Olaparib Versus Nonplatinum Chemotherapy in Patients With Platinum-Sensitive Relapsed Ovarian Cancer and a Germline BRCA1/2 Mutation (SOLO3): A Randomized Phase III Trial

PURPOSE

A phase II study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00628251) showed activity of olaparib capsules versus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with germline BRCA-mutated platinum-resistant or partially platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer. We conducted a phase III trial (SOLO3) of olaparib tablets versus nonplatinum chemotherapy in patients with germline BRCA-mutated platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer who had received at least 2 prior lines of platinum-based chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this randomized, open-label trial, patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to olaparib 300 mg twice a day or physician's choice single-agent nonplatinum chemotherapy (pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, or topotecan). The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR) in the measurable disease analysis set assessed by blinded independent central review (BICR). The key secondary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by BICR in the intent-to-treat population.

RESULTS

Of 266 randomly assigned patients, 178 were assigned to olaparib and 88 to chemotherapy. In patients with measurable disease (olaparib, n = 151; chemotherapy, n = 72), the BICR-assessed ORR was significantly higher with olaparib than with chemotherapy (72.2% v 51.4%; odds ratio [OR], 2.53 [95% CI, 1.40 to 4.58]; P = .002). In the subgroup who had received 2 prior lines of treatment, the ORR was 84.6% with olaparib and 61.5% with chemotherapy (OR, 3.44 [95% CI, 1.42 to 8.54]). BICR-assessed PFS also significantly favored olaparib versus chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.62 [95% CI, 0.43 to 0.91]; P = .013; median, 13.4 v 9.2 months). Adverse events were consistent with the established safety profiles of olaparib and chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Olaparib resulted in statistically significant and clinically relevant improvements in ORR and PFS compared with nonplatinum chemotherapy in patients with germline BRCA-mutated platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer who had received at least 2 prior lines of platinum-based chemotherapy.

Weekly dose-dense chemotherapy in first-line epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma treatment (ICON8): primary progression free survival analysis results from a GCIG phase 3 randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Carboplatin and paclitaxel administered every 3 weeks is standard-of-care first-line chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer. The Japanese JGOG3016 trial showed a significant improvement in progression-free and overall survival with dose-dense weekly paclitaxel and 3-weekly carboplatin. In this study, we aimed to compare efficacy and safety of two dose-dense weekly regimens to standard 3-weekly chemotherapy in a predominantly European population with epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In this phase 3 trial, women with newly diagnosed International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IC-IV epithelial ovarian cancer were randomly assigned to group 1 (carboplatin area under the curve [AUC]5 or AUC6 and 175 mg/m2 paclitaxel every 3 weeks), group 2 (carboplatin AUC5 or AUC6 every 3 weeks and 80 mg/m2 paclitaxel weekly), or group 3 (carboplatin AUC2 and 80 mg/m2 paclitaxel weekly). Written informed consent was provided by all women who entered the trial. The protocol had the appropriate national research ethics committee approval for the countries where the study was conducted. Patients entered the trial after immediate primary surgery, or before neoadjuvant chemotherapy with subsequent planned delayed primary surgery. The trial coprimary outcomes were progression-free survival and overall survival. Data analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis, and were powered to detect a hazard ratio of 0·75 in progression-free survival. The main comparisons were between the control group (group 1) and each of the weekly research groups (groups 2 and 3).

FINDINGS

Between June 6, 2011, and Nov 28, 2014, 1566 women were randomly assigned to treatment. 72% (365), completed six protocol-defined treatment cycles in group 1, 60% (305) in group 2, and 63% (322) in group 3, although 90% (454), 89% (454), and 85% (437) completed six platinum-based chemotherapy cycles, respectively. Paclitaxel dose intensification was achieved with weekly treatment (median total paclitaxel dose 1010 mg/m2 in group 1; 1233 mg/m2 in group 2; 1274 mg/m2 in group 3). By February, 2017, 1018 (65%) patients had experienced disease progression. No significant progression-free survival increase was observed with either weekly regimen (restricted mean survival time 24·4 months [97·5% CI 23·0-26·0] in group 1, 24·9 months [24·0-25·9] in group 2, 25·3 months [23·9-26·9] in group 3; median progression-free survival 17·7 months [IQR 10·6-not reached] in group 1, 20·8 months [11·9-59·0] in group 2, 21·0 months [12·0-54·0] in group 3; log-rank p=0·35 for group 2 vs group 1; group 3 vs 1 p=0·51). Although grade 3 or 4 toxic effects increased with weekly treatment, these effects were predominantly uncomplicated. Febrile neutropenia and sensory neuropathy incidences were similar across groups.

