Treatment Patterns and Outcomes Among Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer Initiating First-Line Therapy in the United States

Background: Patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (EC) typically have limited treatment options and poor long-term survival outcomes following first-line therapy. Real-world treatment patterns and survival outcomes data are limited for patients in this setting. Objectives: The objective of this retrospective study was to describe real-world demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and overall survival among patients in the United States with primary advanced or recurrent EC who initiated at least 1 line of therapy (LOT). Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of primary advanced or recurrent EC in a real-world database from January 1, 2013, to July 31, 2021, were included. The date for inclusion was the date of EC diagnosis documentation; patients were indexed for treatment patterns and outcomes at the start of the first LOT and at the start of each subsequent LOT they initiated. Data were stratified by subgroups of patients who had mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors. Results: A total of 1961 patients who received at least 1 LOT were included. Most patients in this cohort, and the dMMR/MSI-H subgroup, received a platinum combination as first-line treatment, with carboplatin-paclitaxel being the most common regimen. Only 53% of patients who received first-line treatment subsequently received second-line therapy. Of the patients who received at least 1 LOT, use of immunotherapy in the second-line setting was more common in the dMMR/MSI-H subgroup. Median overall survival ranged from 14.1 to 31.8 months across the 5 most frequently used first-line treatment regimens in the ≥1 LOT cohort and became shorter with each subsequent LOT. Discussion: The use of platinum-based chemotherapy for first-line treatment of advanced or recurrent EC predominates in the real-world setting, despite the poor long-term survival outcomes associated with most of these regimens. Conclusions: Patients with recurrent/advanced EC have a poor prognosis, highlighting the need for therapies with more durable benefits.

Real-world trends of PARPi maintenance treatment uptake and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) in the United States

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Background: Since 2018, the FDA has approved 2 PARP inhibitors (PARPi), niraparib and olaparib, for first-line (1L) maintenance therapy for OC. Using real-world population data, we assessed trends of 1L PARPi maintenance treatment uptake and PFS of pts with newly diagnosed AOC. Methods: Pts diagnosed with AOC between January 1, 2017, and June 30, 2021, who completed 1L chemo were identified from the nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record (EHR)-derived de-identified database. We calculated descriptive statistics describing pt demographics, clinico-pathological characteristics, and 1L treatment patterns. The use of PARPi or active surveillance (AS) was identified during a 120-day period after the last dose of 1L chemo. The end of the 1L treatment identification period was defined as the index date. Time to next treatment was used as a proxy for PFS and was defined as time from the index date to the next therapy, last clinical activity, end of study period, or death. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox models were used to analyze the PFS endpoint. Results: A total of 705 pts were included in the study; 166 received PARPi monotherapy (PARPi mono) and 539 underwent AS after completion of 1L chemo. Median age was 68 y for AS vs. 65 y for PARPi mono (Table). Median time from last chemo to initiation of PARPi mono was 48.5 d. Median follow-up was 20.6 mo for AS and 10.9 mo for PARPi mono. In the overall group, median PFS (mPFS) was 9.53 mo for AS vs. not reached (NR) for PARPi mono. In those with BRCA mutations ( BRCAm), corresponding mPFS was 11.4 mo vs. NR and for BRCA wild type ( BRCAwt) was 9.1 mo vs. 13.5 mo. On multivariate analysis, 1L PARPi maintenance was an independent predictor for improved PFS when compared to AS in all pts (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34-0.63), BRCAm (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.07-0.41) and BRCAwt (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.35-0.72). Stage IV at initial diagnosis, no debulking surgery, residual disease, and BRCAwt status were associated with poorer PFS. Trends analysis over the 4-year study period showed PARPi mono use increased from 6% in 2017 to 53% in 2021. Conclusions: This real-world analysis shows that adoption of PARPi mono in the 1L maintenance setting in pts with newly diagnosed AOC has increased to 53% in 2021. PARPi use, when compared with AS, was associated with significantly improved mPFS in both pts with BRCAm and BRCAwt. [Table: see text]

Treatment patterns among patients with advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer in the United States

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Background: Among patients (pts) with endometrial cancer (EC), response rates for platinum-based regimens in the first-line (1L) setting range from 40% to 62% in clinical trials. This study describes patient characteristics, treatment patterns, time to next treatment (TTNT), and overall survival (OS) among pts with advanced/recurrent EC treated with a platinum-based regimen in a real-world setting in the US. Methods: This retrospective study used Optum Clinformatics Extended Data Mart de-identified databases from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2019. Adult pts with advanced/recurrent EC who initiated a 1L platinum-based regimen and subsequently initiated second-line (2L) antineoplastic therapy were identified. Prior to initiation of 1L, a 12-month washout period of continuous enrollment without use of antineoplastic agents (except hormonal agents) was imposed. Kaplan-Meier (KM) rates were used to report TTNT and OS from 2L, third line (3L), and fourth line (4L), separately. Results: A total of 1878 pts with advanced/recurrent EC initiated 2L therapy following a platinum-based regimen in 1L. Among them, 739 (39.4%) pts initiated 3L and 330 (17.6%) initiated 4L or later (4L+) therapy. Median pt age was 68.0 years. More pts received platinum-based regimens (56.4%) in 2L than other options (Table). Few pts (3.3%) received immunotherapy. Among pts receiving 3L, a similar percentage of pts were treated with platinum-based (33.2%) and other chemotherapy regimens (33.8%); few pts received immunotherapy (3.0%). Among pts receiving 4L+, the most frequent treatment option was other chemotherapy (46.1%). Median TTNT was 17.7, 10.6, and 8.4 months for 2L, 3L, and 4L pts, respectively. KM rates of OS following initiation of 2L therapy at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 68.4%, 49.6%, 41.3%, and 33.6%, respectively, with a median OS of 23.5 months. Conclusions: Among pts with advanced/recurrent EC treated with platinum-based therapy in 1L, platinum-based regimens remain prevalent treatment choices in later lines of therapy. In this study, immunotherapy was used infrequently in 2L, 3L, and 4L+. The median TTNT decreased in later lines of therapy. This study highlights a critical need for novel, more effective treatment options in later lines of therapy to optimize outcomes among pts with advanced/recurrent EC.[Table: see text]

Budget impact analysis of niraparib for first-line maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer from a US payer perspective

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and has the highest mortality rate of gynecological cancers. Niraparib was recently approved by the FDA for the maintenance treatment of adult patients with advanced epithelial OC in complete or partial response to first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) regardless of biomarker status. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the direct economic impact on US payers of adding niraparib as a first-line maintenance therapy for patients with advanced OC. METHODS: The model considered 2 scenarios: a current scenario in which niraparib does not have regulatory approval for first-line maintenance therapy and a future scenario in which niraparib has regulatory approval for first-line maintenance therapy. The budget impact was calculated as the difference in cost between the 2 scenarios. The budget impact model (BIM) considered 2 different US health care payer perspectives: a commercial health plan and a Medicare plan. Both payer perspectives were assumed to have a hypothetical 1 million affiliates that were covered. Epidemiological data was used to estimate the eligible incident population of patients with OC. Active surveillance, bevacizumab (as a monotherapy), and olaparib (as a monotherapy restricted to patients with the breast cancer gene [BRCA] mutation) were included in the model as alternative maintenance treatment options (maintenance treatment options required 1% market share for inclusion). Cost categories considered in the BIM included diagnostic testing, treatment acquisition and administration, treatment-emergent adverse events, and subsequent therapy. Results were presented as an incremental budget impact to payers over 3 years. RESULTS: For a commercial health plan of 1 million affiliates, the estimated impact of adding niraparib as a first-line maintenance treatment option for advanced epithelial OC was calculated as $87,906, $93,106, and $87,037 for years 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The average budget impact per member per month was $0.007. For a Medicare health plan of 1 million affiliates, the estimated impact was calculated as $206,785, $219,017, and $204,739 for years 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The average budget impact per member per month was $0.018. One-way sensitivity analyses suggested that budget impact was most sensitive to the treatment duration and market share of niraparib, the non-treatment-specific data on overall survival rates, and the treatment duration of bevacizumab. Treatment of drug-specific adverse events had little impact on the budget model. CONCLUSIONS: The model estimated a minimal budget impact to both a commercial or Medicare health plan following the introduction of niraparib as a first-line maintenance therapy for patients with advanced epithelial OC who are in complete or partial response to first-line PBC regardless of biomarker status. DISCLOSURES: This study was financially supported by GlaxoSmithKline. Liu, Hawkes, Maiese, and Hurteau are employees of GlaxoSmithKline. Travers was employed by GlaxoSmithKline at the time of this study. Spalding and Walder are employees of FIECON Ltd., which was contracted by GlaxoSmithKline to develop the budget impact model used in this study.

