Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer: background including evidence-based data, pitfalls of the data, limitation of treatment in certain groups

Study of alloferon, a novel immunomodulatory antimicrobial peptide (AMP), and its analogues

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are widely distributed throughout the biosphere and represent a class of conserved peptide molecules with intrinsic antimicrobial properties. Their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and low risk to induce resistance have led to increased interest in AMPs as potential alternatives to traditional antibiotics. Among the AMPs, alloferon has been addressed due to its immunomodulatory properties that augment both innate and adaptive immune responses against various pathogens. Alloferon and its analogues have demonstrated pharmaceutical potential through their ability to enhance Natural Killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and stimulate interferon (IFN) synthesis in both mouse and human models. Additionally, they have shown promise in augmenting antiviral and antitumor activities in mice. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the biological effects of alloferon and its analogues, incorporating our own research findings as well. These insights may contribute to a deeper understanding of the therapeutic potential of these novel AMPs.

The potential of PCNA inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in cervical cancer

Cervical cancers are the fourth most common and most deadly cancer in women worldwide. Despite being a tremendous public health burden, few novel approaches to improve care for these malignancies have been introduced. We discuss the potential for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) inhibition to address this need as well as the advantages and disadvantages for compounds that can therapeutically inhibit PCNA with a specific focus on cervical cancer.

Image Guidance Volume-Modulated Arc Radiation Therapy Concurrently With Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Cisplatin for Patients With Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: A Single-Arm Dose Escalation Trial

PURPOSE

Nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) paclitaxel has improved uptake by tumor cells in comparison to paclitaxel. The aim of this study was to determine the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of nab-paclitaxel plus cisplatin with concurrent image guidance volume modulated arc therapy for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This single-arm phase 1 trial followed the standard 3 + 3 dose escalation design. Patients with histologically proven stage IB2-IVA LACC were eligible. Image guidance volume modulated arc therapy included 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions to the pelvis and 59.4 Gy simultaneous boost in 28 fractions to involved pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes, and subsequent high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy at a total dose of 30.0 Gy in 5 fractions, twice a week. Concurrent chemotherapy regimen included weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m²) and weekly nab-paclitaxel at escalating doses (10, 20, 33, 50, and 70 mg/m² per week). Duration of the planned treatment was 8 weeks. Grade 4 hematologic toxicity and grade 3 or above nonhematologic toxicity were considered as DLT. MTD was defined as the highest dose with ≤33% DLT.

RESULTS

A total of 22 patients were enrolled from September 2019 to August 2021. The most common adverse events were grade 1 to 3 leukopenia, diarrhea, and nausea/vomiting. A total of 4 patients (18.0%) experienced DLT: grade 3 hypokalemia at 33 mg/m² (1 of 6 subjects), grade 3 deep vein thrombosis at 50 mg/m² (1 of 6) and 70 mg/m² (1 of 4), and grade 3 perineum edema at 70 mg/m² (1 of 3). The estimated MTD was 50 mg/m². Complete response was observed in 20 patients (90.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing concurrent IG-VAMT with nab-paclitaxel plus cisplatin for LACC, MTD of nab-paclitaxel was 50 mg/m². Complete response rate was 90.9%.

The relationship between the radiation dose of pelvic-bone marrow and lymphocytic toxicity in concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to verify the correlation between medium and low radiation doses of the pelvic-bone marrow and the incidence of lymphocytic toxicity during concurrent chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This research included 117 cervical cancer patients, who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Radiotherapy included external-beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy. The dosimetry parameters include the Volume receiving 5 Gy (V5), 10 Gy (V10), 20 Gy (V20), 30 Gy (V30), 40 Gy (V40), 50 Gy (V50), and the mean dose (D mean) of the bone marrow. Lymphocytic toxicity was calculated from lowest lymphocytic count after two cycles of concurrent chemotherapy.