INTERPRETATION

Weekly dose-dense chemotherapy can be delivered successfully as first-line treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer but does not significantly improve progression-free survival compared with standard 3-weekly chemotherapy in predominantly European populations.

FUNDING

Cancer Research UK, Medical Research Council, Health Research Board in Ireland, Irish Cancer Society, Cancer Australia.

Secondary Surgical Cytoreduction for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND

Secondary surgical cytoreduction in women with platinum-sensitive, recurrent epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian-tube ("ovarian") cancer is widely practiced but has not been evaluated in phase 3 investigation.

METHODS

We randomly assigned patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who had received one previous therapy, had an interval during which no platinum-based chemotherapy was used (platinum-free interval) of 6 months or more, and had investigator-determined resectable disease (to no macroscopic residual disease) to undergo secondary surgical cytoreduction and then receive platinum-based chemotherapy or to receive platinum-based chemotherapy alone. Adjuvant chemotherapy (paclitaxel-carboplatin or gemcitabine-carboplatin) and use of bevacizumab were at the discretion of the investigator. The primary end point was overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 485 patients underwent randomization, 240 to secondary cytoreduction before chemotherapy and 245 to chemotherapy alone. The median follow-up was 48.1 months. Complete gross resection was achieved in 67% of the patients assigned to surgery who underwent the procedure. Platinum-based chemotherapy with bevacizumab followed by bevacizumab maintenance was administered to 84% of the patients overall and was equally distributed between the two groups. The hazard ratio for death (surgery vs. no surgery) was 1.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97 to 1.72; P = 0.08), which corresponded to a median overall survival of 50.6 months and 64.7 months, respectively. Adjustment for platinum-free interval and chemotherapy choice did not alter the effect. The hazard ratio for disease progression or death (surgery vs. no surgery) was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.66 to 1.01; median progression-free survival, 18.9 months and 16.2 months, respectively). Surgical morbidity at 30 days was 9%; 1 patient (0.4%) died from postoperative complications. Patient-reported quality of life decreased significantly after surgery but did not differ significantly between the two groups after recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

In this trial involving patients with platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer, secondary surgical cytoreduction followed by chemotherapy did not result in longer overall survival than chemotherapy alone. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and others; GOG-0213 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00565851.).

Interventional treatment of arterial injury during blind central venous catheterisation in the upper thorax: experience from two centres

AIM

To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of interventional treatment for arterial injury during blind, central venous catheterisation in the upper thorax at two tertiary medical centres.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen consecutive patients (37-81 years; M:F=8:10) who underwent interventional treatment for the arterial injuries that occurred during central venous catheterisation without any imaging guidance between November 2007 and December 2018 were included. Clinical data, angiographic findings, detailed interventional procedures, and technical and clinical outcomes were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Arterial injury sites were the subclavian artery/branches (n=12), axillary artery/branches (n=2), and common carotid artery (n=4). The target vein was not correlated with the corresponding artery/branches in eight patients (44.4%); internal jugular vein to subclavian artery branches. Angiographic findings were pseudoaneurysm (66.7%, 12/18), contrast medium extravasation (22.2%, 4/18), or both (11.1%, n=2). A stent graft was inserted for the main trunk injuries in nine patients, with (n=2) or without (n=7) prior arterial branch embolisation to prevent potential endoleak, while embolisation for the arterial branch injuries was performed in nine patients. Direct percutaneous access with thrombin injection to the pseudoaneurysm or residual arteriovenous fistula was utilised in two. The technical and clinical success rate was 94.4% (17/18) each. There were no procedure-related complications. In one patient without immediate clinical success, there was a persistent pseudoaneurysm after stent graft placement, which was treated with in-stent balloon dilation.

CONCLUSION

Interventional treatment serves as a safe and effective treatment modality for inadvertent arterial injury related to blind, central venous access catheterisation in the upper thorax.

Real-World Experience of Olaparib Maintenance in High-Grade Serous Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Patients with BRCA1/2 Mutation: A Korean Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

Olaparib maintenance therapy has shown efficacy and tolerability in patients with platinum-sensitive, high-grade serous recurrent ovarian cancer (HSROC) with BRCA1/2 mutation (BRCAm). Our aim was to present real-world experience with olaparib in Korea.

