Impact of clinical factors and surgical outcome on long-term survival in high-grade serous ovarian cancer: a multicenter analysis

Comprehensive analyses of mitophagy-related genes and mitophagy-related lncRNAs for patients with ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Both mitophagy and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in ovarian cancer (OC). We sought to explore the characteristics of mitophagy-related gene (MRG) and mitophagy-related lncRNAs (MRL) to facilitate treatment and prognosis of OC.

METHODS

The processed data were extracted from public databases (TCGA, GTEx, GEO and GeneCards). The highly synergistic lncRNA modules and MRLs were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Using LASSO Cox regression analysis, the MRL-model was first established based on TCGA and then validated with four external GEO datasets. The independent prognostic value of the MRL-model was evaluated by Multivariate Cox regression analysis. Characteristics of functional pathways, somatic mutations, immunity features, and anti-tumor therapy related to the MRL-model were evaluated using abundant algorithms, such as GSEA, ssGSEA, GSVA, maftools, CIBERSORT, xCELL, MCPcounter, ESTIMATE, TIDE, pRRophetic and so on.

RESULTS

We found 52 differentially expressed MRGs and 22 prognostic MRGs in OC. Enrichment analysis revealed that MRGs were involved in mitophagy. Nine prognostic MRLs were identified and eight optimal MRLs combinations were screened to establish the MRL-model. The MRL-model stratified patients into high- and low-risk groups and remained a prognostic factor (P < 0.05) with independent value (P < 0.05) in TCGA and GEO. We observed that OC patients in the high-risk group also had the unfavorable survival in consideration of clinicopathological parameters. The Nomogram was plotted to make the prediction results more intuitive and readable. The two risk groups were enriched in discrepant functional pathways (such as Wnt signaling pathway) and immunity features. Besides, patients in the low-risk group may be more sensitive to immunotherapy (P = 0.01). Several chemotherapeutic drugs (Paclitaxel, Veliparib, Rucaparib, Axitinib, Linsitinib, Saracatinib, Motesanib, Ponatinib, Imatinib and so on) were found with variant sensitivity between the two risk groups. The established ceRNA network indicated the underlying mechanisms of MRLs.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed the roles of MRLs and MRL-model in expression, prognosis, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and molecular mechanism of OC. Our findings were able to stratify OC patients with high risk, unfavorable prognosis and variant treatment sensitivity, thus improving clinical outcomes for OC patients.

Side Effects from Cancer Therapies and Perspective of 1044 Long-Term Ovarian Cancer Survivors-Results of Expression VI-Carolin Meets HANNA-Holistic Analysis of Long-Term Survival with Ovarian Cancer: The International NOGGO, ENGOT, and GCIG Survey

The aim of this survey was to increase the knowledge on the characteristics and health concerns of long-term survivors (LTS; survival > 5 years) after ovarian cancer in order to tailor follow-up care. This international survey was initiated by the NOGGO and was made available to members of ENGOT and GCIG. The survey is anonymous and consists of 68 questions regarding sociodemographic, medical (cancer) history, health concerns including distress, long-term side effects, and lifestyle. For this analysis, 1044 LTS from 14 countries were recruited. In total, 58% were diagnosed with FIGO stage III/IV ovarian cancer and 43.4% developed recurrent disease, while 26.0% were receiving cancer treatment at the time of filling in the survey. LTS who survived 5-10 years self-estimated their health status as being significantly worse than LTS who survived more than 10 years (p = 0.034), whereas distress also remained high 10 years after cancer diagnosis. Almost half of the cohort (46.1%) reported still having symptoms, which were mainly lymphedema (37.7%), fatigue (23.9%), pain (21.6%), polyneuropathy (16.9%), gastrointestinal problems (16.6%), and memory problems (15.5%). Almost all patients (94.2%) regularly received follow-up care. Specialized survivorship care with a focus on long-term side effects, lifestyle, and prevention should be offered beyond the typical five years of follow-up care.

Development of the NOGGO GIS v1 Assay, a Comprehensive Hybrid-Capture-Based NGS Assay for Therapeutic Stratification of Homologous Repair Deficiency Driven Tumors and Clinical Validation

The worldwide approval of the combination maintenance therapy of olaparib and bevacizumab in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer requires complex molecular diagnostic assays that are sufficiently robust for the routine detection of driver mutations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes and genomic instability (GI), employing formalin-fixed (FFPE) paraffin-embedded tumor samples without matched normal tissue. We therefore established a DNA-based hybrid capture NGS assay and an associated bioinformatic pipeline that fulfils our institution's specific needs. The assay´s target regions cover the full exonic territory of relevant cancer-related genes and HRR genes and more than 20,000 evenly distributed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci to allow for the detection of genome-wide allele specific copy number alterations (CNA). To determine GI status, we implemented an %CNA score that is robust across a broad range of tumor cell content (25-85%) often found in routine FFPE samples. The assay was established using high-grade serous ovarian cancer samples for which BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation status as well as Myriad MyChoice homologous repair deficiency (HRD) status was known. The NOGGO (Northeastern German Society for Gynecologic Oncology) GIS (GI-Score) v1 assay was clinically validated on more than 400 samples of the ENGOT PAOLA-1 clinical trial as part of the European Network for Gynaecological Oncological Trial groups (ENGOT) HRD European Initiative. The "NOGGO GIS v1 assay" performed using highly robust hazard ratios for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), as well a significantly lower dropout rate than the Myriad MyChoice clinical trial assay supporting the clinical utility of the assay. We also provide proof of a modular and scalable routine diagnostic method, that can be flexibly adapted and adjusted to meet future clinical needs, emerging biomarkers, and further tumor entities.

