HIPEC in Ovarian Cancer Is the Future… and Always Will Be? Results from a Spanish Multicentric Survey

A Clinician's perspective on the role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in ovarian cancer management

The prevention of intraperitoneal spread is of utmost importance in the management of advanced ovarian cancer (OC), thus demanding the exploration of innovative treatment techniques. The propensity of OC to spread to the peritoneum has highlighted the potential of local therapy as a promising approach. Among the proposed treatments thus far are several local intraperitoneal therapies, with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) being one of them. The application of HIPEC may potentially enhance the survival rates of patients with OC, as indicated by a recent publication of high-quality prospective data. The incorporation of HIPEC in conjunction with primary cytoreductive surgery (CRS) does not have a significant impact on either overall survival (OS) or disease-free survival (DFS). However, the incorporation of HIPEC alongside interval CRS, followed by systemic chemotherapy (CTH), markedly enhances both OS and DFS. The most recent data also substantiates the effectiveness of HIPEC in recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC), resulting in an improvement of survival outcomes. Additional research will contribute to the improvement of the HIPEC regimen and technique, as well as the precise identification of patients who will gain the most advantage from this treatment approach. It is recommended to discuss and update (inter)national clinical guidelines for managing patients with advanced OC and peritoneal involvement.

Long-term intraperitoneal access with description of a new access catheter

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Intraperitoneal chemotherapy can be administered as a single dose associated with hyperthermia (HIPEC) or in successive doses under normothermic conditions, such as early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) or normothermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (NIPEC or NIPEC-LT). Repetitive administration of intraperitoneal chemotherapy over a prolonged period may be associated with catheter-related complications, which are the primary cause of treatment interruption. This study aims to introduce and evaluate an innovative catheter system designed to mitigate these issues.

METHODS

Using a porcine experimental model, we tested a new catheter for long-term intraperitoneal access. Sixteen animals underwent catheter implantation followed by normothermic recirculation of peritoneal dialysis solution. Catheter functionality and any complications were monitored throughout successive treatment cycles.

RESULTS

The new catheter system demonstrated optimal recirculation and maintained its functionality throughout successive treatments, without complications. Catheter replacement with a guidewire was successful, ensuring continued efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

The innovative catheter system shows promise in reducing complications and improving compliance in successive intraperitoneal chemotherapy doses, justifying further clinical trials to confirm its efficacy in patients.

Successful Implementation of HITOC and HIPEC in the Management of Advanced Ovarian Carcinoma with Pleural and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis

This case report details the application and outcomes of a novel therapeutic approach involving hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITOC) in a single patient diagnosed with advanced ovarian neoplasm. The treatment protocol included pleural cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HITOC followed by a second surgical intervention consisting of peritoneal CRS and HIPEC. HIPEC targeted the intraperitoneal space with heated chemotherapy, while HITOC extended the thermal perfusion to the thoracic cavity. The patient has shown significant progression in disease-free survival over one year and eight months of observation, demonstrating lower recurrence rates and an overall survival outcome exceeding expectations based on conventional therapy outcomes. The combined modality demonstrated a manageable toxicity profile, with no significant increase in peri- or postoperative complications observed.

Paradigm Shift: A Comprehensive Review of Ovarian Cancer Management in an Era of Advancements

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the female genital malignancy with the highest lethality. Patients present a poor prognosis mainly due to the late clinical presentation allied with the common acquisition of chemoresistance and a high rate of tumour recurrence. Effective screening, accurate diagnosis, and personalised multidisciplinary treatments are crucial for improving patients' survival and quality of life. This comprehensive narrative review aims to describe the current knowledge on the aetiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of OC, highlighting the latest significant advancements and future directions. Traditionally, OC treatment involves the combination of cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy. Although more therapeutical approaches have been developed, the lack of established predictive biomarkers to guide disease management has led to only marginal improvements in progression-free survival (PFS) while patients face an increasing level of toxicity. Fortunately, because of a better overall understanding of ovarian tumourigenesis and advancements in the disease's (epi)genetic and molecular profiling, a paradigm shift has emerged with the identification of new disease biomarkers and the proposal of targeted therapeutic approaches to postpone disease recurrence and decrease side effects, while increasing patients' survival. Despite this progress, several challenges in disease management, including disease heterogeneity and drug resistance, still need to be overcome.

Standardizing Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer Treatment: Navigating Complexities and Charting the Path Forward

The incorporation of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) into the treatment landscape for ovarian cancer has invoked a spectrum of emotions, ranging from enthusiastic anticipation to cautious skepticism [...].