METHOD

We included HSROC patients with BRCAm treated with olaparib maintenance at four institutions in Korea between 2016 and 2018. Medical records were reviewed for clinico-pathologic characteristics, objective response, survival outcomes, and safety.

RESULTS

One hundred HSROC patients with BRCAm were included. BRCA1 mutation was present in 71 patients (71.0%), and BRCA2 mutation was present in 23 patients (23.0%). In terms of the best objective response with olaparib maintenance in 53 patients with partial remission from most recent chemotherapy, complete remission occurred in 12 (22.6%) and partial remission in four (7.5%), while 33 patients (62.3%) had stable disease. The 24 month progression-free survival was 42.4%, and 24 month overall survival was 82.1%. Grade 3 or more adverse events were as follows: anemia in 14 patients (14.0%), neutropenia in seven patients (7.0%), thrombocytopenia in two patients (2.0%), oral mucositis in one patient (1.0%), and soft tissue infection in one patient (1.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

The safety and effectiveness of olaparib maintenance treatment in a real-world study were consistent with those reported in previous clinical trials.

Comparison of CA 125 alone and risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) in patients with adnexal mass: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

This multicenter study aimed to evaluate the performance of CA 125 and risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) in differentiating epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) from benign adnexal mass. We consecutively enrolled 782 patients referred to tertiary hospitals with adnexal mass requiring surgical treatment. A total 322 of patients with benign adnexal disease and 327 patients with EOC were included in the analysis. Using reference cut-off values in premenopausal women, ROMA had better specificity (0.926 vs. 0.787, P < 0.001) and accuracy (0.875 vs. 0.777, P < 0.001) than CA 125 alone and comparable sensitivity (0.707 vs. 0.747, P = 0.549). Using optimum cut-off values in premenopausal women, CA 125 and ROMA had comparable specificity (0.922 vs. 0.947, P < 0.001) and accuracy (0.871 vs. 0.868, P = 0.879); however, sensitivity for CA 125 was inferior to that of ROMA (0.707 vs. 0.613, P = 0.039). In postmenopausal women, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were comparable between CA 125 alone and ROMA using either reference cut-off values or optimum cut-off values.ROMA showed better diagnostic performance in differentiating EOC from benign adnexal tumors among premenopausal women. However, in postmenopausal women, ROMA did not show any benefit over CA 125 alone.

Efficacy and safety findings from DREAM: a phase III study of DHP107 (oral paclitaxel) versus i.v. paclitaxel in patients with advanced gastric cancer after failure of first-line chemotherapy

Background

Paclitaxel is currently only available as an intravenous (i.v.) formulation. DHP107 is a novel oral formulation of lipid ingredients and paclitaxel. DHP107 demonstrated comparable efficacy, safety, and pharmacokinetics to i.v. paclitaxel as a second-line therapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). DREAM is a multicenter, open-label, prospective, randomized phase III study of patients with histologically/cytologically confirmed, unresectable/recurrent AGC after first-line therapy failure.

Methods and materials

Patients were randomized 1 : 1 to DHP107 (200 mg/m2 orally twice daily days 1, 8, 15 every 4 weeks) or i.v. paclitaxel (175 mg/m2 day 1 every 3 weeks). Patients were stratified by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, disease status, and prior treatment; response was assessed (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors) every 6 weeks. Primary end point: non-inferiority of progression-free survival (PFS); secondary end points: overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and safety. For the efficacy analysis, sequential tests for non-inferiority were carried out, first with a non-inferiority margin of 1.48, then with a margin of 1.25.

Results

Baseline characteristics were balanced in the 236 randomized patients (n = 118 per arm). Median PFS (per-protocol) was 3.0 (95% CI 1.7-4.0) months for DHP107 and 2.6 (95% CI 1.8-2.8) months for paclitaxel (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.85; 95% CI 0.64-1.13). A sensitivity analysis on PFS using independent central review showed similar results (HR = 0.93; 95% CI 0.70-1.24). Median OS (full analysis set) was 9.7 (95% CI 7.1 - 11.5) months for DHP107 versus 8.9 (95% CI 7.1-12.2) months for paclitaxel (HR = 1.04; 95% CI 0.76-1.41). ORR was 17.8% for DHP107 (CR 4.2%; PR 13.6%) versus 25.4% for paclitaxel (CR 3.4%; PR 22.0%). Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and mucositis were more common with DHP107; peripheral neuropathy was more common with paclitaxel. There were only few Grade≥3 adverse events, most commonly neutropenia (42% versus 53%); febrile neutropenia was reported infrequently (5.9% versus 2.5%). No hypersensitivity reactions occurred with DHP107 (paclitaxel 2.5%).

