of tertiary cytoreductive surgery (TCS) on survival in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and to determine predictors of complete cytoreduction.

METHODS

A multi-institutional retrospective study was conducted within the MITO Group on a 5-year observation period.

RESULTS

A total of 103 EOC patients with a ≥6month treatment-free interval (TFI) undergoing TCS were included. Complete cytoreduction was achieved in 71 patients (68.9%), with severe post-operative complications in 9.7%, and no cases of mortality within 60days from surgery. Multivariate analysis identified the complete tertiary cytoreduction as the most potent predictor of survival followed by FIGO stage I-II at initial diagnosis, exclusive retroperitoneal recurrence, and TCS performed ≥3years after primary diagnosis. Patients with complete tertiary cytoreduction had a significantly longer overall survival (median OS: 43months, 95% CI 31-58) compared to those with residual tumor (median OS: 33months, 95% CI 28-46; p<0.001). After multivariate adjustment the presence of a single lesion and good (ECOG 0) performance status were the only significant predictors of complete surgical cytoreduction.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the only large multicentre study published so far on TCS in EOC with ≥6month TFI. The achievement of postoperative no residual disease is confirmed as the primary objective also in a TCS setting, with significant survival benefit and acceptable morbidity. Accurate patient selection is of utmost importance to have the best chance of complete cytoreduction.

Cytoreduction (Peritonectomy Procedures) Combined with Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: Retrospective Italian Multicenter Observational Study of 511 Cases

Purpose

The aim of this study was to help with the process of selecting patients with advanced ovarian cancer to undergo cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) by analyzing outcome data at distinct clinical time points reflecting the natural history of the disease.

Methods

In a retrospective Italian multicenter study investigating patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent CRS plus HIPEC between 1998 and 2014, we analyzed data for consecutive patients at eight treatment time points: primary debulking surgery (PDS); interval debulking surgery after partial response, after no response, and after a pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy; first recurrence with a progression-free interval >12, <12 months, or >12 months in patients who underwent further chemotherapy before CRS and HIPEC; and patients who underwent two or more CRS procedures and chemotherapy lines before CRS and HIPEC.

Results

The 511 enrolled patients underwent 3373 procedures; 72.6% achieved complete cytoreduction, with an overall major morbidity of 17.4%. At a median follow-up of 53.8 months, overall survival (OS) was 54.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 44–58.4) and progression-free (PFS) survival was 16.6 months (95% CI 14.7–19.1). Outcome analysis in patients in whom CRS plus HIPEC was used for primary advanced cancer or recurrent ovarian cancer showed significant differences in OS and PFS according to the time points analyzed. Multivariate analysis identified completeness of CRS, Peritoneal Cancer Index, and the times when patients underwent CRS plus HIPEC as independent prognostic factors.

Conclusions

This selective information on survival should help in interpreting the findings from ongoing randomized studies focusing on CRS plus HIPEC in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Surgical management of recurrent ovarian cancer

Most patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer will experience a relapse of disease despite a complete response after surgical cytoreduction and platinum-based chemotherapy. Treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer mainly comprises various combinations of systemic chemotherapy with or without targeted agents. The role of cytoreductive surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer is not well established. Although the literature on survival benefit of cytoreductive surgery for recurrent disease has expanded steadily over the past decade, most studies were retrospective, single-institution series with small numbers of patients. Given the balance between survival benefit and surgery-related morbidity during maximum cytoreductive surgical effort, it is essential to establish the optimal selection criteria for identifying appropriate candidates who will benefit from surgery without worsening quality of life. Three phase III randomized trials for this issue are currently underway. Herein, we present contemporary evidence supporting the positive role of cytoreductive surgery and offer selection criteria for optimal candidates for surgery in the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer.

Metabolic tumor burden predicts prognosis of ovarian cancer patients who receive platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy

Volumetric parameters of positron emission tomography–computed tomography using 18F‐fludeoxyglucose (¹⁸F‐FDG PET/CT) that comprehensively reflect both metabolic activity and tumor burden are capable of predicting survival in several cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive performance of metabolic tumor burden measured by ¹⁸F‐FDG PET/CT in ovarian cancer patients who received platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy after cytoreductive surgery. Included in this study were 37 epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Metabolic tumor burden in terms of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), clinical stage, histological type, residual tumor after primary cytoreductive surgery, baseline serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) level, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) were determined, and compared for their performance in predicting progression‐free survival (PFS). Metabolic tumor volume correlated with CA125 (r = 0.547, P < 0.001), and TLG correlated with SUV_max and CA125 (SUV_max, r = 0.437, P = 0.007; CA125, r = 0.593, P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a significant difference in PFS between the groups categorized by TLG (P = 0.043; log–rank test). Univariate analysis indicated that TLG was a statistically significant risk factor for poor PFS. Multivariate analysis adjusted according to the clinicopathological features was carried out for MTV, TLG, SUV_max, tumor size, and CA125. Only TLG showed a significant difference (P = 0.038), and a 3.915‐fold increase in the hazard ratio of PFS. Both MTV and TLG (especially TLG) could serve as potential surrogate biomarkers for recurrence in patients who undergo primary cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum‐based chemotherapy, and could identify patients at high risk of recurrence who need more aggressive treatment.

Tertiary cytoreduction in the setting of recurrent ovarian cancer (Review)

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy, with aggressive surgical debulking and adjuvant chemotherapy as the main treatment modalities. Optimal debulking during the primary surgery is significantly correlated with prolonged survival. As surgical techniques and chemotherapeutic agents improve, more patients with prolonged survival may face secondary and tertiary recurrences. The role of surgical debulking in secondary cytoreduction (SC) is not clearly defined and is based on retrospective series. The treatment of patients with primary or secondary recurrences generally consists of second-line chemotherapy, but may be performed on medically fit patients in certain circumstances. A limited number of studies concerning tertiary cytoreduction (TC) in cases of secondary recurrences have been published. In these studies, conventional prognostic factors for SC, including ascites, an advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and/or peritoneal carcinomatosis, did not apply to TC, but the post-operative residual tumor load was significant in determining the prognosis. A limited number of patients with completely-resectable tumors may have an opportunity for a maximal cytoreduction in these circumstances. TC appears to result in a favorable outcome and moderate complication rates. The surgery is an available option for patients with recurrence, in whom a complete tumor resection may be achieved.