RESULTS

During concurrent chemoradiotherapy, the incidence of lymphocytic toxicity is 94.88%. The incidence of grade 3-4 toxicity is 68.38%. Multivariate analysis findings show that the dosimetry parameters V5, V10, V20, and V30 are significantly correlated with lymphocytic toxicity. The patients are divided into small-volume subgroups and large-volume subgroups based on the cutoff values. The relative risk of both grade 1-4 and grade 3-4 lymphocytic toxicity is significantly lower in the small-volume subgroups than in the large-volume subgroups (P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis shows that the incidence of both grade 1-4 and grade 3-4 lymphocytic toxicity of the small-volume subgroups is significantly lower than that of the large-volume subgroups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There is a significant correlation between a medium and low dose of pelvic-bone-marrow radiation and incidence of lymphocytic toxicity. Reducing the volume of medium and low radiation doses could effectively reduce incidence of lymphocytic toxicity.

Nimotuzumab combined with chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of cervical cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Objectives

To assess the clinical efficacy and toxicity of nimotuzumab in combination with chemoradiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy alone in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biomedical Medicine, Wanfang, and VIP databases were systematically searched for relevant literature. Ultimately, six randomised controlled trials (n=393) were included in our meta-analysis.

Results

A total of 393 patients were included, of which 197 were in the nimotuzumab combined with chemoradiotherapy group and 196 were in the chemoradiotherapy group. The results of our meta-analysis showed that the complete remission rate (risk ratio [RR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.65, P = 0.007), objective response rate (RR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.16-1.44, P < 0.05), and three-year survival rate (RR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.06-1.51, P = 0.008) in the nimotuzumab combined with chemoradiotherapy group were significantly improved compared with the chemoradiotherapy group. This difference was not statistically significant when comparing the incidence of adverse reactions (such as leukocytopenia, gastrointestinal reaction, radiocystitis, and radioproctitis) between the two groups.

Conclusions

Nimotuzumab in combination with chemoradiotherapy has some advantages over chemoradiotherapy alone in the treatment of cervical cancer and does not increase toxicity. Therefore, nimotuzumab has the potential to be an effective treatment for cervical cancer; however, further evidence from large-scale randomised controlled trials is needed.

Efficacy and safety of endostar combined with chemoradiotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy alone in locally advanced cervical cancer: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the role and safety of endostar in cervical cancer by comparing the efficacy and adverse reactions of endostar combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma.

METHODS

The quality of the included literature was evaluated by searching the database for the comparison of endostar combined with concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cervical cancer patients; objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were used as the main outcome indicators, and statistical analysis was performed using RevMan5.3 and State15.3 software.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies were included in this study, including 1057 patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, suggesting that endostar combined with chemoradiotherapy can significantly improve the objective response rate (ORR: odds ratio 3.88, 95% confidence interval 2.77-5.45, P < .00001) and disease control rate (DCR: odds ratio 4.43, 95% confidence interval 2.78-7.04; P < .00001), and there was no significant increase in treatment-related adverse reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

In this meta-analysis, endostar combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy significantly improved ORR and DCR in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer without increasing toxicity. However, this study only analyzed the short-term efficacy of endostar, and its influence on overall survival and progression-free survival needs to be further verified in large randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up.

Is There a Place for Adjuvant Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer?

Findings on the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) after the concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) therapy were inconsistent, and the OUTBACK trial was expected to shed some light regarding the topic. Its results on ACT in LACC were negative, with the conclusion of not to use it. The objective of this review was to present the inconsistencies of previous studies, along with the OUTBACK trial in more detail, and to rethink whether its results provide an unambiguous and definite answer to the optimal position of ACT in the treatment of LACC. To critically appraise the OUTBACK trial and understand the consequences of its results, we used only randomized controlled studies (RCTs) on ACT in LACC that have been included in high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses. We calculated the pooled prediction intervals using a random effects meta-analysis of all published randomized studies including the OUTBACK trial. After combining the OUTBACK trial with the results of four previous randomized trials, the pooled hazard ratio for overall survival benefit of CCRT + ACT was 0.95 (95% CI 0.75; 1.20). The pooled hazard ratio of the four previous trials was 1.00 (95% CI 0.69; 1.44). The OUTBACK trial improved the precision of the pooled estimate, but the clinical heterogeneity and the consequent prediction intervals are still very wide, and with 95% reliability, we can expect that if the new study, using a similar approach to the ACT, on a randomly selected patient population from the presented five trials is conducted, its hazard ratio for overall survival after ACT would be between 0.47 and 1.93. In conclusion, there is an absolute need for further research in order to optimally define the position of ACT in the treatment of LACC.