Conclusions

DHP107 as a second-line treatment of AGC was non-inferior to paclitaxel for PFS; other efficacy and safety parameters were comparable. DHP107 is the first oral paclitaxel with proven efficacy/safety for the treatment of AGC.

ClinicalTrials.gov

NCT01839773.

P2523Hand grip strength as a predictor of exercise capacity in coronary heart disease

A recent study has shown that quadriceps strength can be used to predict the level of exercise capacity in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). We investigated whether the relationship between muscular strength and exercise capacity is also observed with hand grip strength (HGS). We studied 443 participants (age, 61.8±11.2 y; 77.7% male) who underwent coronary intervention and participated in cardiac rehabilitation between 2015 and 2018. Participants were assessed for grip strength, measured using a Jamar dynamometer. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between various clinical measures (HGS, age, sex, etc) with the distance walked on a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). HGS was significantly related to distance walked on the 6MWT (r=0.435, p<0.001). It was the only predictor of all exercise capacity categories, and one of the strongest predictors of each exercise capacity category. A HGS of 25.5% of body weight predicted an achievement of a 200 m walk on the 6MWT (positive predictive value = 0.95). However, HGS less than 35.5% of body weight predicted that 500m could not be done in 6 minutes (negative predictive value = 0.97). This trend was also observed in the subgroups in which VO2max was measured. This study demonstrates that HGS is associated with exercise capacity in CHD and can be used to predict the level of exercise capacity. These findings may contribute to setting the recommended level of daily activity as well as the level of cardiac rehabilitation in CHD.

Logistic regression models for different levels of exercise capacity Level of exercise capacity B±S.E p-value Odd ratio 95% CI Distance of 6MWT   200 m Grip strength 0.054±0.014 <0.001 1.056 1.027–1.086   300 m Grip strength 0.042±0.009 <0.001 1.042 1.024–1.062   400 m Grip strength 0.047±0.011 <0.001 1.048 1.026–1.070   500 m Grip strength 0.051±0.016 0.001 1.053 1.021–1.086 VO2max level   4 METs Grip strength 0.054±0.010 <0.001 1.056 1.036–1.076   6 METs Grip strength 0.059±0.011 <0.001 1.061 1.039–1.083   8 METs Grip strength 0.081±0.015 <0.001 1.085 1.053–1.117   10 METs Grip strength 0.113±0.049 0.019 1.12 1.019–3.232 Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). 6MWT, 6-minute walk test; STEMI, ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction; SE, standard error; CI, confidence interval; VO2max, Maximal Oxygen uptake; METs, Metabolic equivalents.

Impact of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy on survival outcome in patients with FIGO stage IB cervical cancer: A matching study of two institutional hospitals in Korea

OBJECTIVE

To compare survival outcomes of primary laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) and open radical hysterectomy (ORH) in patients with FIGO stage IB cervical cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively identified stage IB1-IB2 cervical cancer patients who received either LRH (n = 343) or ORH (n = 222) at two tertiary institutional hospitals between 2000 and 2018. To adjust for confounders, we conducted Mahalanobis distance-based sample matching for stage, histology, cervical mass size, parametrial invasion, and lymph node metastasis. Then, survival outcomes were compared between the matched groups. Through the independent matching processes, we narrowed the study population to stage IB1 patients and stage IB1 patients with tumor size ≤2 cm on pre-operative MRI.

RESULTS

After matching, LRH group showed poorer progression-free survival (PFS) than ORH group (3-year: 85.4% vs. 91.8%; P = 0.036), whereas no significant difference in overall survival (OS) was found. Regarding recurrence patterns, no significant differences in the incidences of pelvic, retroperitoneal lymph node and abdominal recurrences, or distant metastasis were observed between the two groups. Among the matched patients with stage IB1 who had cervical mass size ≤2 cm, the LRH and ORH groups showed similar PFS (3-year: 90.0% vs. 93.1%; P = 0.8) and OS (5-year: 98.6% vs. 96.4%; P = 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the retrospective design, our matched cohort study suggests that ORH might be preferable for the surgical treatment of FIGO stage IB cervical cancer. However, in stage IB1 patients with tumor size ≤2 cm, LRH might be applicable, as equivalent outcomes were found regardless of the surgical approach. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Phase III Trial: Adjuvant Pelvic Radiation Therapy Versus Vaginal Brachytherapy Plus Paclitaxel/Carboplatin in High-Intermediate and High-Risk Early Stage Endometrial Cancer

