[Adjuvant therapy and role of radiation therapy in advanced endometrial cancers]

The treatment of patients with endometrial cancer is rapidly evolving. Literature data give more information on prognostic factors, allowing treatment stratification. If treatment has become less heavy in early-stage disease, therapeutic approaches have become more aggressive in more advanced disease. In this situation, treatment combines external irradiation and chemotherapy. Despite these advances, numerous questions remain on the best therapeutic sequence. Optimal chemotherapy regimens remain to be determined. On-going randomized trials will help to answer these questions.

Combination of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin for the treatment of advanced ovarian granulosa cell tumors

The objective is to investigate the activity and toxicity of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) regimen in ovarian granulosa cell tumors (OGCTs). Twenty consecutive patients with initial metastatic (5 patients) or recurrent (15 patients) OGCT were treated; BEP regimen: B: 30 mg intravenously or intramurally on days 1, 8, and 15; E: 100 mg/m2/day on days 1–5; and P: 20 mg/m2/day on days 1–5. Median age: 42 years (range: 17–60); median follow-up: 45 months (range: 3–112). The overall response rate is 90% (nine clinical complete response [CR], nine clinical partial response) with a median duration of 24 months (range: 4–77). A second-look laparotomy performed in 11 patients showed a pathologic CR in 7 cases and microscopic disease in 1 case. Seven patients remain free of disease (at 4–84 months); 11 patients relapsed (median: 24 months, range: 13–58), 12 patients are still alive, and 9 patients are without disease (2 patients in second CR). At 4 years, overall survival and event-free survival are respectively 58% and 30%. Toxicity is evaluable for 19 patients (48 cycles). A grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 15% of cycles (in seven patients) with a febrile neutropenia in four patients. Five patients experienced a low bleomycin pulmonary toxicity. BEP regimen appears to be an active regimen for OGCT in first-line chemotherapy.

Survival and reproductive function of 52 women treated with surgery and bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy for ovarian yolk sac tumor

BACKGROUND

Ovarian yolk sac tumor (YST) is a very rare malignancy arising in young women. Chemotherapy has dramatically improved the prognosis. Current treatment consists of surgery followed by bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy. However, given the rarity of this tumor, ovarian YST-specific survival and outcome after such treatment are not precisely known.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This report concerns prospectively recorded cases that were either treated at Institut Gustave Roussy (Villejuif, France) or referred there for advice about therapy. From 1990 to 2006, 52 patients underwent surgery followed by BEP chemotherapy. Data on patient characteristics, treatment, survival, and fertility outcome were analyzed to assess treatment efficacy and gonadal toxicity after achieving a complete remission.

RESULTS

Thirty-five patients had stage I/II tumors while 17 patients presented with stage III/IV disease. With a median follow-up of 68 months, the overall 5-year survival and disease-free survival rates were 94% and 90%, respectively. Forty-one women underwent fertility-sparing surgery. Pregnancy was achieved in 12 of 16 (75%) women who attempted conception. Overall, 19 pregnancies have been recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

BEP chemotherapy following fertility-sparing surgery is a very effective treatment of ovarian YSTs. Most of the patients who attempt conception after complete remission will have children.

Results of a prospective dose-intensive regimen in 27 patients with small cell carcinoma of the ovary of the hypercalcemic type

BACKGROUND

The evaluation of first-line intensive combination therapy in small cell carcinoma of the ovary (SCCO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Debulking surgery; four to six cycles of chemotherapy with cisplatin (P) 80 mg/m(2) day 1, adriamycin (A) 40 mg/m(2) day 1, vepeside (V) 75 mg/m(2)/day days 1-3, cyclophosphamide (EP) 300 mg/m(2)/day days 1-3, every 3 weeks and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor with, in case of a complete remission, high-dose chemotherapy with carboplatin, vepeside, cyclophosphamide and stem-cell support.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients (median age 25 years); International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage: five I, four IIC, 17 IIIC-IV and one unknown. Twenty patients underwent complete surgery. Eight patients progressed under chemotherapy. Among 18 patients in complete response (CR), 10 received high-dose chemotherapy (CT) (three stem-cell collection failures, two protocol violations, two disease progression and one refusal). The main grade 3-4 toxic effects were hematologic. There were eight relapses among the 18 CR, four of which were pelvic alone. Among the 27 patients, 13 died and 10 patients are in CR1, three in CR2. The median follow-up is 37 months (8-166) and the median duration of the 18 CR is 30 months (5-111). Overall survival at 1 and 3 years is 58% [confidence interval (CI) 40% to 75%] and 49% (CI 30% to 67%).