Real-world patterns and predictors of first-line maintenance use among patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: Is there an opportunity for change?

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Background: With the advent of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), options for first-line (1L) maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer (OC) have evolved in the US. This study described the use of 1L maintenance and assessed predictors of 1L maintenance use among PARPi-eligible patients (pts) with OC in a real-world setting. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pts with newly diagnosed stage III/IV epithelial OC who received 6–9 cycles of 1L platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) and primary or interval debulking surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy between Jan 1, 2016, and Feb 29, 2020, from the nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record–derived deidentified database. The end of the last cycle of 1L PBC was defined as the index date. Those pts who started second-line chemotherapy within 2 months of the index date were excluded. Logistic regression was used to analyze variables with regard to 1L maintenance use. Results: In total, 463 pts were included; 21% received maintenance therapy, 79% received active surveillance. Baseline characteristics are shown in the table. Overall maintenance therapy use increased over the study period, from 7.7% to 37.7%. Pts with BRCA wild type were significantly less likely to receive maintenance therapy (odds ratio [OR]: 0.30; 95% CI, 0.16–0.59) than pts with BRCA mutation. Pts treated in 2018 (OR: 2.73; 95% CI, 1.25–5.98) and 2019 (OR: 8.78; 95% CI, 4.15–18.55) were significantly more likely to receive maintenance therapy than pts treated in 2017. Age, race, practice type, ECOG score, and residual disease status were not significant predictors of 1L maintenance use. Conclusions: Nearly 40% of pts with advanced stage OC received upfront maintenance therapy with an increasing trend over time, particularly in those with biomarker guidance. Research is warranted toward addressing barriers to the appropriate use of maintenance therapy.[Table: see text]

Reasons for first-line maintenance therapy discontinuation among patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer treated in real-world settings

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Background: PARP inhibitor (PARPi) and bevacizumab have been integrated into the first-line (1L) maintenance therapy for patients (pts) with ovarian cancer (OC). However, due to adverse events, the rate of PARPi maintenance discontinuation was 12% in the SOLO1 clinical trial. We aimed to better understand the rate and cause of maintenance therapy discontinuation in real-world practice. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using de-identified electronic health record (EHR)–derived data from the nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health database. From January 1, 2016, to February 29, 2020, data were obtained for pts with newly diagnosed stage III/IV epithelial OC who received primary debulking surgery followed by 6–9 cycles of 1L platinum-based chemo or neoadjuvant chemo followed by interval debulking surgery. Index date was the end of 1L systemic therapy. Results: Of 675 pts with stage III/IV OC who underwent primary systemic therapy, 144 (21.3%) received 1L maintenance therapy and were included in the analysis. Mean age was 65.0 y. Most pts were treated in community practice (93.1%), had ECOG score of 0–1 at diagnosis (81.3%), and were shown to be BRCA wild type (66.7%). Bevacizumab was the most common 1L maintenance therapy (n = 69, 47.9%), followed by olaparib (n = 46, 31.9%), paclitaxel (n = 18, 12.5%), rucaparib (n = 10, 6.9%), and gemcitabine (n = 1, 0.7%). Overall, 34 (23.6%) pts discontinued 1L maintenance therapy. The most common reason for discontinuation was disease progression (n = 19, 13.2%), followed by treatment-related toxicity (n = 13, 9.0%; Table). Of 56 pts who received PARPi (olaparib or rucaparib) 1L maintenance therapy, 21 (37.5%) pts discontinued treatment: 11 (19.6%) because of disease progression, 9 (16.0%) treatment-related toxicity, and 1 for other reasons. Conclusions: In pts with advanced OC who received 1L maintenance therapy in clinical practice, disease progression was the most common reason for maintenance therapy discontinuation. The rates of toxicity-related discontinuations were comparable with those reported in clinical trials.[Table: see text]

Outcomes after targeted treatment based on somatic tumor genetic testing for women with gynecologic cancers

OBJECTIVE

Molecular tumor profiling and next-generation sequencing are being increasingly utilized, but there are limited data on the therapeutic implications and potential benefits of targeted treatments. We aim to characterize gynecologic oncology patients referred for somatic tumor genetic mutation testing and assess survival outcomes, efficacy, and toxicities of those receiving targeted therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of gynecologic oncology patients referred for somatic tumor testing by next generation sequencing between 1/1/2012-8/23/2019. The primary objective was to compare overall and progression free survival between those treated with targeted therapy (group 1) versus traditional treatment (group 2).

RESULTS

Most patients (70%) had additional treatment options available based on actionable mutations. The median number of somatic mutations identified was 5 (range 0-53). Patients in group 1 had more actionable somatic mutations (median 2 versus 0, p < 0.001). There was no difference in OS (median 64 versus 76 months, p = 0.97) or PFS (median 2 versus 8 months, p = 0.05) between the groups. While fewer patients in group 1 experienced neuropathy (0 versus 5, p = 0.02), grade I/II thrombocytopenia (7 versus 13, p = 0.03), grade III/IV thrombocytopenia (0 versus 4, p = 0.02), and grade III/IV neutropenia (1 versus 9, p = 0.002), all other non-hematologic toxicities were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Most gynecologic cancer patients have actionable mutations and may benefit from a personalized targeted therapy treatment plan. Next generation sequencing can be used to identify clinically actionable mutations in gynecologic cancers and guide the selection of treatments, thereby expanding treatment options without worsening survival or toxicity.

Real-world progression-free survival among patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: Does maintenance therapy work?

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Background: Options for first-line (1L) maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer (OC) have evolved in the US in recent years, particularly with FDA approvals of poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi). Olaparib was approved in 2018 for 1L maintenance treatment of patients (pts) with advanced OC with BRCA mutation and in 2020 as combination therapy with bevacizumab for 1L maintenance treatment of pts with homologous recombination deficient (HRd)–positive tumors. Additionally, the FDA approved niraparib in 2020 for maintenance treatment of pts with advanced OC regardless of tumor biomarker status. This study aimed to describe use and outcomes of 1L maintenance vs. active surveillance (AS) among PARPi-eligible pts with OC in a real-world setting prior to the most recent 2020 FDA approvals. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pts with newly diagnosed stage III/IV OC who received 6–9 cycles of 1L platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) and either primary debulking surgery or interval debulking surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy between January 1, 2016, and February 29, 2020, regardless of biomarker status, from the Flatiron Health database, a longitudinal electronic health record-derived database consisting of de-identified patient-level data that are curated via technology-enabled abstraction. The end of the last cycle of 1L PBC was defined as the index date. Pts who started second-line (2L) treatment within 2 months of the index date were excluded. Primary endpoint was time to initiation of 2L systemic therapy (as a surrogate for progression) or death. Inverse probability of treatment weighting and Cox proportional hazard model were used to adjust for baseline differences among pts on maintenance therapy and pts on AS. Results: A total of 463 pts were included in the study, 87.7% from community practices and 12.3% from academic institutions. Of the pts included, 21.0% received maintenance therapy, while 79.0% did not. Of those who received maintenance therapy, 48.5% received bevacizumab, 40.2% received PARPi (olaparib, rucaparib), and 11.3% received paclitaxel. Median progression-free survival (PFS) for pts who received 1L maintenance therapy was 16.1 months, compared with 12.2 months in pts who did not receive 1L maintenance therapy. After adjusting for baseline differences in characteristics and demographics, including age, race, stage of cancer, and BRCA status, pts on maintenance therapy had a statistically significant, 29% lower risk of progression or death than those receiving AS (hazard ratio: 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52–0.99; P= 0.04). Conclusions: In this real-world analysis, the majority of pts did not receive maintenance therapy; however, a PFS benefit was found in those receiving maintenance therapy. Further studies are needed to understand how biomarker status drives practice patterns.