PURPOSE

The primary objective was to determine if vaginal cuff brachytherapy and chemotherapy (VCB/C) increases recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared with pelvic radiation therapy (RT) in high-intermediate and high-risk early-stage endometrial carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A randomized phase III trial was performed in eligible patients with endometrial cancer. Eligible patients had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (2009) stage I endometrioid histology with Gynecologic Oncology Group protocol 33-based high-intermediate-risk criteria, stage II disease, or stage I to II serous or clear cell tumors. Treatment was randomly assigned between RT (45 to 50.4 Gy over 5 weeks) or VCB followed by intravenous paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 (3 hours) plus carboplatin (area under the curve, 6) every 21 days for three cycles.

RESULTS

The median age of the 601 patients was 63 years, and 74% had stage I disease. Histologies included endometrioid (71%), serous (15%), and clear cell (5%). With a median follow-up of 53 months, the 60-month RFS was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.81) for RT and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.81) for VCB/C (hazard ratio, 0.92; 90% confidence limit, 0.69 to 1.23). The 60-month overall survival was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.83 to 0.91) for RT and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.90) for VCB/C (hazard ratio, 1.04; 90% confidence limit, 0.71 to 1.52). Vaginal and distant recurrence rates were similar between arms. Pelvic or para-aortic nodal recurrences were more common with VCB/C (9% v 4%). There was no heterogeneity of treatment effect with respect to RFS or overall survival among clinical or pathologic variables evaluated.

CONCLUSION

Superiority of VCB/C compared with pelvic RT was not demonstrated. Acute toxicity was greater with VCB/C; late toxicity was similar. Pelvic RT alone remains an effective, well-tolerated, and appropriate adjuvant treatment in high-risk early-stage endometrial carcinomas of all histologies.

Spin-liquid-like state in pure and Mn-doped TbInO3 with a nearly triangular lattice

Inelastic neutron scattering studies in single crystals of TbInO3 and TbIn0.95Mn0.05O3 with nearly triangular antiferromagnetic lattice are reported. At low energies, a broad and apparently gapless continuum of magnetic excitations, located at the triangular lattice (TL) Brillouin zone boundary, is observed. The data are well described by the uncorrelated nearest-neighbor valence bonds model. At higher energies, a broad excitation branch dispersing from the TL zone boundary is observed. No signs of static magnetic order are found down to the temperatures two orders of magnitude smaller than the effective interaction energy. The fluctuating magnetic moment exceeds two-thirds of the Tb3+ free-ion value and is confined to the TL plane. These observations are consistent with a TL-based spin liquid state in TbInO3.

Adverse events (AEs) with maintenance olaparib in newly diagnosed patients (pts) with advanced ovarian cancer (OC) and a BRCA mutation (BRCAm): Phase III SOLO1 trial

5539

Background: In SOLO1 (NCT01844986), maintenance olaparib provided a substantial progression-free survival benefit vs placebo in newly diagnosed pts with advanced OC, a BRCAm and clinical complete or partial response to platinum therapy (HR 0.30; 95% CI 0.23–0.41) and was well tolerated (Moore et al. NEJM 2018). We analysed the most common AEs and hematologic AEs in SOLO1. Methods: Pts received olaparib tablets 300 mg twice daily or placebo until progression unless they had no evidence of disease at 2 years, in which case treatment stopped. AEs were graded using CTCAE v4.0. Results: Of 391 pts randomized, 390 (olaparib, 260; placebo, 130) were treated and included in the safety analysis. Median treatment duration was approximately 25 months for olaparib vs 14 for placebo. Median time to first onset of the most common AEs (nausea, vomiting, fatigue/asthenia, anemia) and neutropenia and thrombocytopenia was < 3 months; the first event lasted a median of < 2 months, apart from fatigue/asthenia, which lasted a median of < 4 months (Table). AEs were usually managed with supportive therapy and/or dose modification; few pts discontinued. Conclusions: AEs in newly diagnosed pts with advanced OC treated with olaparib usually occurred early and were manageable, with few discontinuations. Clinical trial information: NCT01844986. [Table: see text]

DUO-O: A randomized phase III trial of durvalumab (durva) in combination with chemotherapy and bevacizumab (bev), followed by maintenance durva, bev and olaparib (olap), in newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer patients

