Diabetes mellitus and ovarian cancer: more complex than just increasing risk

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for endometrial cancer and is associated with poorer outcomes in breast and colon cancers. This association is less clear in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We sought to examine the effect of DM on progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in women with EOC.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of EOC patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2009 at a single institution was performed. Demographic, pathologic and DM diagnosis data were abstracted. Pearson chi-square test and t test were used to compare variables. The Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test were used to compare PFS and OS between non-diabetic (ND) and DM patients.

RESULTS

62 (17%) of 367 patients had a diagnosis of DM. No differences in age, histology, debulking status, or administration of intraperitoneal chemotherapy between ND and DM patients were present, although there were more stage I and IV patients in the ND group (p=0.04). BMI was significantly different between the two groups (ND vs. DM, 27.5 vs. 30.7kg/m(2), p<0.001). While there were no differences in survival based on BMI, diabetic patients had a poorer PFS (10.3 vs. 16.3months, p=0.024) and OS (26.1 vs. 42.2months, p=0.005) compared to ND patients. Metformin use among diabetic patients did not appear to affect PFS or OS.

CONCLUSIONS

EOC patients with DM have poorer survival than patients without diabetes; this association is independent of obesity. Metformin use did not affect outcomes. The pathophysiology of this observation requires more inquiry.

Monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy of ovarian cancer: targeting ovarian cancer cells with the B7-H3-specific mAb 376.96

OBJECTIVE

The high rate of relapse in patients with advanced ovarian cancer likely reflects the chemoresistance of cancer initiating cells (CICs). We evaluated the anti-tumor activity of monoclonal antibody (mAb) 376.96, which recognizes a B7-H3 epitope expressed on ovarian carcinoma cells (OCCs), in combination with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Sunitinib and chemotherapy on chemosensitive and chemoresistant cells and CICs.

METHODS

Eight ovarian cancer cell lines including platinum- and taxane-resistant cell lines were analyzed by flow cytometry to establish expression of the mAb 376.96-defined-B7-H3-epitope on differentiated ovarian cancer cells and CICs. Samples from 10 ovarian cancer patients were analyzed via immunohistochemistry for mAb 376.96-defined-B7-H3-epitope expression. In vitro studies assessed mAb 376.96 alone and in combination with Sunitinib on the growth of chemosensitive and chemoresistant cell lines and on the content of CICs.

RESULTS

The mAb-376.96-defined-B7-H3 epitope is expressed on both differentiated cells and CICs in chemosensitive and chemoresistant ovarian cancer cell lines and 10 patient derived ovarian cancer tumors. In vitro treatment of chemoresistant cell lines with mAb 376.96 resulted in decreased cell viability. mAb 376.96 enhanced the cytotoxicity of Sunitinib and reduced the content of CICs.

CONCLUSION

The mAb-376.96-defined-B7-H3-epitope was found to be expressed on both differentiated ovarian cancer cells and CICs in chemosensitive and chemoresistant ovarian cancer cell lines. mAb 376.96 inhibited the in vitro growth of chemosensitive and chemoresistant OCCs and reduced the content of CICs when used with Sunitinib. Further studies examining B7-H3 as a potential target of mAb-based immunotherapy for this type of malignancy are warranted.

Incidence of port site hernias and/or dehiscence in robotic-assisted procedures in gynecologic oncology patients

OBJECTIVES

The incidence of port site hernia and/or dehiscence using bladeless trocars is 0-1.2%. Robotic surgery uses additional port sites and increases manipulation of instruments, raising the concern for more complications. We sought to characterize the incidence of port site complications following robotic surgery when fascia was not routinely closed.

METHODS

Robotically-assisted (RA) procedures performed for suspected gynecologic malignancy between 1/2006 and 12/2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Bladeless 12 mm and 8mm robotic trocars were used. Fascial closure was not routinely performed except after specimen removal through the port site. The decision to close the fascia remained at the discretion of the surgeon.

RESULTS

Data from 842 procedures were included. Mean patient age was 55.6 years. Mean Body Mass Index was 33.6 kg/m(2). RA-total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH)± unilateral or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO)± lymphadenectomy (LND) accounted for 91.6% of procedures. Final pathology confirmed malignancy in 58.6% of cases, primarily endometrial cancer. In 35 cases, the specimen was removed through the port site; fascia was closed in 54.3% of them and no port site hernias or dehiscences occurred. Only one patient underwent a RA-TLH/BSO/LND for endometrial adenocarcinoma and had a port site dehiscence of the 8mm trocar site. No port site hernias occurred.

CONCLUSION

Port site hernias and dehiscences are rare in RA gynecologic oncology procedures. When bladeless dilating trocars are used, routine closure of even up to a 12 mm port site is unnecessary, even in cases requiring removal of the specimen through the trocar sites.