Analysis of Treatment Outcomes and Prognosis After Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer

The aims of this study were to investigate the short-term and long-term efficacies and chronic radiotoxicity of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) combined with image-guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and identify prognostic factors in this patient population. The clinical data of 204 patients with cervical cancer who completed CCRT and subsequent brachytherapy in our hospital between February 2015 and March 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Short-term and long-term outcomes, chronic radiotoxicity, and prognostic factors were assessed. The median follow-up was 61.1 months. The short-term objective response (OR) rate was 85%. Lymph node metastasis before treatment was an independent predictor of OR (HR = 6.290, 95% CI: 2.211-17.897, p = 0.001). Fifty-two patients developed recurrence, with a median recurrence-free survival of 9.9 months (range, 2.4-52.2 months) and a post-recurrence survival of 12.1 months (range, 2.9-58.1 months). At 3 years, the cumulative incidence of overall recurrence was 26% (95% CI: 17-36). Multivariate analysis showed that Stage IIIB (HR = 2.332, 95% CI: 1.195-4.551, p = 0.013; reference, Stage IIB) and lymph node metastasis (HR = 4.462, 95% CI: 2.365-8.419, p < 0.001) were significant independent predictors of recurrence. Fifty-three patients developed chronic radiation proctitis (CRP). The incidence of severe CRP was approximately 5%, and the average rectal D2cm3 accumulation in patients with severe CRP was 73.4 Gy which is 3.9 Gy higher than that in patients without CRP (p = 0.013). At 4 years, the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival rates were 65% and 62%, respectively, and lymph node metastasis before treatment was an independent prognostic risk factor for OS. The short-term and long-term efficacies of CCRT combined with IGABT for the treatment of LACC patients were relatively satisfactory. However, the short-term and long-term efficacies of patients with lymph node metastasis before treatment were poor. For patients with lymph node metastasis before treatment, more active individualized treatment strategies should be adopted. When designing a radiotherapy plan, it is necessary to strictly limit the rectal D2cm3 accumulation to prevent serious CRP.

Phenethylisothiocyanate Potentiates Platinum Therapy by Reversing Cisplatin Resistance in Cervical Cancer

Acquired cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer therapy is principally caused by reduction in intracellular drug accumulation, which is exerted by hyperactivation of the oncogenic PI3K/Akt signaling axis and overexpression of cisplatin-exporter MRP2 along with prosurvival effectors NF-κB and IAPs in cervical cancer cells. These activated prosurvival signaling cascades drive drug efflux and evasion of apoptosis for rendering drug-resistant phenotypes. Our study challenges the PI3K/Akt axis in a cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer scenario with phenethylisothiocyanate (PEITC) for chemosensitization of SiHaR, a cisplatin-resistant sub-line of SiHa and 3-methylcholanthrene–induced cervical cancer mice models. SiHaR exhibited higher MRP2, p-AktThr308, NF-κB, XIAP, and survivin expressions which cumulatively compromised cisplatin retention capacity and accumulated PEITC better than SiHa. SiHaR appeared to favor PEITC uptake as its accumulation rates were found to be positively correlated with MRP2 expressions. PEITC treatment in SiHaR for 3 h prior to cisplatin exposure revived intracellular platinum levels, reduced free GSH levels, generated greater ROS, and altered mitochondrial membrane potential compared to SiHa. Western blot and immunofluorescence results indicated that PEITC successfully downregulated MRP2 in addition to suppressing p-AktThr308, XIAP, survivin, and NF-κB expressions. In mice models, administration of 5 mg/kg body-weight PEITC priming dosage prior to treatment with 3 mg/kg body-weight of cisplatin remediated cervical histology and induced tumor regression in contrast to the group receiving the same dosage of cisplatin only. This suggested PEITC as a potential chemosensitizing agent in light of acquired cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer and established its candidature for Phase I clinical trial.