Treatment patterns among patients with advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer in the United States

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Background: Among patients (pts) with endometrial cancer (EC), response rates for platinum-based regimens in the first-line (1L) setting range from 40% to 62% in clinical trials. This study describes patient characteristics, treatment patterns, time to next treatment (TTNT), and overall survival (OS) among pts with advanced/recurrent EC treated with a platinum-based regimen in a real-world setting in the US. Methods: This retrospective study used Optum Clinformatics Extended Data Mart de-identified databases from January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2019. Adult pts with advanced/recurrent EC who initiated a 1L platinum-based regimen and subsequently initiated second-line (2L) antineoplastic therapy were identified. Prior to initiation of 1L, a 12-month washout period of continuous enrollment without use of antineoplastic agents (except hormonal agents) was imposed. Kaplan-Meier (KM) rates were used to report TTNT and OS from 2L, third line (3L), and fourth line (4L), separately. Results: A total of 1878 pts with advanced/recurrent EC initiated 2L therapy following a platinum-based regimen in 1L. Among them, 739 (39.4%) pts initiated 3L and 330 (17.6%) initiated 4L or later (4L+) therapy. Median pt age was 68.0 years. More pts received platinum-based regimens (56.4%) in 2L than other options (Table). Few pts (3.3%) received immunotherapy. Among pts receiving 3L, a similar percentage of pts were treated with platinum-based (33.2%) and other chemotherapy regimens (33.8%); few pts received immunotherapy (3.0%). Among pts receiving 4L+, the most frequent treatment option was other chemotherapy (46.1%). Median TTNT was 17.7, 10.6, and 8.4 months for 2L, 3L, and 4L pts, respectively. KM rates of OS following initiation of 2L therapy at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years were 68.4%, 49.6%, 41.3%, and 33.6%, respectively, with a median OS of 23.5 months. Conclusions: Among pts with advanced/recurrent EC treated with platinum-based therapy in 1L, platinum-based regimens remain prevalent treatment choices in later lines of therapy. In this study, immunotherapy was used infrequently in 2L, 3L, and 4L+. The median TTNT decreased in later lines of therapy. This study highlights a critical need for novel, more effective treatment options in later lines of therapy to optimize outcomes among pts with advanced/recurrent EC.[Table: see text]

Real-world patterns and predictors of first-line maintenance use among patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: Is there an opportunity for change?

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Background: With the advent of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), options for first-line (1L) maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer (OC) have evolved in the US. This study described the use of 1L maintenance and assessed predictors of 1L maintenance use among PARPi-eligible patients (pts) with OC in a real-world setting. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included pts with newly diagnosed stage III/IV epithelial OC who received 6–9 cycles of 1L platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) and primary or interval debulking surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy between Jan 1, 2016, and Feb 29, 2020, from the nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record–derived deidentified database. The end of the last cycle of 1L PBC was defined as the index date. Those pts who started second-line chemotherapy within 2 months of the index date were excluded. Logistic regression was used to analyze variables with regard to 1L maintenance use. Results: In total, 463 pts were included; 21% received maintenance therapy, 79% received active surveillance. Baseline characteristics are shown in the table. Overall maintenance therapy use increased over the study period, from 7.7% to 37.7%. Pts with BRCA wild type were significantly less likely to receive maintenance therapy (odds ratio [OR]: 0.30; 95% CI, 0.16–0.59) than pts with BRCA mutation. Pts treated in 2018 (OR: 2.73; 95% CI, 1.25–5.98) and 2019 (OR: 8.78; 95% CI, 4.15–18.55) were significantly more likely to receive maintenance therapy than pts treated in 2017. Age, race, practice type, ECOG score, and residual disease status were not significant predictors of 1L maintenance use. Conclusions: Nearly 40% of pts with advanced stage OC received upfront maintenance therapy with an increasing trend over time, particularly in those with biomarker guidance. Research is warranted toward addressing barriers to the appropriate use of maintenance therapy.[Table: see text]

Treatment patterns of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer following platinum-based therapy in the U.S. real-world setting

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Background: Patient (pt) prognosis is poor following disease progression on or after primary (1L) platinum-based therapy (PBT) for advanced/recurrent (A/R) endometrial cancer (EC), and no consensus on standard second-line (2L) therapy exists. This retrospective analysis aimed to understand real-world (RW) treatment patterns of pts with A/R mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite instability-high (dMMR/MSI-H) EC who progressed after 1L PBT. Methods: Physicians in Cardinal Health’s Oncology Provider Extended Network submitted retrospective data by abstracting outpatient electronic medical records of pts who received systemic treatment for A/R EC following PBT from 2016 to 2018. Demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were summarized descriptively. Results: This study included 84 pts with A/R dMMR/MSI-H EC (table). The majority of participating physicians were hematologists/medical oncologists (80%) and practiced in the community setting (70%). Median duration of therapy (mDOT) in 1L was 4.9 months (95% CI, 4.47–5.57); 64% of pts discontinued treatment due to completion and 35% due to disease progression. In contrast, mDOT in 2L was 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.40–6.37); 37% of pts discontinued treatment due to completion and 44% due to disease progression. The most common MMR/MSI testing modalities were next-generation sequencing (NGS) only, immunohistochemistry (IHC) only, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) only (table). Conclusions: RW treatment patterns in pts with A/R dMMR/MSI-H EC show that most will undergo PBT retreatment. However, progression is the main reason for discontinuation during retreatment. An urgent need exists for durable therapies that improve prognosis. Opportunities to improve timely testing of MMR/MSI exist. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline, Waltham, MA, USA. [Table: see text]

Treatment patterns of advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer following platinum-based therapy in the US real-world setting

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Background: Following disease progression on or after primary (1L) platinum-based therapy (PBT) for advanced/recurrent (A/R) endometrial cancer (EC), patient (pt) prognosis is poor and no consensus on standard second-line therapy exists. This retrospective analysis aimed to understand real-world (RW) treatment patterns of pts with A/R mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite instability-high (dMMR/MSI-H) EC who progressed after 1L PBT. Methods: Physicians in Cardinal Health’s Oncology Provider Extended Network submitted retrospective data by abstracting outpatient electronic medical records of pts who received systemic treatment for A/R EC following PBT from 2016 to 2018. Demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments received, and outcomes were summarized descriptively. Results: This study included 84 pts with A/R dMMR/MSI-H EC (table). The majority of participating physicians were hematologists/medical oncologists (80%) and practiced in the community setting (70%). Median duration of therapy (mDOT) in 1L was 4.9 months (95% CI, 4.47–5.57); 64% of pts discontinued treatment due to therapy completion and 35% due to disease progression. In contrast, mDOT in 2L was 6.2 months (95% CI, 5.40–6.37); 37% of pts discontinued treatment due to therapy completion and 44% due to disease progression. The most common MMR/MSI testing modalities were next-generation sequencing (NGS) only, immunohistochemistry (IHC) only, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) only (table). Conclusions: RW treatment patterns in pts with A/R dMMR/MSI-H EC show that most will undergo PBT retreatment. However, progression is the main reason for discontinuation during retreatment. An urgent need exists for durable therapies that improve prognosis. Opportunities to improve timely testing of MMR/MSI exist. [Table: see text]

Phase II Trial of Cabozantinib in Recurrent/Metastatic Endometrial Cancer: A Study of the Princess Margaret, Chicago, and California Consortia (NCI9322/PHL86)