A review of B7-H3 and B7-H4 immune molecules and their role in ovarian cancer

A number of members of the B7 superfamily of ligands have been implicated in tumor immunogenicity and cancer development. Two of these recently characterized ligands, B7-H4 and B7-H3, have been linked to ovarian tumors. B7-H4 is consistently overexpressed in ovarian tumor specimens, and its tissue and serum levels have been found to be a potential biomarker for ovarian cancer, either alone or in combination with CA125. More recently, B7-H3 has been found to be overexpressed in a large series of ovarian cancer tumor specimens and similar to other types of carcinomas, B7-H3 overexpression has been correlated with poor survival. On the basis of the results obtained by knocking down B7-H3 protein using siRNA, researchers have suggested that blocking the action of B7-H3 could reduce tumor growth, metastatic potential, and improve survival. Because siRNA knock-down is not an ideal clinical therapeutic vehicle, additional studies using antibody-mediated suppression of the B7-H3 protein are necessary to fully evaluate the clinical potential of this molecule as a therapeutic target.

The effect of the APPRISE mandate on use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and transfusion rates in ovarian cancer patients

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Background: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have long been used to support chemotherapy-induced anemia in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Recent studies have demonstrated that ESAs may lead to increased tumor growth and shorter survival. The FDA mandated new guidelines (APPRISE, for Assisting Providers and Cancer Patients with Risk Information for the Safe use of ESAs) for consenting patients before ESA administration. We sought to quantify the change in ESA use and RBC transfusion rates after the APPRISE mandate was instituted. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified patients with EOC undergoing chemotherapy after initiating the APPRISE mandate. A similar subset of patients treated prior to the APPRISE guidelines served as a control cohort. Abstracted data included patient demographics, primary or second line treatment status, chemotherapy regimen, number of patients requiring ESA or RBCs, or both, and a cost savings analysis. Results: 84 patients with EOC were identified as having undergone 367 cycles of first or second line chemotherapy after the APPRISE guidelines were instituted. A matched set of 88 patients receiving 613 cycles of chemotherapy within a year prior to institution of the APPRISE guidelines was analyzed for comparison. The two groups were statistically similar. Most patients in each group were initially diagnosed with advanced stage disease, were receiving primary chemotherapy, and were receiving taxane/platinum-based chemotherapy. 45 of 88 patients (51%) in the pre-APPRISE group received a total of 196 ESA injections compared to 0 of 84 patients (0%) in the post-APPRISE group. In spite of discontinuing the use of ESAs and no change in transfusion thresholds, RBC transfusion in the post-APPRISE group was similar to that in the pre-APPRRISE group (8.3% vs. 14.8%, p=.28). Omission of ESAs in the post-APPRISE group resulted in a cost-savings of an estimated $700,000 in billable charges. Conclusions: In our institution, the APPRISE guidelines resulted in complete cessation of ESA use in patients with EOC, resulting in considerable cost savings. Importantly, RBC transfusion rates did not increase after the guidelines were imposed.

Referral patterns and incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in adolescent and pregnant patients: the impact of the 2006 guidelines

OBJECTIVE

The 2006 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology consensus guidelines for management of abnormal cervical cytologic diagnosis made significant changes to referral recommendations for adolescent and pregnant populations. In this study, we sought to review the impact of these new guidelines on referral patterns, along with the incidence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3 and cervical cancer in these 2 populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

After obtaining institutional review board approval, a retrospective chart review of 12,333 patients referred to a single colposcopy clinic between January 2004 and November 2009 was performed. This colposcopy clinic serves as a statewide referral center. All adolescent patients (<21 y) and pregnant patients were included for analysis. Patients were analyzed in 2 groups with respect to implementation of the 2006 guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using χ2 and Student t test.

RESULTS

Between 2004 and 2007, before implementation of the 2006 guidelines, 9,346 patients were referred to the colposcopy clinic. Overall, 1,398 adolescents and 958 pregnant patients were identified and included in the analysis. The mean age was 23.0 years (range = 10-60 y). Of the 1,398 adolescent patients, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) Pap smears accounted for 406 referrals (29.0%). Of the 958 pregnant patients, ASCUS cytologic diagnosis accounted for 284 referrals (29.6%). One case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was identified in the pregnant population (0.1%), and no cases of SCC were diagnosed in the adolescent population. After implementation of the 2006 guidelines, between 2008 and 2009, a total of 2,987 patients were referred, including 113 adolescent patients and 168 pregnant patients. Mean age was 25.5 (range = 16-54 y), which was not significantly different from 2004 to 2007, p = .79. Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance accounted for 6 referrals (5.3%) in the adolescent population and 15 referrals (8.9%) in the pregnant population. The decrease in the proportion of ASCUS cytologic diagnosis referrals in these populations was statistically significant at p < .001. No adolescent or pregnant patients were diagnosed with SCC during their colposcopic evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2006 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology consensus guidelines decreased the number of ASCUS cytologic diagnosis referrals to colposcopy in the adolescent and pregnant populations. The overall number of patients with SCC in these populations is quite small, therefore practitioners can be reassured that the new screening guidelines are unlikely to miss this diagnosis. These guidelines provide an efficient, evidence-based approach to the cytologic evaluation of these special populations.