Pretreatment Immune Status, Predicts Response to Definite Chemo Radiotherapy in Advanced Stages of Cervical Cancer Patients

Objective

To evaluate the prognostic role of pretreatment CD4 + , CD8 + T lymphocytes in predicting response to definite chemo radiotherapy in advanced cervical cancer. Design: A hospital-based prospective one-year follow-up study.

Method

This observational study was conducted on 74 patients with advanced cervical cancer. Pretreatment CD4 + and CD8 + levels in cervical cancer tissue and peripheral blood was noted and quantitatively assessed in patients with complete remission or persistent disease after one year of follow-up.

Results

There was a statistically significant association of tumour volume with the remission or persistence of disease. In peripheral blood, mean CD4 + score and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio were significantly higher while mean CD8 + score is significantly lower in patients with remission. Similar results were seen in tumour tissue as well. On Receiver Operating Curve analysis, the cut-off value of CD4 + , CD8 + and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio in predicting remission or persistent disease in peripheral blood was 20.09, 18.51 and 0.41 while in tumor tissue was 19.71, 20.99 and 0.20, respectively.

Conclusion

The patients with tumor volume < 100 cm 2 have much higher chances of remission. The patients with higher CD4 + and CD4 + / CD8 + ratio, both in peripheral blood as well as tumor tissue, have higher chances of remission. The cut-off value of CD4 + , CD8 + and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio in predicting remission or persistent disease in peripheral blood was 20.09, 18.51 and 0.41 while in tumor tissue was 19.71, 20.99 and 0.20, respectively.

HK2 Is a Crucial Downstream Regulator of miR-148a for the Maintenance of Sphere-Forming Property and Cisplatin Resistance in Cervical Cancer Cells

The acquisition of cancer stem-like properties is believed to be responsible for cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance in cervical cancer (CC). CC tissues display a high expression level of hexokinase 2 (HK2), which is critical for the proliferation and migration of CC cells. However, little is known about the functional role of HK2 in the maintenance of cancer stem cell-like ability and cisplatin resistance of CC cells. Here, we showed that the expression of HK2 is significantly elevated in CC tissues, and high HK2 expression correlates with poor prognosis. HK2 overexpression (or knockdown) can promote (or inhibit) the sphere-forming ability and cisplatin resistance in CC cells. In addition, HK2-overexpressing CC cells show enhanced expression of cancer stem cell-associated genes (including SOX2 and OCT4) and drug resistance-related gene MDR1. The expression of HK2 is mediated by miR-145, miR-148a, and miR-497 in CC cells. Overexpression of miR-148a is sufficient to reduce sphere formation and cisplatin resistance in CC cells. Our results elucidate a novel mechanism through which miR-148a regulates CC stem cell-like properties and chemoresistance by interfering with the oncogene HK2, providing the first evidence that dysregulation of the miR-148a/HK2 signaling plays a critical role in the maintenance of sphere formation and cisplatin resistance of CC cells. Our findings may guide future studies on therapeutic strategies that reverse cisplatin resistance by targeting this pathway.

LncRNA OTUD6B-AS1 Induces Cisplatin Resistance in Cervical Cancer Cells Through Up-Regulating Cyclin D2 via miR-206