PURPOSE

The relevance of the MET/hepatocyte growth factor pathway in endometrial cancer tumor biology supports the clinical evaluation of cabozantinib in this disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PHL86/NCI#9322 (NCT01935934) is a single arm study that evaluated cabozantinib (60 mg once daily) in women with endometrial cancer with progression after chemotherapy. Coprimary endpoints were response rate and 12-week progression-free-survival (PFS). Patients with uncommon histology endometrial cancer (eg, carcinosarcoma and clear cell) were enrolled in a parallel exploratory cohort.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patients were accrued. Among 36 endometrioid histology patients, response rate was 14%, 12-week PFS rate was 67%, and median PFS was 4.8 months. In serous cohort of 34 patients, response rate was 12%, 12-week PFS was 56%, and median PFS was 4.0 months. In a separate cohort of 32 patients with uncommon histology endometrial cancer (including carcinosarcoma), response rate was 6% and 12-week PFS was 47%. Six patients were on treatment for >12 months, including two for >30 months. Common cabozantinib-related toxicities (>30% patients) included hypertension, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and hand-foot syndrome. Gastrointestinal fistula/perforation occurred in four of 70 (6%) patients with serous/endometrioid cancer and five of 32 (16%) patients in exploratory cohort. We observed increased frequency of responses with somatic CTNNB1 mutation [four partial responses (PRs) in 10 patients, median PFS 7.6 months] and concurrent KRAS and PTEN/PIK3CA mutations (three PRs in 12 patients, median PFS 5.9 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Cabozantinib has activity in serous and endometrioid histology endometrial cancer. These results support further evaluation in genomically characterized patient cohorts.

Phase II Trial of Chemopreventive Effects of Levonorgestrel on Ovarian and Fallopian Tube Epithelium in Women at High Risk for Ovarian Cancer: An NRG Oncology Group/GOG Study

A large body of epidemiologic evidence has shown that use of progestin-containing preparations lowers ovarian cancer risk. The purpose of the current study was to gather further preclinical evidence supporting progestins as cancer chemopreventives by demonstrating progestin-activation of surrogate endpoint biomarkers pertinent to cancer prevention in the genital tract of women at increased risk of ovarian cancer. There were 64 women enrolled in a multi-institutional randomized trial who chose to undergo risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) and to receive the progestin levonorgestrel or placebo for 4 to 6 weeks prior to undergoing BSO. The ovarian and fallopian tube epithelia (FTE) were compared immunohistochemically for effects of levonorgestrel on apoptosis (primary endpoint). Secondary endpoints included TGFβ isoform expression, proliferation, and karyometric features of nuclear abnormality. In both the ovary and fallopian tube, levonorgestrel did not confer significant changes in apoptosis or expression of the TGFβ1, 2, or 3 isoforms. In the ovarian epithelium, treatment with levonorgestrel significantly decreased the proliferation index. The mean ovarian Ki-67 value in the placebo arm was 2.027 per 100 cells versus 0.775 per 100 cells in the levonorgestrel arm (two-sided P value via Mann-Whitney U test = 0.0114). The karyometric signature of nuclei in both the ovarian and FTE deviated significantly from normal controls (women at average risk of ovarian cancer), but was significantly less abnormal in women treated with levonorgestrel. These karyometric data further support the idea that progestins may clear genetically abnormal cells and act as chemopreventive agents against ovarian and fallopian tube cancer.

Overall survival and updated progression-free survival outcomes in a randomized phase II study of combination cediranib and olaparib versus olaparib in relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND

Olaparib is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor and cediranib is an oral anti-angiogenic. In the primary analysis of this phase II study, combination cediranib/olaparib improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with olaparib alone in relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. This updated analysis was conducted to characterize overall survival (OS) and update PFS outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety patients were enrolled to this randomized, open-label, phase II study between October 2011 and June 2013 across nine United States-based academic centers. Data cut-off was 21 December 2016, with a median follow-up of 46 months. Participants had relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer of high-grade serous or endometrioid histology or had a deleterious germline BRCA1/2 mutation (gBRCAm). Participants were randomized to receive olaparib capsules 400 mg twice daily or cediranib 30 mg daily and olaparib capsules 200 mg twice daily until disease progression.

RESULTS

In this updated analysis, median PFS remained significantly longer with cediranib/olaparib compared with olaparib alone (16.5 versus 8.2 months, hazard ratio 0.50; P = 0.007). Subset analyses within stratum defined by BRCA status demonstrated statistically significant improvement in PFS (23.7 versus 5.7 months, P = 0.002) and OS (37.8 versus 23.0 months, P = 0.047) in gBRCA wild-type/unknown patients, although OS was not statistically different in the overall study population (44.2 versus 33.3 months, hazard ratio 0.64; P = 0.11). PFS and OS appeared similar between the two arms in gBRCAm patients. The most common CTCAE grade 3/4 adverse events with cediranib/olaparib remained fatigue, diarrhea, and hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Combination cediranib/olaparib significantly extends PFS compared with olaparib alone in relapsed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Subset analyses suggest this margin of benefit is driven by PFS prolongation in patients without gBRCAm. OS was also significantly increased by the cediranib/olaparib combination in this subset of patients. Additional studies of this combination are ongoing and should incorporate analyses based upon BRCA status.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT0111648.

Is carboplatin-based chemotherapy as effective as cisplatin-based chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced-stage dysgerminoma in children, adolescents and young adults?

OBJECTIVE

Dysgerminoma is the most common malignant ovarian germ cell tumor (GCT) with peak incidence during adolescence and young adulthood. Current standard of care for patients with disease that has spread outside of the ovary (advanced-stage) utilizes platin-based chemotherapy regimens. The study objective was to compare clinical outcomes between platin-based (carboplatin versus cisplatin) strategies across all age groups (children < 11 years (y), adolescents = 11-25 y and young adult women > 25 y) for advanced-stage dysgerminoma.

METHODS

The Malignant Germ Cell Tumor International Consortium (MaGIC) pooled data from six GCT trials (3 = pediatric, 3 = adult) conducted internationally by pediatric and gynecologic oncology clinical trial organizations (CTOs) between 1983 and 2009. Newly diagnosed patients, with advanced-stage (FIGO IC-IV) dysgerminoma, who received either carboplatin- or cisplatin-based chemotherapy were eligible for analysis.

RESULTS

126 eligible patients were identified; 56 patients (38 = pediatric, 18 = adult) received carboplatin-based and 70 patients (50 = pediatric, 20 = adult) received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Mean age was 20 y (range = 6-46 y). The median follow-up was 10.3 y (range = 0.17-21.7 y). The five-year event-free survival (EFS₅) and overall survival (OS₅) was 0.94 (95%CI, 0.88-0.97) and 0.96 (95%CI, 0.91-0.99) respectively. Survival outcomes were comparable between carboplatin-(EFS₅ = 0.96 (95%CI, 0.85-0.99), OS₅ = 0.96 (95%CI, 0.85-0.99)) and cisplatin-(EFS₅ = 0.93 (95%CI, 0.83-0.97), OS₅ = 0.96 (95%CI, 0.87-0.99)) based regimens. Across three age groups, comparison of the EFS₅ (<11 y = 0.1, 11-25 y = 0.91 (95%CI, 0.82-0.96), >25 y = 0.97 (95%CI, 0.81-0.99)) and OS₅ (<11 y = 0.1, 11-25 y = 0.95 (95%CI, 0.87-0.99), >25 y = 0.97 (95%CI, 0.81-0.99)) did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences in outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients diagnosed with dysgerminoma have an excellent OS, across all ages, even in the context of metastatic disease. Data from three large CTOs supports the investigation of carboplatin-based regimens in the frontline treatment of all patients with advanced-stage dysgerminoma to minimize treatment-related toxicities.