TPS5598

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancers in US women. Despite high response rates to first-line treatment, ~70% of patients (pts) relapse within 3 years and then remain largely incurable. First-line treatment needs to be improved to achieve long-term remission in pts and improve the cure rate. The Phase III SOLO1 trial showed a meaningful clinical benefit for olap maintenance therapy in newly diagnosed OC pts with a BRCA mutation (Moore et al N Engl J Med 2018). Preliminary data suggest that combining a PD-L1 inhibitor, anti-angiogenic and PARP inhibitor (triplet therapy) may achieve a synergistic antitumor effect. The DUO-O study (NCT03737643) evaluates the efficacy and safety of treatment combinations involving standard-of-care platinum-based chemotherapy (chemo), VEGF inhibitor bev, anti-PD-L1 antibody durva and PARP inhibitor olap, in women with newly diagnosed advanced OC. Methods: Eligible pts for this double-blind, randomized, Phase III study must have newly diagnosed, advanced, high-grade epithelial OC and either have completed primary surgery or plan to have interval debulking surgery. Depending on their tumor BRCA mutation (tBRCAm) status (determined by central test), pts will join one of two independent cohorts. Pts in the non-tBRCAm cohort (n~906) will be randomized (1:1:1) before cycle 2 to: a) chemo + bev + placebo (for 6 cycles) followed by bev (15 mg/kg [total 15 months]) + placebo maintenance treatment (IV and tablets); b) chemo + bev + durva (6 cycles) followed by bev + durva (1120 mg q3w [total 15 months]) + placebo (tablets) maintenance treatment; or c) chemo + bev + durva (6 cycles) followed by bev + durva + olap (300 mg bd tablets [24 months]) maintenance treatment. Pts in the open-label tBRCAm cohort (n~150) will receive 6 cycles of chemo + durva followed by durva + olap maintenance therapy, with optional use of bev. The primary endpoint of progression-free survival will be assessed by modified RECIST 1.1. Key secondary endpoints include overall survival, overall response rate and duration of response. Enrollment began in January 2019. Clinical trial information: NCT03737643.

Olaparib monotherapy versus (vs) chemotherapy for germline BRCA-mutated (gBRCAm) platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (PSR OC) patients (pts): Phase III SOLO3 trial

5506

Background: Data from a randomized Phase II trial (NCT00628251) of olaparib (capsules, 200 or 400 mg bid, n=32 per arm) vs pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD, n=33) in gBRCAm OC pts with recurrence ≤12 months after prior platinum therapy indicated efficacy for olaparib (Kaye et al. JCO 2012). However, the efficacy of PLD was higher than previously reported in this setting. We led a confirmatory Phase III, open-label study of olaparib vs non-platinum chemotherapy in gBRCAm PSR OC pts (NCT02282020). Methods: Pts were randomized (2:1) to olaparib tablets (300 mg bid) or chemotherapy treatment of physician’s choice (TPC) (paclitaxel [P; 80 mg/m2 on day 1 (D1), D8, D15, D22 every 4 weeks (q4w)], topotecan [T; 4 mg/m2 D1, D8, D15 q4w], gemcitabine [G; 1000 mg/m2 D1, D8, D15 q4w] or PLD [50 mg/m2 D1 q4w]) until progression, stratified by: TPC, prior lines of chemotherapy (2–3 vs ≥4) and platinum-free interval (6–12 vs >12 months). Primary endpoint: ORR (blinded independent central review [BICR]). Secondary endpoints included PFS and safety. Results: 266 gBRCAm PSR OC pts were randomized (olaparib, n=178; TPC, n=88 [ PLD, n=47; P, n=20; G, n=13; T, n=8]); 12 in the TPC arm withdrew before receiving study treatment. 223 pts (84%) had baseline BICR measurable disease (olaparib, n=151; TPC, n=72). ORR was 72% with olaparib vs 51% with TPC (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.40–4.58; P=0.002). HR for PFS by BICR was 0.62 (95% CI 0.43–0.91; P=0.013; median 13.4 vs 9.2 months [olaparib vs TPC]) and by investigator assessment was 0.49 (95% CI 0.35–0.70; P<0.001; median 13.2 vs 8.5 months, respectively). Most common adverse events (AEs) with olaparib were nausea (65% vs 34% [TPC]) and anemia (50% vs 25%) and with TPC were palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE; 36% vs 1% [olaparib]) and nausea. Most common grade ≥3 AEs in either arm were anemia (21% [olaparib] vs 0 [TPC]), PPE (0 vs 12%) and neutropenia (6% vs 11%). For olaparib vs TPC, serious AEs were reported by 24% vs 18% and AEs led to treatment discontinuation in 7% vs 20%. Conclusions: Pts with gBRCAm PSR OC receiving olaparib monotherapy had a significant, clinically relevant improvement in ORR and PFS vs TPC, with no new safety signals. Clinical trial information: NCT02282020.