GCIG-Consensus guideline for Long-term survivorship in gynecologic Cancer: A position paper from the gynecologic cancer Intergroup (GCIG) symptom benefit committee

INTRODUCTION

Long-term survivors of gynecological cancers may be cured but still have ongoing health concerns and long-term side effects following cancer treatment. The aim of this brainstorming meeting was to develop recommendations for long-term follow-up for survivors from gynecologic cancer.

METHODS

International experts, representing each member group within the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG), met to define long-term survival, propose guidelines for long term follow-up and propose ways to implement long term survivorship follow-up in clinical trials involving gynecological cancers.

RESULTS

Long-term survival with/from gynecological cancers was defined as survival of at least five years from diagnosis, irrespective of disease recurrences. Review of the literature showed that more than 50% of cancer survivors with gynecological cancer still experienced health concerns/long-term side effects. Main side effects included neurologic symptoms, sleep disturbance, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, bowel and urinary problems and lymphedema. In this article, long-term side effects are discussed in detail and treatment options are proposed. Screening for second primary cancers and lifestyle counselling (nutrition, physical activity, mental health) may improve quality of life and overall health status, as well as prevent cardiovascular events. Clinical trials should address cancer survivorship and report patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for cancer survivors.

CONCLUSION

Long-term survivors after gynecological cancer have unique longer term challenges that need to be addressed systematically by care givers. Follow-up after completing treatment for primary gynecological cancer should be offered lifelong. Survivorship care plans may help to summarize cancer history, long-term side effects and to give information on health promotion and prevention.

Clinicopathologic prognostic parameters in patients with tubo‐ovarian carcinoma effusions

Objective

To analyse the predictive and prognostic role of clinicopathological parameters in patients with tubo‐ovarian carcinoma and malignant effusion.

Methods

A retrospective series of 700 malignant peritoneal (n = 610) and pleural (n = 90) effusions from 558 patients was revised for histotype based on the 2014 World Health Organization criteria. The role of clinicopathological parameters in determining outcome was assessed.

Results

The majority of specimens (597 effusions from 473 patients) were high‐grade serous carcinomas (HGSC), followed by low‐grade serous carcinoma (LGSC; 48 effusions, 37 patients), clear cell carcinoma (CCC; 23 effusions, 19 patients) and carcinosarcoma (CS; 16 effusions, 16 patients). Patients with CCC and CS had the shortest, those with HGSC intermediate, and those with LGSC longest overall and progression‐free survival (both P < 0.001). For patients with HGSC, older age (P = 0.002), more advanced FIGO stage (IV vs III; P < 0.001), delayed/no surgery (P < 0.001), larger residual disease volume (RD; P < 0.001), non‐complete response to chemotherapy at diagnosis (P < 0.001), and primary platinum resistance (P < 0.001) were associated with shorter overall survival. In Cox multivariate analysis, FIGO stage (P = 0.002) and primary platinum resistance (P < 0.001) were independent prognosticators. Significant association was additionally found for parameters analysed for progression‐free survival in HGSC (previous chemotherapy: P = 0.029; age: P = 0.046; FIGO stage, upfront therapy, RD: P < 0.001), of which previous chemotherapy, upfront therapy, and RD were independent prognosticators (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The vast majority of malignant effusions in patients with tubo‐ovarian carcinoma are derived from serous carcinoma or related tumours, such as CS. Histology is a powerful prognostic factor in this patient group, as are established clinical parameters.

The Long-Term Prognostic Significance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Ovarian Cancer-A Study of the OVCAD Consortium

INTRODUCTION

We previously reported the prognostic impact of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a multicenter study on minimal residual disease in primary ovarian cancer. With additional follow-up data, we evaluated the combined CTC approach (CTCs^combo), in particular for the patients who had survived more than five years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Blood samples taken at baseline and six months after adjuvant treatment (follow-up) were assessed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) measuring PPIC transcripts and immunofluorescent staining (IF). A positive result with either IF or qPCR was classified as CTC^combo-positive. Further, PPIC was assessed in the primary tumor tissue.

RESULTS

The concordance of IF and qPCR was 65% at baseline and 83% after treatment. Results showed that 50.5% of the baseline and 29.5% of the follow-up samples were CTC^combo-positive. CTCs^combo after treatment were associated with increased mortality after adjusting for FIGO stage (HR 2.574, 95% CI: 1.227-5.398, p = 0.012), a higher risk of recurrence after adjusting for peritoneal carcinosis (HR 4.068, 95% CI: 1.948-8.498, p < 0.001), and increased mortality after five survived years.

DISCUSSION

The two-sided analytical approach revealed CTC subpopulations associated with ovarian cancer progression and may illuminate a potential treatment-related shift in molecular phenotypes. That approach can identify patients who have elevated risk of recurrence and death due to ovarian cancer and who may require risk-adapted treatment strategies.