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological cancers. Cisplatin resistance remains a major hurdle in the successful treatment of cervical cancer. Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in cisplatin resistance. However, the regulatory functions of lncRNAs and miRNAs in cervical cancer cisplatin resistance and the underlying mechanisms are still elusive. Our qRT-PCR assays verified that miR-206 levels were down-regulated in cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer cells. The introduction of miR-206 sensitized cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer cells to cisplatin. Our qRT-PCR and luciferase reporter assays showed that Cyclin D2 (CCND2) was the direct target for miR-206 in cervical cancer cells. The cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer cells expressed higher CCND2 expression than the parental cells, whereas inhibition of CCND2 could sensitize the resistant cells to cisplatin treatment. Furthermore, we demonstrated that lncRNA OTUD6B-AS1 was up-regulated in cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer cells, and knocking down OTUD6B-AS1 expression induced re-acquirement of chemosensitivity to cisplatin in cervical cancer cells. We also showed that OTUD6B-AS1 up-regulated the expression of CCND2 by sponging miR-206. Low miR-206 and high OTUD6B-AS1 expression were associated with significantly poorer overall survival. Taken together, these results suggest that OTUD6B-AS1-mediated down-regulation of miR-206 increases CCND2 expression, leading to cisplatin resistance. Modulation of these molecules may be a therapeutic approach for cisplatin-resistant cervical cancer.

Recombinant Human Adenovirus-p53 Therapy for the Treatment of Cervical Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical curative effects and toxicity of recombinant human adenovirus-p53 injection (rAd-p53) plus chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), or concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Methods

We identified 14 eligible studies in the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wangfangdate, CBM, and VIP databases from their inception to May 2021 and performed meta-analyses using RevMan version 5.3.

Results

This analysis included 14 studies involving 737 patients. The results of the meta-analysis results showed significantly improved complete remission (odds ratio [OR] = 2.54, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.74-3.70, p < 0.00001), partial remission (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.14-2.14, p = 0.006), and object response (OR = 4.47, 95% CI: 3.02-6.60, p < 0.00001) rates in the rAd-p53 combination therapy group compared to those in the CT/RT/CRT group. The results of subgroup analyses of CT/RT/CRT were consistent with the overall results. Regarding the incidence of adverse reactions, only the occurrence rate of fever (OR = 18.21, 95% CI: 10.54-31.47, p < 0.00001) in the rAd-p53 combination group was higher than that in the CT/RT/CRT group. No other significant differences were observed in other adverse reactions.

Conclusion

RAd-p53 combined with CT/RT/CRT for the treatment of cervical cancer showed significant advantages in efficacy and safety compared to those in the CT/RT/CRT group. Therefore, rAd-p53 has great potential as an effective therapy for cervical cancer.

Systematic Review Registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2021-5-0058/.

Chemobrachyradiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer : A retrospective single institution study

BACKGROUND

Given the lack of primary and secondary prevention programs and cancer awareness in general, cervical cancer remains one of the main causes of cancer-related death in developing countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina. Optimization of combinations of external radiation therapy (ERT), brachytherapy and chemotherapy is still needed to improve outcomes in the treatment of advanced cervical cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 48 consecutive patients with Fédération Internationale de Gynecologie et d'Obstetrique (FIGO) 2009 stage IB2-IVA, who were treated with primary concomitant chemobrachyradiotherapy (CCBRT) and consolidation chemotherapy at the Department of Oncology, University Hospital Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina between December 2012 and June 2020. Patients were treated with ERT plus two cycles of concomitant chemobrachytherapy with ifosfamide and cisplatin and low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy followed by four cycles of consolidation chemotherapy at 3‑week intervals. We evaluated local control rate (LCR), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS) and toxicity.

RESULTS

After 45.5 months (interquartile range, IQR = 47 months) of median follow-up, 5‑year DFS was 72.8% (95% confidence interval. CI 59-78%), OS was 76.6% (95% CI 60-79%), and DSS was 88% (95% CI 71-86%) with acceptable toxicity. LCR was 94%.

CONCLUSION

Primary CCBRT and consolidation chemotherapy applied in standard clinical practice in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) produce respectable outcomes.