Effect of BRCA mutational status on survival outcome in advanced-stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Objective

To evaluate impact of germline BRCA mutational status on prognosis in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

Methods

A total of 128 patients diagnosed with FIGO stage III-IV high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) between 2008 and 2017 and underwent BRCA1/2 gene testing at the time of or within two years from cancer diagnosis were included in this study. We compared patients’ clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes after primary treatment according to germline BRCA mutational status. Treatment-related factors that might affect patients’ survival outcome were also investigated.

Results

Germline BRCA1/2 mutations were observed in 51 women (39.8%). There were no differences in age and serum CA-125 levels at the time of HGSOC diagnosis, use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), extent of debulking surgery, and overall survival (OS) between the BRCA mutation and wild-type BRCA groups. In contrast, the BRCA mutation group displayed longer progression-free survival (PFS) (median, 22.9 vs. 16.9 months, P = 0.001). Multivariate analyses identified germline BRCA1/2 mutation as an independent favorable prognostic factor for PFS (adjusted HR, 0.502; 95% CI, 0.318–0.795; P = 0.003). In the wild-type BRCA group, patients who received NAC as the primary treatment had shorter PFS compared to those who received primary debulking surgery (PDS) (median, 14.2 vs. 16.9 months, P = 0.003). However, in the BRCA mutation group, PFS did not differ between the NAC and PDS groups (P = 0.082).

Conclusions

In advanced-stage HGSOC, patients with germline BRCA1/2 mutations have better prognosis with longer PFS than those lacking BRCA mutations. Prognosis after NAC was different according to the BRCA mutational status.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13048-019-0511-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of Balloon-Guiding Catheter Location on Recanalization in Patients with Acute Stroke Treated by Mechanical Thrombectomy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Mechanical thrombectomy with proximal flow control and forced aspiration may improve the outcome of endovascular revascularization therapy for patients with acute stroke. The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of balloon-guiding catheter locations in patients treated for anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke using mechanical thrombectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The influence of the balloon-guiding catheter location (proximal, balloon-guiding catheter tip proximal to C1 vertebral body; distal, between the skull base and the C1 vertebral body) was analyzed in patients with acute anterior circulation stroke treated with stent-retriever thrombectomy. The baseline angiographic/clinical characteristics, time intervals, recanalization rates, and clinical outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

The clinical analysis included 102 patients (mean age, 69.5 ± 12.8 years; male/female ratio = 52:50). The balloon-guiding catheter was located distally in 49 patients and proximally in 53 patients for flow control and forced aspiration during stent retrieval. The puncture-to-recanalization time was shorter in the distal group than in the proximal group (40 versus 56 minutes, P = .02). Successful and complete recanalizations were more frequently achieved in the distal group compared with the proximal group (98.0% versus 75.5%. P = .003; 67.3% versus 45.3%, P = .04, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that the distal catheterization location was independently associated with successful recanalization (adjusted OR, 13.4; 95% CI, 2.4-254.8; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Location of the balloon-guiding catheter has a significant impact on recanalization in patients with acute stroke. The balloon-guiding catheter should be positioned as distally as safely possible in the cervical ICA for maximally effective thrombectomy.

A Randomized Trial of Lymphadenectomy in Patients with Advanced Ovarian Neoplasms

BACKGROUND

Systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy has been widely used in the surgical treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer, although supporting evidence from randomized clinical trials has been limited.

METHODS

We intraoperatively randomly assigned patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB through IV) who had undergone macroscopically complete resection and had normal lymph nodes both before and during surgery to either undergo or not undergo lymphadenectomy. All centers had to qualify with regard to surgical skills before participation in the trial. The primary end point was overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 647 patients underwent randomization from December 2008 through January 2012, were assigned to undergo lymphadenectomy (323 patients) or not undergo lymphadenectomy (324), and were included in the analysis. Among patients who underwent lymphadenectomy, the median number of removed nodes was 57 (35 pelvic and 22 paraaortic nodes). The median overall survival was 69.2 months in the no-lymphadenectomy group and 65.5 months in the lymphadenectomy group (hazard ratio for death in the lymphadenectomy group, 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83 to 1.34; P = 0.65), and median progression-free survival was 25.5 months in both groups (hazard ratio for progression or death in the lymphadenectomy group, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.34; P = 0.29). Serious postoperative complications occurred more frequently in the lymphadenectomy group (e.g., incidence of repeat laparotomy, 12.4% vs. 6.5% [P = 0.01]; mortality within 60 days after surgery, 3.1% vs. 0.9% [P = 0.049]).