Overall survival and updated progression-free survival results from a randomized phase 2 trial comparing the combination of olaparib and cediranib against olaparib alone in recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer

5535

Background: We previously reported that the combination of cediranib (ced) and olaparib (olap) improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall response rates (ORR) in women with recurrent platinum-sensitive (plat-sens) high-grade serous (HGS) or BRCA-related ovarian cancer (OvCa) (NCT 01116648). We conducted an updated PFS and overall survival (OS) analysis. Methods: Patients (pts) across 9 centers were randomized 1:1 in this Ph 2 open label study to Olap (olap 400 mg capsules BID) or Ced/Olap (olap 200 mg capsules BID; ced 30 mg daily), stratified by BRCA status and prior anti-angiogenic therapy. Eligibility included pts with recurrent plat-sens HGS or BRCA-related OvCa. Pts had measurable disease by RECIST 1.1, PS 0 or 1, and the ability to take POs. No prior anti-angiogenics in the recurrent setting or prior PARP inhibitor was allowed. PFS was defined as time from randomization to radiographic progression or death. OS was defined as time from randomization to death. Results: Pts were enrolled from Oct 2011 to Jun 2013: 46 to Olap, 44 to Ced/Olap. 48 pts were known BRCA carriers (25 Olap; 23 Ced/Olap). As of Dec 21, 2016, 67 pts had a PFS event, and 52 pts had an OS event. Updated median PFS was 8.2 mos for Olap and 16.5 mos for Ced/Olap (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.30-0.83, p=0.007). Median OS was 33.3 mos for Olap and 44.2 mos for Ced/Olap (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.36-1.11, p=0.11). Within known germline BRCA mut carriers, updated PFS was 16.5 vs 16.4 mos (HR 0.75, p=0.42), and OS was 40.1 vs 44.2 mos (HR 0.79, p=0.55) for Olap and Ced/Olap, respectively. In pts without known germline BRCA mut, updated PFS was 5.7 vs 23.7 mos (HR 0.32, p=0.002), and OS was 23.0 vs 37.8 mos (HR 0.48, p=0.074). Conclusions: Updated PFS results consistently demonstrated that Ced/Olap significantly extended PFS compared to Olap in the overall population of women with plat-sens OvCa. In this Phase 2 study not powered to detect OS diferences, there was a trend towards OS improvement with Ced/Olap, particularly in pts without a known germline BRCA mutation. Results from ongoing studies of this oral combination in OvCa are of clinical interest. Clinical trial information: NCT 01116648.

Phase II study of cabozantinib (cabo) in patients (pts) with recurrent/metastatic endometrial cancer (EC): A study of the Princess Margaret, Chicago, and California phase II consortia

5524

Background: Recurrent/metastatic EC has a poor prognosis with no standard 2ndline therapy. Cabo is a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor of MET, VEGFR, TIE2, AXL & KIT, relevant in epithelial-stromal cross-talk. The role of MET/HGF in aggressive EC biology, where transient benefit of VEGF-targeting is due to MET/HGF, TIE2 & AXL, provides rationale for MET targeting in EC. Methods: PHL86 (NCI#9322/NCT01935934) is a multi-centre, phase II trial of cabo (60mg oral daily dose) in pts with EC recurring within a year of adjuvant chemotherapy (ctx), or with progression after 1 line of ctx for metastatic disease. Experimental (E) cohort was stratified by histology (serous (SER) vs endometroid (END)) in a Simon two-stage design for co-primary endpoints of response rate ( > 30%) & 12-week progression-free-survival (PFS) ( > 55%). Activity was defined as > 7 partial responses (PRs) or > 15 instances of 12 wk-PFS in 36 pts. Pts with rare histology EC were treated in a parallel exploratory (Ex) cohort. Results: From May 2013 to Nov 2016, 102 pts (E: 71; Ex: 31) have been treated with cabo after prior radiation (59) and/or ctx (no. lines: 1(77); 2(22)). Cabo was well tolerated with common toxicities of fatigue, nausea, diarrhea & hand-foot syndrome. Most frequent Grade 3/4 toxicity was hypertension (32/101 pts). Fistula/perforation occurred in 4 of 71 SER/END pts & 4 of 31 Ex pts; no risk factors were identified. In 33 END pts, 6 PRs & 24 instances of > 12-wk PFS were observed; median PFS is 4.8 mths (95% CI: 4.4 – 6.4) with estimated 6-mth PFS of 43% (95% CI: 27 to 59%). In 34 SER pts, 4 PRs & 20 instances of > 12-wk PFS were observed; median PFS is 4.0 mths (95% CI: 2.7 – 4.7) with estimated 6-mth PFS of 30% (95% CI: 15 to 46%). 4 pts have had PFS > 12 mths, 1 SER pt remains on study after 25mths. Mutational analysis demonstrated presence of KRAS with PTEN or PIK3CA mutations in 9 (SER/END) pts, of whom 8/9 pts met 12-wk PFS endpoint, with a median PFS 5.9 mth (4.1 to 15.4). Conclusions: Cabo has single agent activity in END and SER EC with durable disease control. Concurrent mutation in KRAS/PTEN/PIK3CA may enrich for response. The current data support further evaluation of cabo in EC. Clinical trial information: NCT01935934.

Pediatric and Adolescent Extracranial Germ Cell Tumors: The Road to Collaboration

During the past 35 years, survival rates for children with extracranial malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) have increased significantly. Success has been achieved primarily through the application of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens; however, clinical challenges in GCTs remain. Excellent outcomes are not distributed uniformly across the heterogeneous distribution of age, histologic features, and primary tumor site. Despite good outcomes overall, the likelihood of a cure for certain sites and histologic conditions is less than 50%. In addition, there are considerable long-term treatment-related effects for survivors. Even modest cisplatin dosing can cause significant long-term morbidities. A particular challenge in designing new therapies for GCT is that a variety of specialists use different risk stratifications, staging systems, and treatment approaches for three distinct age groups (childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood). Traditionally, pediatric cancer patients younger than 15 years have been treated by pediatric oncologists in collaboration with their surgical specialty colleagues. Adolescents and young adults with GCTs often are treated by medical oncologists, urologists, or gynecologic oncologists. The therapeutic dilemma for all is how to best define disease risk so that therapy and toxicity can be appropriately reduced for some patients and intensified for others. Further clinical and biologic insights can only be achieved through collaborations that do not set limitations by age, sex, and primary tumor site. Therefore, international collaborations, spanning different cooperative groups and disciplines, have been developed to address these challenges.

Patterns and utility of routine surveillance in high grade endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate surveillance methods and their utility in detecting recurrence of disease in a high grade endometrial cancer population.

METHODS

We performed a multi-institutional retrospective chart review of women diagnosed with high grade endometrial cancer between the years 2000 and 2011. Surveillance data was abstracted and analyzed. Surveillance method leading to detection of recurrence was identified and compared by stage of disease and site of recurrence.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifty-four patients met the criteria for inclusion. Vaginal cytology was performed in the majority of early stage patients, but was utilized less in advanced stage patients. CA-125 and CT imaging were used more frequently in advanced stage patients compared to early stage. Thirty-six percent of patients experienced a recurrence and the majority of initial recurrences (76%) had a distant component. Modalities that detected cancer recurrences were: symptoms (56%), physical exam (18%), surveillance CT (15%), CA-125 (10%), and vaginal cytology (1%). All local recurrences were detected by symptoms or physical exam findings. While the majority of loco-regional and distant recurrences (68%) were detected by symptoms or physical exam, 28% were detected by surveillance CT scan or CA 125. One loco-regional recurrence was identified by vaginal cytology but no recurrences with a distant component detected by this modality.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptoms and physical examination identify the majority of high grade endometrial cancer recurrences, while vaginal cytology is the least likely surveillance modality to identify a recurrence. The role of CT and CA-125 surveillance outside of a clinical trial needs to be further reviewed.