Improving the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy against radioresistant cancers: Leveraging on novel artificial intelligence-based approaches for drug combination discovery

Despite numerous advances in cancer radiotherapy, tumor radioresistance remain one of the major challenges limiting treatment efficacy of radiotherapy. Conventional strategies to overcome radioresistance involve understanding the underpinning molecular mechanisms, and subsequently using combinatorial treatment strategies involving radiation and targeted drug combinations against these radioresistant tumors. These strategies exploit and target the molecular fingerprint and vulnerability of the radioresistant clones to achieve improved efficacy in tumor eradication. However, conventional drug-screening approaches for the discovery of new drug combinations have been proven to be inefficient, limited and laborious. With the increasing availability of computational resources in recent years, novel approaches such as Quadratic Phenotypic Optimization Platform (QPOP), CURATE.AI and Drug Combination and Prediction and Testing (DCPT) platform have emerged to aid in drug combination discovery and the longitudinally optimized modulation of combination therapy dosing. These platforms could overcome the limitations of conventional screening approaches, thereby facilitating the discovery of more optimal drug combinations to improve the therapeutic ratio of combinatorial treatment. The use of better and more accurate models and methods with rapid turnover can thus facilitate a rapid translation in the clinic, hence, resulting in a better patient outcome. Here, we reviewed the clinical observations, molecular mechanisms and proposed treatment strategies for tumor radioresistance and discussed how novel approaches may be applied to enhance drug combination discovery, with the aim to further improve the therapeutic ratio and treatment efficacy of radiotherapy against radioresistant cancers.

A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Analysis of Oncologic Outcomes for Patients With Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Undergoing Platinum-Based Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy

Objective:

To evaluated the oncologic outcomes associated with platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy following concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in the management of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC).

Methods:

A total of 695 patients with FIGO stage IB2, IIA2, IIB-IVA LACC treated at 6 medical facilities were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: 478 were assigned to CCRT alone (CCRT group) and 217 to adjuvant chemotherapy after CCRT (CCRT-ACT group). The treatment outcomes were retrospectively compared and reported after the propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

Results:

With a median follow-up of 56.4 months, no statistically significant differences were found in overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and distance metastasis-free survival (DMFS) between 2 groups. In CCRT-ACT group, patients with lymph nodes involvement or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) had significantly longer DMFS, but no significant benefit in survival outcomes were observed with more than 2 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Moreover, patients with a high level of CA125 (>20.5U/mL) or SCC-Ag (>22.8μg/L) had a relatively better DFS or PFS, and grade 3-4 acute hematological toxicity, late urinary and lower gastrointestinal complications and diarrhea symptom were more frequent in CCRT-ACT group.

Conclusions:

Adjuvant chemotherapy after CCRT has a potential role in further improving disease control for LACC patients with lymph nodal-metastasis or SCC with a high level of CA125 or SCC-Ag. Due to increased treatment-related complications and diarrhea symptom affecting the quality of life, post-CCRT adjuvant chemotherapy with excessive cycles was not be considered as the most appropriate choice in general.

Outcomes of patients with cervical cancer treated with low- or high-dose rate brachytherapy after concurrent chemoradiation

OBJECTIVE

The majority of patients with cervical cancer in Ghana present with locally advanced disease. In October 2014, high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy was introduced at the National Center for Radiotherapy, Accra after years of using low-dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy. The aim of this study was to compare the treatment outcomes of patients treated with LDR versus HDR brachytherapy.

METHODS

Patients with cervical cancer treated from January 2008 to December 2017 were reviewed. Those with stage IB-IIIB who received chemoradiation plus brachytherapy were included in the study. Post-operative patients and those with stage IV were excluded. The study end points were local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival at 2 years. Endpoints were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparisons between treatment groups were performed using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

We included 284 LDR and 136 HDR brachytherapy patients. For stages IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA and IIIB disease, the 2-year local control for LDR versus HDR brachytherapy was 63% and 61% (p=0.35), 86% and 90% (p=0.68), 86% and 88% (p=0.83), 66% and 60% (p=0.56), and 77% and 40% (p=0.005), respectively. The 2-year disease-free survival for LDR versus HDR brachytherapy was 64% and 61% (p=0.50), 81% and 69% (p=0.18), 81% and 80% (p=0.54), 62% and 33% (p=0.82), and 71% and 30% (p=0.001) for stages IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA, and IIIB, respectively. The 2-year overall survival for LDR versus HDR brachytherapy was 94% and 93% (p=0.92), 98% and 68% (p=0.21), 89% and 88% (p=0.60), and 88% and 82% (p=0.34) for stages IB, IIA, IIB, and IIIB disease, respectively.