CONCLUSIONS

Initial dose-intensive therapy achieves interesting overall survival in SCCO.

A phase I study combining high-dose (HD) topotecan (TPC) plus cyclophosphamide (CPM) with blood stem cells support in poor prognosis ovarian carcinoma (OC): The ITOV 01bis protocol

16061

Background: TPC and CPM-based CT may be proposed as 2nd-line chemotherapy (CT) after taxanes/platinum-compounds in refractory/relapsed OC. We have previously shown that the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of TPC used as a single agent was 45 mg/m2 in a 5-d administration schema (ITOV 01 protocol - Lotz et al, BMT 2006, 37: 669). Method: We decided herein to combine TPC at a dose ranging from 8 to 10 mg/m2/d x 5d (30’ daily perfusion) to a fixed HD CPM (60 mg/kg/d x 2d) until the MTD of TPC was reached. Three pts were to be treated at each planned dose level (8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10 mg/m2/d). Limiting toxicity was defined as one toxic death (excluding sepsis) or grade (G) 4 non-hematological toxicity. In this event, a further 3 pts were to be recruited at the same dose level. Mobilization to collect 3x106 CD34+/kg BW (6x106 if a 2nd HD course using TPC alone was planned) was performed with CPM + filgrastim. Results: From 09/02 to 05/06, 26 pts (median age, 54, range: 21–64) were included (platinum-refractory/relapse - 15 pts, initial stage FIGO IV - 5 pts, residual disease at 2nd-look - 6 pts). Three pts failed to be collected, one progressed before and one progressed after mobilization, so that 21 pts were able to complete their 1st course. Six received a second cycle of HD TPC. One septicemia-related toxic death occurred at level 8 mg/m2/d. Median durations of G4 neutropenia & thrombocytopenia observed during the first course of HDCT were 10 & 9 d. No patients experienced G4 diarrhea. One pt experienced a G4 cutaneous toxicity at level 8.5 and 2/3 at level 9.5 mg/m2/d. MTD of TPC combined with CPM was consecutively set up at 9.0 mg/.m2/d x 5d. Pharmacokinetic data (Cmax, AUC) will be available. Conclusion: The MTD of TPC combined with CPM was set up at 9 mg/m2/d x 5d, i.e., 45 mg/m2. The forthcoming ITOV 04 protocol will combine HD TPC and Carboplatin (AUC 20) in patients whose relapse occurs between 6 and 12 months after platinum- based first-line CT.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prognostic impact of histological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage IIIC/IV ovarian cancer undergoing complete cytoreductive surgery at the time of interval debulking surgery

16032

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of histological response at the time of interval debulking surgery (IDS) in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for unresectable advanced-stage ovarian cancer (ASOC). Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in our institution to select cases fulfilling 3 following inclusion criteria: 1. Patients with unresectable (evaluated in most of them with initial surgery + biopsies) ASOC. All patients had residual disease > 2 cm after such initial surgery; 2. At least 3 courses of platinum + paclitaxel NACT; 3. Patients undergoing after NACT an IDS with absence of macroscopic residual disease at the end of the debulking surgery. IDS was followed by post-operative chemotherapy. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to the histological response (in the peritoneum & nodes) after NACT: group 1: no residual disease in peritoneum; group 2: persistent residual disease but with histological signs of chemoactivity (marked histological changes) and group 3: persistence of at least 1 site with no changes in the tumor (persistence of very active cells). Survival was compared between these 3 groups. Results: Fifty-eight patients treated between 1997 and 2004 fulfilled inclusion criteria (49 had stage IIIC and 9 stage IV disease). Respectively 47 & 11 patients received 3–4 or 5–6 courses of chemotherapy before IDS. Respectively 11, 11 and 36 patients were in groups 1, 2 & 3. The median time of follow-up was 41 months. Three-year overall survival in groups 1, 2 & 3 was respectively: 81%, 39% and 62% (no statistical difference). Three- year event-free survival in groups 1, 2 & 3 was respectively: 46%, 18% and 19% (p=.04 between group 1 versus 2+3). Conclusions: These results suggest that the degree of histological response have a limited impact on the survival of patients when complete debulking surgery is achieved at IDS. The degree of tumor cell viability after initial chemotherapy is not a reliable marker for modifying chemotherapy after debulking surgery in such patients.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Weekly association of gemcitabine and topotecan in early recurrent ovarian cancer patients: A French multicenter phase II study