Combination cediranib and olaparib versus olaparib alone for women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer: a randomised phase 2 study

BACKGROUND

Olaparib is a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor and cediranib is an anti-angiogenic agent with activity against VEGF receptor (VEGFR) 1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3. Both oral agents have antitumour activity in women with recurrent ovarian cancer, and their combination was active and had manageable toxicities in a phase 1 trial. We investigated whether this combination could improve progression-free survival (PFS) compared with olaparib monotherapy in women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In our randomised, open-label, phase 2 study, we recruited women (aged ≥18 years) who had measurable platinum-sensitive, relapsed, high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer, or those with deleterious germline BRCA1/2 mutations from nine participating US academic medical centres. We randomly allocated participants (1:1) according to permuted blocks, stratified by germline BRCA status and previous anti-angiogenic therapy, to receive olaparib capsules 400 mg twice daily or the combination at the recommended phase 2 dose of cediranib 30 mg daily and olaparib capsules 200 mg twice daily. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival analysed in the intention-to-treat population. The phase 2 trial is no longer accruing patients. An interim analysis was conducted in November, 2013, after 50% of expected events had occurred and efficacy results were unmasked. The primary analysis was performed on March 31, 2014, after 47 events (66% of those expected). The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01116648.

FINDINGS

Between Oct 26, 2011, and June 3, 2013, we randomly allocated 46 women to receive olaparib alone and 44 to receive the combination of olaparib and cediranib. Median PFS was 17·7 months (95% CI 14·7-not reached) for the women treated with cediranib plus olaparib compared with 9·0 months (95% CI 5·7-16·5) for those treated with olaparib monotherapy (hazard ratio 0·42, 95% CI 0·23-0·76; p=0·005). Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were more common with combination therapy than with monotherapy, including fatigue (12 patients in the cediranib plus olaparib group vs five patients in the olaparib monotherapy group), diarrhoea (ten vs none), and hypertension (18 vs none).

INTERPRETATION

Cediranib plus olaparib seems to improve PFS in women with recurrent platinum-sensitive high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian cancer, and warrants study in a phase 3 trial. The side-effect profile suggests such investigations should include assessments of quality of life and patient-reported outcomes to understand the effects of a continuing oral regimen with that of intermittent chemotherapy.

FUNDING

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (3 U01 CA062490-16S2); Intramural Program of the Center for Cancer Research; and the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, NIH.

Adolescents and young adults with a "rare" cancer: getting past semantics to optimal care for patients with germ cell tumors

Because the tumors of adolescence and young adulthood (AYA) are distinct from those that occur earlier and later in life, the most common tumors in this age group are termed “rare.” We offer a collaborative, cross-disciplinary, evidence-based approach, advocated and funded by civil society, to advance the field of germ cell tumor and potentially to apply to other rare AYA tumors.

A randomized phase 2 trial comparing efficacy of the combination of the PARP inhibitor olaparib and the antiangiogenic cediranib against olaparib alone in recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer

LBA5500

Background: PARP inhibitors and anti-angiogenics are clinically active in recurrent ovarian cancer (OvCa). Preclinical studies suggest these agents can synergize, and a phase 1 study showed that the combination of cediranib (ced) and olaparib (olap) is well-tolerated. We therefore compared the activity of olap alone (Olap) to combined ced and olap (Ced/Olap) in treatment of recurrent platinum-sensitive (plat-sens) high-grade serous (HGS) or BRCA-related OvCa (NCT 01116648). Methods: Patients (pts) across 9 centers were randomized 1:1 in this Ph 2 open label study to Olap (olap 400 mg capsules BID) or Ced/Olap (olap 200 mg capsules BID; ced 30 mg daily), stratified by BRCA status and prior anti-angiogenic therapy. Eligibility included pts with recurrent plat-sens HGS or BRCA-related OvCa. Pts had measurable disease by RECIST 1.1, PS 0 or 1, and the ability to take POs. No prior anti-angiogenics in the recurrent setting or prior PARP inhibitor was allowed. Progression-free survival (PFS) was defined as time from randomization to radiographic progression or death. With a target N=90 pts, the study was powered to detect a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.75 (median PFS 6 vs 10.5 mo). Results: Pts were enrolled from Oct 2011 to Jun 2013: 46 to Olap, 44 to Ced/Olap. 48 pts were known BRCA carriers (25 Olap; 23 Ced/Olap). At a planned interim analysis the DSMB recommended release of data. As of Jan 7, 2014, 41 pts had a PFS event. Median PFS was 9.0 mos for Olap and 17.7 mos for Ced/Olap (HR 2.9, 95% CI 1.5-5.6, p = 0.001). There were 2 complete responses (CR) and 21 partial responses (PR) in pts on Olap (56% objective response rate, ORR) and 3 CRs and 33 PRs in pts on Ced/Olap (84% ORR, p = 0.008). The overall rate of Gr3/4 toxicity was higher for pts on Ced/Olap (70%) than on Olap (7%). Differentially occurring toxicities included fatigue (27% Ced/Olap vs 7% Olap), diarrhea (23% vs 0%), and hypertension (39% vs 0%). Updated efficacy and exploratory subgroup analyses will be presented. Conclusions: Combined Ced/Olap significantly extended PFS and ORR compared to Olap in plat-sens OvCa. Further studies of this oral combination in plat-sens OvCa are warranted. Clinical trial information: NCT01116648.

Severe craniosynostosis in an infant with deletion 22q11.2 syndrome

We report a male infant with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and very severe multi-sutural craniosynostosis associated with increased intracranial pressure, marked displacement of brain structures, and extensive erosion of the skull. While uni- or bi-sultural craniosynostosis is a recognized (though relatively uncommon) feature of 22q11 deletion syndrome, a severe multi-sutural presentation of this nature has never been reported. SNP Microarray was otherwise normal and the patient did not have common mutations in FGFR2, FGFR3, or TWIST associated with craniosynostosis. While markedly variable expressivity is an acknowledged feature of deletion 22q11 syndrome, herein we also consider and discuss the possibility that this infant may have been additionally affected with an undiagnosed single gene disorder.

Common variants at 12p11, 12q24, 9p21, 9q31.2 and in ZNF365 are associated with breast cancer risk for BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutation carriers

INTRODUCTION

Several common alleles have been shown to be associated with breast and/or ovarian cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Recent genome-wide association studies of breast cancer have identified eight additional breast cancer susceptibility loci: rs1011970 (9p21, CDKN2A/B), rs10995190 (ZNF365), rs704010 (ZMIZ1), rs2380205 (10p15), rs614367 (11q13), rs1292011 (12q24), rs10771399 (12p11 near PTHLH) and rs865686 (9q31.2).

METHODS

To evaluate whether these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with breast cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 carriers, we genotyped these SNPs in 12,599 BRCA1 and 7,132 BRCA2 mutation carriers and analysed the associations with breast cancer risk within a retrospective likelihood framework.

RESULTS

Only SNP rs10771399 near PTHLH was associated with breast cancer risk for BRCA1 mutation carriers (per-allele hazard ratio (HR) = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.81 to 0.94, P-trend = 3 × 10-4). The association was restricted to mutations proven or predicted to lead to absence of protein expression (HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.90, P-trend = 3.1 × 10-5, P-difference = 0.03). Four SNPs were associated with the risk of breast cancer for BRCA2 mutation carriers: rs10995190, P-trend = 0.015; rs1011970, P-trend = 0.048; rs865686, 2df-P = 0.007; rs1292011 2df-P = 0.03. rs10771399 (PTHLH) was predominantly associated with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer for BRCA1 mutation carriers (HR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.74 to 0.90, P-trend = 4 × 10-5) and there was marginal evidence of association with ER-negative breast cancer for BRCA2 mutation carriers (HR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62 to 1.00, P-trend = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

The present findings, in combination with previously identified modifiers of risk, will ultimately lead to more accurate risk prediction and an improved understanding of the disease etiology in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Adjuvant treatment for early ovarian cancer: a randomized phase III trial of intraperitoneal 32P or intravenous cyclophosphamide and cisplatin--a gynecologic oncology group study

PURPOSE

To conduct a prospective study of intraperitoneal radioactive chromic phosphate (32P) versus cyclophosphamide-cisplatin (CP) in women with early ovarian cancer at high risk for recurrence (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage Ia or Ib grade 3 or Ic or stage II, no macroscopic residual disease) and to compare cumulative incidence of recurrence, overall survival, and relative toxicity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 251 patients were randomly assigned to treatment with 32P or CP. Twenty-two (8.7%) were ineligible following centralized pathology review. Of the 229 patients included in the analysis, 110 received 32P, and 119 received CP.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of recurrence at 10 years was 35% (95% CI, 27% to 45%) for patients receiving 32P and 28% (95% CI, 21% to 38%) for those receiving CP. Patients receiving CP had a recurrence rate 29% lower than that of those receiving 32P (P =.15, two-tail test). The death rate for patients treated with CP was 17% lower than that for patients treated with 32P (difference not significant). Combining both arms, the 10-year cumulative incidence of recurrence for all stage I patients was 27% (95% CI, 20% to 34%) compared with 44% (95% CI, 32% to 56%) for stage II patients (P =.01). Both regimens were reasonably well tolerated, but problems with inadequate distribution (7%) and small-bowel perforation (3%) make the otherwise less toxic 32P less acceptable.