CONCLUSION

There was no difference between LDR and HDR brachytherapy in local control and disease-free survival for all stages of disease, except in stage IIIB. These findings highlight the need to refine this brachytherapy technique for this group of patients.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with Endostar in patients with pelvic locoregional recurrence of cervical cancer: Results from a hospital in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The treatment of recurrent cervical cancer, especially pelvic locoregional recurrence, is very challenging for gynecologic oncologists. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with Endostar, a novel modified recombinant human endostatin, in patients with pelvic locoregional recurrence of cervical cancer following surgical treatment.This phase 2 study was conducted between May 2018 and May 2019 at a single center in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and enrolled 31 patients with pelvic locoregional recurrence of cervical cancer following surgical treatment. All patients were treated with IMRT-based CCRT for 6 weeks and intravenous infusions of Endostar (15 mg/m), which were administered on days 1 to 7 of CCRT, followed by rest for 4 weeks. After resting, chemotherapy with cisplatin (70 mg/m) plus paclitaxel (135-175 mg/m) was given every 3 weeks for a total of 4 treatments.Thirty-one patients were evaluable for the primary endpoint. The mean age was 50.03 years (SD 7.72). The objective response rate was 67.74% and the disease control rate was 83.87% (48.39% achieved a complete response, 19.35% a partial response, 16.13% had disease stabilization, and 16.13% had progressive disease). The most common adverse events were nausea, vomiting, alopecia, neutropenia, and leukopenia; most events were grade 1 or 2 in intensity. Grade 3 toxicities included thrombocytopenia and neutropenia in 2 patients each, and leukopenia in 4 patients. No cases of grade 4 acute toxicity were observed.IMRT-based CCRT with Endostar infusions is effective and safe. Our results support the use of this treatment for patients with pelvic locoregional recurrence of cervical cancer following surgical treatment.

Prognostic value of post-treatment ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in uterine cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prognostic value of post-treatment ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET) in uterine cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy.

Methods

PubMed and Embase databases were searched up to July 22, 2018, for studies which evaluated the response outcomes of ¹⁸F-FDG PET following RT, and their prognostic significance in uterine cervical cancer was assessed with overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) as endpoints. Hazard ratios (HRs) were meta-analytically pooled using the random-effects model.

Results

Eleven studies with 12 patient cohorts including 1,104 patients were included. For a quantitative synthesis of OS, 7 cohorts were included. Two cohorts which reported disease-specific survival instead of OS were also included with flexibility. Pooled HR of complete metabolic response (CMR) compared to partial metabolic response (PMR) was 0.19 (95% confidence interval [CI]=0.11–0.31). Pooled HR of CMR compared to progressive metabolic disease (PMD) was more evident at 0.07 (95% CI=0.04–0.12), and that of CMR compared to both PMR and PMD was 0.20 (95% CI=0.12–0.34). Quantitative synthesis for PFS was performed with a total of 8 cohorts. Pooled HR of CMR was 0.17 (95% CI=0.10–0.29) compared to PMR, 0.02 (95% CI=0.01–0.06) compared to PMD and 0.12 (95% CI=0.07–0.19) compared to both PMR and PMD.

Conclusion

Response results of post-RT ¹⁸F-FDG PET were significant prognostic factors in patients with uterine cervical cancer, and ¹⁸F-FDG PET could be a reasonable follow-up imaging modality.

Antisense of survivin inhibits cervical cancer growth in mice

INTRODUCTION

It is proposed that survivin plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cancer. Immune regulatory cells are associated with the growth of cancer in the body. Antisenses for the key molecules can suppress tumor growth. This study tests the hypothesis that the antisense of survivin can inhibit cervical cancer.