16016

Background: A weekly association of gemcitabine and topotecan was tested with the aim of evaluating its efficacy and tolerance in patients recurring after first line platinum and taxane-based chemotherapy. Methods: From December 2004 to April 2006, 77 patients whose disease has progressed within 12 months (time-free interval, TFI) after first line chemotherapy were enrolled in a multicenter phase II study. Primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) and topotecan (2.5 mg/m2) were given day 1, 8 and 15 (q 28 d) for 6 to 9 cycles. Tumor response was assessed according to RECIST or Rustin criteria. Clinical response was assessed using symptoms improvement in responders and patients with stable disease. Follow-up was updated December 2006. Results: Initial characteristics were: median age 63 years (38 to 80), WHO PS 0–1 93%, serous histology 85%, TFI < 6 months 45%, measurable disease 71%. Four cycles (1 to 8) were administered in average. The only major toxicity was neutropenia (Grade 3 and 4 in 17% and 6% of patients) with one febrile neutropenia; one toxic death (pneumopathy) was observed. 34% of cycles were incomplete (d8 and/or d15 not administered) because of grade 1–2 thrombopenia or grade 1–4 neutropenia. Lenograstim and erythropoietin were administered in 14% and 34% of patients, respectively. Sixty-six (86%) patients were evaluable for response (2 cycles administered). The ORR was 14% (CR=3%, PR=11%); there were 53% of stable disease. ORR was 7% and 20% in patients with TFI < 6 months and = 6 months, respectively. Symptoms were improved in 18 (64%) of 28 patients and pain in 11 (39%) of 28 patients. Median event-free survival time was 3.7 months. Median overall survival time was 12.3 months (7.5 and 15.6 months in patients with TFI < 6 months and = 6 months, respectively; p=0.0244). Conclusions: In resistant/refractory ovarian cancer, weekly gemcitabine and topotecan is associated with low objective response rate but with a high proportion of stable disease and symptoms control leading to acceptable quality of life.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Gefitinib in combination with paclitaxel (P) and carboplatin (C) as second-line therapy for ovarian, tubal or peritoneal adenocarcinoma: Final results of a phase II study

5566

Background: High EGFR expression occurs in 35–70% of primary ovarian tumors and is often associated with poor prognosis. This Phase II, open-label, non-comparative multicenter study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of gefitinib (Iressa) in combination with paclitaxel (P) and carboplatin (C) for second-line treatment of patients (pts) with ovarian, tubal or peritoneal adenocarcinoma. Methods: Women (>18 years) with platinum-resistant/refractory (relapsed <6 months after first-line platinum-based and P chemotherapy), or platinum-sensitive (relapsed >6 months) disease were enrolled. Pts received gefitinib (500 mg/day), P (175 mg/m2) and C (AUC 5) every 3 weeks for 6–8 cycles, after which pts could continue to receive gefitinib. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) assessed using RECIST or Rustin criteria. Results: Sixty-eight pts (26 resistant/refractory and 42 sensitive) were enrolled (median age [range]: 57 [34–72] years; ECOG performance status 0/1/2: 41/26/1). ORR and disease control rates were 19.2% and 69.2%, respectively, for resistant/refractory; and 61.9% and 81.0%, respectively, for sensitive pts (see table ). Grade 3/4 toxicities (in =10% pts) were neutropenia (59%), diarrhea (25%), leukopenia (22%), anemia (13%), and acne (13%). Two myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and one acute biphenotypic leukemia were observed during treatment. Another pt developed MDS 34 months after study treatment discontinuation. Conclusions: Gefitinib (Iressa) in combination with P and C has promising activity as second-line treatment for ovarian, tubal or peritoneal adenocarcinoma and is generally well tolerated. The hemopathies are under further investigation.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Overexpression of BRCA1-IRIS protein in familial ovarian cancers with no BRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutation

5513

Background: Germline mutations of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes account for the majority of hereditary breast-ovarian carcinomas. Nevertheless, in some patients with family history of ovarian cancers, neither point mutations nor genomic alterations are identified. Recently, IRIS gene, an open reading frame that extended from codon 1 of BRCA1 to a termination point in intron 11, has been identified. The encoded protein has been reported to play a role in controlling the replication origins firing (ROF) pathway. The study presented here aims at characterizing whether ROF-related proteins are differentially expressed among familial ovarian cancers associated with a germline BRCA1 or 2 mutation, familial ovarian cancers with wild-type BRCA1/2 genes, and sporadic ovarian cancers. Methods: Tumor samples from 72 patients with ovarian cancer and screened for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation because of family history of breast/ovarian cancer were collected. These cases were matched with 134 sporadic ovarian cancers (controls) according to age, year of diagnosis, tumor stage, histological subtype, and grade. The cases distributed among 26 BRCA1-linked (BRCA1*) tumors, 9 BRCA2-linked (BRCA2*) tumors and 37 with no identified mutation (BRCA1wt/BRCA2wt). Tissue micro-arrays were prepared from the paraffin blocks. P53, MCM3, MCM4, Geminin, PTTG and BRCA1-IRIS immuno-expression were scored with no information on the sample group as follows: the final score was the product of the positive cells percentage by the staining intensity, the final result being used as a continuous variable. Differences between cases and controls were tested by a Wilcoxon test for paired samples. Results: IRIS expression was significantly higher in familial cancers than in controls (P=0.002). When BRCA1/2 genes status was taken into account, differences remained significant when BRCA1wt/BRCA2wt tumors (P=0.04), but not when BRCA1* tumors were compared with controls. However, the latter showed significant higher expression of Geminin than controls (P=0.04). Conclusions: BRCA-1 IRIS protein is overaccumulated in ovarian cancers developed by patients with family history. Our results suggest IRIS may play a role in the development of ovarian cancers and could be related with an ovarian susceptibility.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Chemoradiation therapy in pregnant patients treated for advanced-stage cervical carcinoma during the first trimester of pregnancy: report of two cases

Two patients treated using chemoradiation therapy (CRT) (with fetus in utero) for advanced-stage squamous cell cervical carcinoma diagnosed during the first trimester of pregnancy are reported. One patient with a stage IVA disease diagnosed at 12 weeks of gestation was treated by exclusive CRT with the fetus in utero. She recurred 20 months after the end of the treatment. The second patient had a stage IIB disease diagnosed at 12 weeks of gestation and was treated by CRT with the fetus in utero followed by completion surgery (radical hysterectomy and para-aortic lymphadenectomy) due to the presence of a suspicious residual disease. No residual disease was observed during the histologic analysis of hysterectomy and nodes specimens. This patient is alive and free of disease 24 months after surgery. Our observations could suggest that CRT in pregnant patients with fetus in utero is feasible without major short-term toxicity. Such management could be proposed in patients with a bulky cervical cancer diagnosed during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Management of the uterine evacuation depends on the local tumor spread.

Phase I study of high-dose topotecan with haematopoietic stem cell support in the treatment of ovarian carcinomas: the ITOV 01 protocol

Topotecan has demonstrated activity in ovarian carcinomas. In order to increase the tumour response rate and to define the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of topotecan, we decided to develop a high-dose phase I regimen supported by stem cell support. High-doses schedules using a 1-day single administration have MTDs of 10.5 (24 h continuous infusion (CI)) or 22.5 mg/m2 (30 min infusion). Five-day CI induces grade IV mucositis at high doses (MTD<12 mg/m2). We chose to administer topotecan in a 5-day schedule with a 30 min daily infusion. Patients were scheduled to receive one cycle of therapy. The first dose level was 4.0 mg/m2/day x 5 days. Limiting toxicities were defined as toxic death, grade IV non-haematopoietic or haematopoietic toxicity >6 weeks. From August 1998 to April 2002, 49 patients were included. Forty-three patients have completed one course and 15 have received two cycles. One patient treated at level 7 mg/m2/day died of sepsis. Median duration of grade IV neutropenia was 9 days. Two episodes of grade IV diarrhoea were observed at level 9.5 mg/m2/day. Pharmacokinetic data were linear within the dose range of 4-9.0 mg/m2/day. The MTD was reached at 9 mg/m2/day x 5 days.

Recommandations pour la pratique clinique : mise à jour 2006 des Standards, Options et Recommandations pour l'irradiation des patients adultes atteints de sarcome des tissus mous (sarcome des membres, sarcomes rétropéritonéaux et sarcomes utérins)

CONTEXT

The National French Federation of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (FNCLCC) initiated the update of clinical practice guideline for the management of patients with soft tissue sarcoma in collaboration with the French Sarcoma Group (GSF-GETO), specialists from French public universities, general hospitals and private clinics and with the French National Cancer Institute. This work is based on the methodology developed in the "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project.

OBJECTIVES

To update SOR guidelines for the management of patients with soft tissue sarcoma previously validated in 1995.

METHODS

The methodology is based on a literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts who define the CPGsaccording to the definitions of the Standards, Options and Recommendations project. Once the guidelines have been developed, they are reviewed by independent reviewers.

RESULTS

This article presents the updated recommendations for radiotherapeutic management. The main recommendations are: 1) irradiation before or after surgical treatment is the standard for soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity and uterine sarcoma; 2) no systematic irradiation should be done in case of retroperitoneal sarcoma.