CONCLUSION

Although there are no statistically significant differences in survival, the lower cumulative recurrence seen with CP and complications of 32P administration make platinum-based combinations the preferred adjuvant therapy for early ovarian cancer patients at high-risk for recurrence.

The risk of nodal metastasis in early adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix*

A functional and widely accepted definition of microinvasive cervical adenocarcinoma remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to determine at which depth of invasion the likelihood of lymph node metastasis or disease recurrence was so small that conservative surgery could be considered appropriate. Charts of patients with adenocarcinoma of the cervix (ACC) who underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy (n = 98) at Indiana University Medical Center from 1987 to 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with stage IA1-IB1 lesions were included in the study. Patients treated with preoperative radiotherapy were excluded. Pathologic parameters evaluated included histologic type, depth of stromal invasion (DOI), and the presence of lymphatic vascular space invasion, or lymph node metastases. The patient median age was 39 years (20-65). The median time of follow-up was 30 months (4-124). Lymph node metastases were found in ten patients and 11 developed recurrences. The precise DOI could be measured in 84 patients. Of the 48 patients with cancers with a DOI </= 5 mm, none had involved parametria or nodes; whereas eight of the 36 with a DOI > 5 mm had nodal metastases (P = 0.00069). None of these 48 patients with a tumor DOI </= 5 mm developed a recurrence whereas six of the 36 patients with a tumor DOI > 5 mm developed recurrent disease (P = 0.0048). The risk of nodal metastases and recurrence is so low in patients with ACC and DOI </= 5 mm that for patients with such depth documented on conization with negative margins pelvic lymphadenectomy may be omitted.

The risk of nodal metastasis in early adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix*

A functional and widely accepted definition of microinvasive cervical adenocarcinoma remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to determine at which depth of invasion the likelihood of lymph node metastasis or disease recurrence was so small that conservative surgery could be considered appropriate. Charts of patients with adenocarcinoma of the cervix (ACC) who underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy (n = 98) at Indiana University Medical Center from 1987 to 1998 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with stage IA1–IB1 lesions were included in the study. Patients treated with preoperative radiotherapy were excluded. Pathologic parameters evaluated included histologic type, depth of stromal invasion (DOI), and the presence of lymphatic vascular space invasion, or lymph node metastases. The patient median age was 39 years (20–65). The median time of follow-up was 30 months (4–124). Lymph node metastases were found in ten patients and 11 developed recurrences. The precise DOI could be measured in 84 patients. Of the 48 patients with cancers with a DOI ≤ 5 mm, none had involved parametria or nodes; whereas eight of the 36 with a DOI > 5 mm had nodal metastases (P = 0.00069). None of these 48 patients with a tumor DOI ≤ 5 mm developed a recurrence whereas six of the 36 patients with a tumor DOI > 5 mm developed recurrent disease (P = 0.0048). The risk of nodal metastases and recurrence is so low in patients with ACC and DOI ≤ 5 mm that for patients with such depth documented on conization with negative margins pelvic lymphadenectomy may be omitted.

Regulation of invasion of epithelial ovarian cancer by transforming growth factor-beta

OBJECTIVE

The metastatic process in epithelial ovarian cancer is thought to involve surface shedding and subsequent dissemination of ovarian cancer cells, facilitated by localized proteolysis at the interface between ovarian cancer cells and peritoneal surfaces. The factors regulating the metastatic process, however, are not well understood. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional peptide that elicits numerous cellular effects pertinent to the metastatic process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the regulatory role of TGF-beta on metastasis in ovarian cancer.

METHOD

We evaluated the effect of TGF-beta on the metastatic characteristics (adhesion, invasion, motility, proteolysis) of five ovarian cancer cell lines (DOV-13 and OVCA 420, 429, 432, and 433), two short-term primary ovarian cancer cell cultures (OVCA 10 and OVCA 208), and five normal ovarian surface epithelial (NOSE) cell cultures (OSE 133, 185, 186, 188, and 189). The effect of TGF-beta on invasion and proteolysis was quantified using a modified Boyden chamber invasion assay, zymography, a coupled colorimetric activity assay, and an HPLC-based quantitation of synthetic substrate cleavage.

RESULTS

TGF-beta significantly increased invasion in five of seven ovarian cancer cell lines in amounts ranging from 2- to 20-fold. In contrast, TGF-beta significantly decreased invasion in two of five NOSE isolates by 50 to 80% and had no significant effect on invasion in three. TGF-beta treatment increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in OVCA 420 and 433 and DOV-13, resulting in MMP-dependent collagen cleavage and invasive activity. Addition of the MMP inhibitor GI12947 neutralized the enhancing effect of TGF-beta on invasion. TGF-beta had no effect on ovarian cancer cell motility and only increased adhesion in DOV-13.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that TGF-beta may enhance the invasiveness of ovarian cancers through induction of MMP activity.

Cardiac electron-beam CT in children undergoing surgical repair for pulmonary atresia

PURPOSE

To study whether electron-beam computed tomography (CT) is as accurate as conventional angiocardiography for the characterization of the true pulmonary arteries and the aortopulmonary collateral vessels in children undergoing surgical correction for pulmonary atresia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-three children with pulmonary atresia underwent 48 cardiac-triggered dynamic contrast material-enhanced electron-beam CT studies. Correlation was made with surgical findings in all patients and with 34 cineangiocardiograms. Data from reconstructed electron-beam CT images and cineangiocardiograms were reviewed for the presence, caliber, and origin of true pulmonary arteries and aortopulmonary collateral vessels; for stenosis; for thrombosis; and for the patency of vascular conduits and shunts.

RESULTS

Electron-beam CT was more sensitive than angiography in the identification of hypoplastic and/or nonconfluent branch pulmonary arteries, coronary anomalies, conduit and shunt thrombosis, and other postoperative complications, but it was less sensitive in the demonstration of stenoses at collateral vascular origins and anastomoses. Overall test parameters for electron-beam CT and angiography to characterize pulmonary vascularity were similar (sensitivity, 0.94 vs 0.90; specificity, 0.99 for both; accuracy, 0.97 vs 0.95). Three-dimensional reconstructions, although they were helpful in conveying electron-beam CT findings to referring cardiologists and surgeons, did not add diagnostic information to that displayed on images of the transverse sections.

CONCLUSION

Electron-beam CT complements conventional diagnostic angiocardiography in preoperative evaluation, especially in the detection of hypoplastic pulmonary arteries. It is well suited for postoperative shunt surveillance.

FIGO stage IIIC endometrial carcinoma with metastases confined to pelvic lymph nodes: analysis of treatment outcomes, prognostic variables, and failure patterns following adjuvant radiation therapy

OBJECTIVES

This study was undertaken to evaluate the prognostic significance of isolated positive pelvic lymph nodes on survival and to analyze other prognostic variables, overall survival, and failure patterns in surgically staged endometrial carcinoma patients with positive pelvic lymph nodes and negative para-aortic lymph nodes following radiation therapy (RT).