RESULTS

The results showed that human cervical cancer cells expressed high levels of survivin. The levels of survivin in cervical cancer positively correlated with the frequency of interleukin (IL)-10-producing B cells (B10 cells) in the cancer tissue. Survivin increased the expression of IL-10 in B cells. Exposure to survivin antisense efficiently decreased IL-10 expression in B cells. Administration of antisense of survivin inhibited cervical cancer growth and reduced the frequency of B10 cells in tumor-bearing mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the survivin antisense has the potential to be used in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Systemic therapy for cervical carcinoma - current status

Two major treatment modalities in cervical cancer are radiation therapy (RT) and surgery. Chemotherapy continues to be the main form of systemic therapy adjunctive to definitive local therapies, and is used for palliation. Platinum-based regimens, administered concurrently with both definitive and postoperative RT, were demonstrated to provide significant survival benefits, whereas the beneficial effect of concurrent chemoradiotherapy in later-stage disease was smaller. The role of chemotherapy in addition to RT in IB1/IIA1 cervical cancer patients not undergoing surgery remains undefined. Likewise, the role of chemotherapy in combination with postoperative RT for patients with intermediate-risk factors for recurrence has not yet been verified. The recent standard for chemoradiotherapy is cisplatin alone administered weekly. Other cisplatin-based or non-cisplatin-based regimens have not been subjected to large clinical studies. The benefits of consolidation chemotherapy after chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer are still undetermined. Neoadjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy followed by surgery has shown survival benefits, however its role in the era of chemoradiotherapy remains unclear. The combination of cisplatin and paclitaxel is considered a standard regimen in the palliative setting. There is no standard of care for second-line systemic therapy in advanced cervical cancer. Bevacizumab combined with palliative chemotherapy (cisplatin/paclitaxel or topotecan/paclitaxel) in the first-line treatment for recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer significantly improves overall survival when compared to chemotherapy alone. The role of immunotherapy in cervical cancer remains to be established. The optimal combined modality treatment including systemic therapy for cervical tumors of non-squamous histology remains a matter of debate. Ongoing accumulation of data on genomic and proteomic characteristics provides insight into the molecular heterogeneity of cervical cancer and paves the way for developing molecularly targeted therapies.

Assessment of drug therapy problems among patients with cervical cancer at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

Background

Although cervical cancer is preventable, it is still the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the world. Further, it is estimated that around 5–10% of hospital admissions are due to drug related problems (DRPs), of which 50% are avoidable. In cancer therapy, there is an immense potential for DRPs due to the high toxicity of most chemotherapeutic regimens. Hence, this study sought to assess DRPs among patients with cervical cancer at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the oncology units of KNH. A total of 81 study participants were recruited through simple random sampling. Data were collected from medical records and interviewing patients. The appropriateness of medical therapy was evaluated by comparing with National Compressive Cancer Network and European Society for Medical Oncology practice guideline of cervical cancer treatment protocol. The degree of adherence was determined using eight-item Morisky medication adherence scale. The likelihood of drug interaction was assessed using Medscape, Micromedex and Epocrates drug interaction checkers. The data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using statistical software STATA version 13.0. Descriptive statistics such as mean, percent and frequency were used to summarise patients’ characteristics. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to investigate the potential predictors of DRPs.

Result

A total of 215 DRPs were identified from 76 patients, translating to a prevalence of 93.8% and a mean of 2.65 ± 1.22 DRPs. The predominant proportion of DRPs (48.2%) was identified in patients who had been treated with chemoradiation regimens. Adverse drug reactions 56(69.1%) and drug interactions 38(46.9%) were the most prevalent DRPs. Majority (67.9%) of the study population were adherent to their treatment regimens. Forgetfulness 18(69.2%), expensive medications 4(15.4%) and side effects of medications 4(15.4%) were the main reasons for medication non-adherence. Patients with advanced stage cervical cancer were 15.4 times (AOR = 15.4, 95% CI = 1.3–185.87, p = 0.031) more likely to have DRPs as compared to patients with early stage disease.

Conclusion

Adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, and need of additional drug therapy were the most common DRPs identified among cervical cancer patients. Advanced stage cervical cancer was the only predictor of DRPs.