Traitement cœlioscopique des tumeurs frontières (borderline) de l'ovaire : analyse d'une série de 54 patientes et implications thérapeutiques

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to assess the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic treatment of borderline ovarian tumor (BOT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 54 patients treated using a laparoscopic approach for a BOT between January 1984 and January 2002.

RESULTS

A conservative management was initially performed in 45 patients (83%). Twenty-six patients underwent a reassessment surgery and 7 (27%) of them were upstaged following this procedure. Seven (13%) patients recurred in a remaining ovary following conservative surgery (5 patients) or on the peritoneum (2 patients). Three port-site localizations were observed. None of the patients treated with conservative management had recurrent disease under the form of ovarian carcinoma. Nine spontaneous pregnancies were observed in 6 patients from a group of 19 patients desiring pregnancy. All patients are today alive and disease-free.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that laparoscopic treatment could be safely performed in young patients with early stage BOT. Such procedure should be further evaluated in patients with BOT and peritoneal implants.

Prognosis of stage III or IV primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma

AIMS

To study the prognosis of patients with stage IIIC/IV primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (PSPC) (study group) compared with that of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) (control group).

METHODS

A retrospective case-control study including a study group of 37 patients who were matched with a control group of 37 patients. Patients were matched for the histologic subtype (serous tumor), tumor stage, tumor grade, residual disease at the end of debulking surgery (initial or interval) and age (+/-5 years).

RESULTS

Debulking surgery was performed initially or at interval surgery in respectively, 10 and 27 patients in the study group and 17 and 20 in the control group. All patients were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (combined with paclitaxel in 33) in both groups. The overall survival rate at 3 years in the study and control groups was, respectively, 60% versus 55% (NS). However, event-free survival rates at 3 years (CI 95%) were statistically different (respectively, 29% in the study group versus 16% in the control group: p=0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Peritoneal disease is more bulky in patients with PSPC. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is more often required to achieve optimal debulking surgery in PSPC. Overall survival of patients with PSPC is similar to that of their EOC counterparts. Thus, the management of PSPC should not be different from that of advanced stage EOC.

Chirurgie initiale ou d'intervalle dans les cancers de l'ovaire de stade avancé ? État de la question en 2004 et critères de sélection des patientes

The management of advanced stage ovarian cancer has been deeply modified over the last few years. In patients with massive peritoneal spread, the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by interval surgery, reduces the morbidity of radical surgery with an improvement of the quality of life. Nevertheless, results of ongoing randomized studies should be waited before stating about the results on survival of such management compared to initial debulking surgery. Waiting such results, the standard treatment of advanced stage ovarian cancer in 2005 remains initial surgery, performed in order to obtain ideally a total resection of all macroscopic diseases, and followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. However, in patients with massive spread, interval debulking surgery is becoming an interesting option, and will perhaps become a standard management. But criteria to select patients between initial and interval debulking surgery should be clearly defined. Those different points will be studied in this paper.

[Place and results of frozen section analysis in the management of malignant and borderline ovarian tumors]

The management of ovarian tumors discovered during laparoscopy depends equally on the surgeon and the pathologist. Thus, the surgeon will undergo a more or less radical surgery depending on frozen section analysis (FSA),which depends mainly on the pathologist's skills, the histopathologic type and the volume and the localization of the tumor. The accuracy of FSA is higher in ovarian cancer than in borderline tumor. In patients treated initially with a laparoscopic approach, if the FSA demonstrates the presence of an invasive carcinoma, a conversion to laparotomy should be performed in order to complete the surgical staging. If the FSA demonstrates the presence of a borderline tumor, an exclusive laparoscopic approach could be discussed.

Adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin, ifosfamide, and doxorubicin followed by radiotherapy in localized uterine sarcomas: results of a case-control study with radiotherapy alone

Uterine sarcoma is a poor prognosis disease, with a high risk of metastatic relapse. We conducted a study of adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin, ifosfamide, and doxorubicin followed by radiotherapy (n=18). The results were then compared in a matched case-controlled study to radiotherapy alone (n=16) or no therapy at all (n=2). Chemotherapy consisted in three cycles of adriamyein-platinum-ifosfamide (API) (doxorubicin 60 mg /m2 on day 1; cisplatin 100 mg /m2 on day 2; ifosfamide 5 g /m2 on day 1+mesna 5 g /m2 on day 1+granulocyte colony-stimulating factor; q 3 weeks). Drug doses were reduced (20% for ifosfamide and cisplatin) four times (four patients) due to hematologic toxicity. Compared to a case-control study of adjuvant radiotherapy alone, results were not decreased by the addition of a toxic chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant API chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy is a feasible protocol; a multicenter phase III study comparing radiotherapy alone versus API chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy just began in France.