METHODS

Between January 1, 1987, and December 31, 1997, 782 women underwent primary treatment for uterine cancer at Indiana University Medical Center. Through a review of the medical records, we identified 58 patients with pathologic stage IIIA, 27 patients with pathologic stage IIIB, and 77 patients with pathologic stage IIIC endometrial carcinoma. Patients with pathologically positive or unsampled para-aortic lymph nodes and patients who received preoperative radiation therapy were excluded, leaving a study group of 17 patients with nodal metastases confined to pelvic lymph nodes. Thirteen patients received adjuvant pelvic RT using AP-PA or four-field technique. A median dose of 5040 cGy was delivered. Four patients received whole abdominal irradiation (WAI) delivering a median dose of 3000 cGy. Two patients received vaginal cuff boosts of 1000 and 3560 cGy to 0.5 cm from the vaginal surface mucosa via Cs-137 brachytherapy. Two patients also received adjuvant chemotherapy (cis-platinum and doxorubicin) and/or hormonal therapy (megestrol acetate). Disease-free and overall survivals were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method of statistical analysis and prognostic variables were analyzed using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

With a median follow-up of 51 months the actuarial 5-year disease-free survival was 81% and the actuarial 2-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 81 and 72%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that positive peritoneal cytology in conjunction with positive pelvic lymph nodes imparts a greater risk of recurrence and decreased overall survival. There were no pelvic and/or upper abdominal failures, but there were recurrences in the para-aortic lymph nodes (two patients) and distantly (two patients).

CONCLUSION

Surgery followed by postoperative pelvic RT is a viable treatment option for pathologically staged stage IIIC endometrial carcinoma with disease confined to the pelvic lymph nodes. Failures in the para-aortic region suggest a possible role for extended-field RT. Patients with positive peritoneal cytology in conjunction with nodal metastasis fared poorly with pelvic RT. Studies evaluating the efficacy of WAI are ongoing. Finally, substages within FIGO stage IIIC are recommended in an effort to better understand and define treatment strategies which might be appropriate for these patients.

Phase 2 trial of single agent ifosfamide/mesna in patients with platinum/paclitaxel refractory ovarian cancer who have not previously been treated with an alkylating agent

Ifosfamide has been shown to possess modest activity in patients with platinum/cyclophosphamide refractory ovarian cancer. Current standard initial chemotherapy for ovarian cancer does not include an alkylating agent (paclitaxel substituting for cyclophosphamide). To evaluate the activity of ifosfamide in patients with refractory ovarian cancer who had not previously received an alkylating agent, 21 patients with platinum/paclitaxel refractory disease were treated with the drug as a single agent (1.8 g/m2/day x 3 days, with treatment repeated every 28 days). Treatment was reasonably well tolerated in most patients, although 1 individual was removed from study secondary to neurotoxicity. One patient exhibited an objective response of measurable disease, while a second individual had a major decrease in CA-125 levels (no measurable disease present) following therapy. An additional patient experienced disappearance of severe pelvic pain following treatment but failed to meet the criteria for a partial response. We conclude that ifosfamide has modest activity in platinum/paclitaxel refractory ovarian cancer. However, the level of effectiveness does not appear to be increased in individuals who are alkylating-agent naive, compared to previously reported experience in patients with prior exposure to this class of cytotoxic drugs (10-15% response rate).

Characterization of an ovarian cancer activating factor in ascites from ovarian cancer patients

Ascites from ovarian cancer patients contain potent growth-promoting activity toward human ovarian cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. This activity is associated with rapid increases in cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) as a consequence of phosphoinositide hydrolysis. In this study, we describe the purification, characterization, and identification of an ovarian cancer activating factor (OCAF) from ascites of ovarian cancer patients. We have isolated OCAF by a combination of solvent extraction, silica gel chromatography, and TLC. Mass spectral analysis, phospholipase sensitivity, and gas chromatographic behavior of purified OCAF indicate that OCAF is composed of various species of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), including LPAs with polyunsaturated fatty acyl chains (linoleic, arachidonic, and docosahexaenoic acids). However, OCAF is more potent than sn-1 palmitoyl, oleoyl, or stearoyl LPA in increasing [Ca2+]i in ovarian cancer cells. The ability of OCAF to alter [Ca2+]i is sensitive to the effects of lipoxidase, whereas the activity of sn-1 oleoyl, stearoyl, or palmitoyl LPA is not, suggesting that polyunsaturated bonds in the fatty acyl chain of OCAF may account for its increased ability to activate ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, a sn-2 linoleoyl LPA generated by phospholipase A1 treatment of synthetic phosphatidic acid is much more active than are sn-1 palmitoyl, stearoyl, or oleoyl LPA in increasing [Ca2+]i in ovarian cancer cells. Taken together, these data suggest that the ability of OCAF to increase cellular calcium may reside in the structure and/or location of the fatty acyl chain of LPA. Purified OCAF, at concentrations similar to those present in ascites from ovarian cancer patients, was sufficient to induce proliferation of ovarian cancer cells, as indicated by thymidine incorporation, reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, or colony formation. However, even at optimal concentrations of OCAF, proliferation was lower than that induced by FCS or ascites from ovarian cancer patients, indicating that, although OCAF may be a major regulator of ovarian cancer cells in vivo, it is not the sole mediator present in ascites, and it likely functions in concert with other growth factor activities.

Transforming growth factor-beta inhibits proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells obtained from ascites

BACKGROUND

Previously, the authors found that immortalized ovarian cancer cell lines generally were resistant to the growth inhibitory effect of transforming growth factor-beta and frequently had lost the ability to produce or activate this growth factor. In this study, the authors examined whether early passage epithelial ovarian cancer cells obtained from ascites are growth-inhibited by or produce transforming growth factor-beta.

METHODS

Ovarian cancer cells were purified from ascites by percoll gradient density centrifugation, and inflammatory cells were removed using anti-CD45 antibody. The effect of transforming growth factor-beta on the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells was assessed using the thymidine incorporation assay. Immunohistochemical staining for transforming growth factor-beta 1 and beta 2 also was performed in these cells.

RESULTS

Transforming growth factor-beta (10 ng/ml) significantly inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation in 19 of 20 (95%) primary ovarian cancers (P < 0.05). In cases in which significant inhibition was seen, the mean thymidine incorporation was 33 plus or minus 28% of control values. In addition, there was no difference in dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation between ovarian cancer cells and normal ovarian epithelial cells. Eleven of 18 ovarian cancers (61%) were found to express immunohistochemically detectable transforming growth factor-beta, but immunostaining was not observed in 39% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most primary ovarian cancer cells remain sensitive to the growth-inhibitory effect of transforming growth factor-beta, loss of production may interrupt the transforming growth factor-beta autocrine inhibitory loop and play a role in the development of some ovarian cancers.

The biology of ovarian cancer

Recent studies have begun to elucidate the molecular events involved in the development of ovarian cancer. First, it has been shown that epithelial ovarian cells both produce and have receptors for many peptide growth factors. It is possible that these growth factors may participate in autocrine and paracrine growth-regulatory pathways in these cells. Increased activity of stimulatory factors, eg, transforming growth factor-alpha, or decreased activity of inhibitor factors, eg, transforming growth factor-beta, may facilitate malignant transformation. In addition, it has been shown that ovarian cancer cells often have acquired the ability to degrade extracellular matrix and invade the underlying tissues. Finally, alterations in several oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, including HER2/neu, c-myc, and p53, have been found in ovarian cancers. Although exciting insights into the molecular pathology of ovarian cancer have been gained, we remain far from a comprehensive understanding of the biology of this highly lethal disease.

Replantation of an entire scalp and ear by microvascular anastomoses of only 1 artery and 1 vein

We present a successful microvascular replantation of a scalp and ear, where almost the entire scalp and right ear survived on 1 artery and 1 vein.