CONCLUSIONS

Systematic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy in patients with advanced ovarian cancer who had undergone intraabdominal macroscopically complete resection and had normal lymph nodes both before and during surgery was not associated with longer overall or progression-free survival than no lymphadenectomy and was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative complications. (Funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Austrian Science Fund; LION ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00712218.).

Relative bioavailability of phosphorus in high-protein sunflower meal for broiler chickens and effects of dietary phytase supplementation on bone traits, growth performance, and apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients

An experiment was conducted to determine the relative bioavailability (RBV) of P in high-protein sunflower meal (HP-SFM) fed to broiler chickens based on bone traits and to determine the effects of dietary phytase supplementation and increasing levels of HP-SFM as a P source on bone traits, growth performance, and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of DM and nutrients. In total, 240 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 1 of 10 experimental diets with 6 replicate cages of 4 birds each and fed experimental diets from day 14 to 21 of age. Diets included a corn-soybean meal-based basal diet (0.35% total P; P-deficient diet), or the basal diet supplemented with 0.05, 0.10, or 0.15% P from either monosodium phosphate (MSP) or HP-SFM. Another 3 diets were formulated by supplementing the HP-SFM-containing diets with 500 phytase unit/kg of phytase. The bone mineral content (BMC), bone area (BA), and bone mineral density (BMD) of femur and tibia and tibia ash content increased (linear, P < 0.01) with increasing dietary P content from MSP. A linear increase in femur and tibia BMC, femur BA, and tibia BMD was also observed (P < 0.01) with increasing level of dietary P from HP-SFM. The RBV of P in HP-SFM based on femur and tibia BMC were 41 and 44%, respectively. Dietary phytase supplementation increased (P < 0.01) most of bone traits of the birds except for femur BMD. In addition, birds fed the diets supplemented with dietary phytase had greater (P < 0.05) BW gain, feed efficiency, and AID of P than those fed the diets without dietary phytase. In conclusion, the estimated RBV of P in HP-SFM to P in MSP were 41 and 44% based on femur and tibia BMC, respectively. Also, dietary phytase supplementation increased AID of P, growth performance, and bone traits of the birds fed P-deficient diets containing increasing inclusion level of HP-SFM as a P source.

Landscape of Elderly Suicide in South Korea: Its Trend According to Age, Gender, and Educational Attainment

South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, and the most alarming suicide rate is among its elders. This study aims to understand the social, historical, and cultural context of the Korean older adults and examine suicide trends based on that understanding. The results show that the suicide risk increases with age, the male suicide rate outweighs that of females, and the suicide rate decreases with educational attainment. In addition, several suggestions for reducing elderly suicide rate are addressed, including differentiating the existing social services for elders by age and expanding suicide prevention programs beyond schools to communities so that all people in need can access them.

Bilateral salpingectomy to reduce the risk of ovarian/fallopian/peritoneal cancer in women at average risk: a position statement of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (KSOG)

Based on the current understanding of a preventive effect of bilateral salpingectomy on ovarian/fallopian/peritoneal cancers, the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korean Society of Gynecologic Endocrinology, Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Korean Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine support the following recommendations: • Women scheduled for hysterectomy for benign gynecologic disease should be informed that bilateral salpingectomy reduces the risk of ovarian/fallopian/peritoneal cancer, and they should be counseled regarding this procedure at the time of hysterectomy. • Although salpingectomy is generally considered as a safe procedure in terms of preserving ovarian reserve, there is a lack of evidences representing its long-term outcomes. Therefore, patients should be informed about the minimal potential of this procedure for decreasing ovarian reserve. • Prophylactic salpingectomy during vaginal hysterectomy is favorable in terms of prevention of ovarian/fallopian/peritoneal cancer, although operation-related complications minimally increase with this procedure, compared to the complications associated with vaginal hysterectomy alone. Conversion to open or laparoscopic approach from vaginal approach to perform prophylactic salpingectomy is not recommended. • Women who desire permanent sterilization at the time of cesarean delivery could be counseled for prophylactic salpingectomy before surgery on an individual basis.