Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles prior to interval surgery in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by fast-track cytoreductive surgery plus short-course hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in advanced ovarian cancer: preliminary results of a promising all-in-one approach

Purpose

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been considered a promising treatment option for advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer, but there is no clear evidence based on randomized controlled trials to advocate this approach as a standard therapy. In this study, we aim to present the early outcomes and insights after an interim analysis of a pioneering clinical trial in Brazil.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional analysis of early data from our ongoing clinical trial – an open-label, double-center, single-arm trial on the safety and efficacy of using HIPEC for advanced ovarian cancer (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02249013). A fast-track recovery strategy was also applied to improve patient outcomes.

Results

Nine patients with stage IIIB (n=1) or IIIC (n=8) epithelial malignancies were enrolled until February 2017. The median (range) serum CA125 level at diagnosis was 692 (223.7–6550) U/mL. The median number of preoperative cycles of intravenous (i.v.) chemotherapy was 3 (2–4), resulting in peritoneal cancer index scores of 9 (3–18) at the time of HIPEC. Time of restarting i.v. chemotherapy was 37 (33–50) days with all patients completing 6 cycles as planned. The median operation time was 395 (235–760) minutes, the length of hospital stay was 4 (3–10) days, and all the patients left the ICU on the morning after the procedure. Two patients experienced no postoperative complications, whereas 91% of the complications were minor G1/G2 events. Preliminary assessment also suggested no impairment of the patient’s quality of life.

Conclusion

Our comprehensive protocol might represent a promising all-in-one approach for advanced ovarian cancer. The patient recruitment for this trial is ongoing.

Centralization of ovarian cancer in the Netherlands: Hospital of diagnosis no longer determines patients' probability of undergoing surgery

OBJECTIVE

Surgical care for advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients has been centralized in the Netherlands since 2012. We evaluated whether the likelihood for patients to undergo surgery depends on the hospital of initial diagnosis before and after centralization of surgical care.

METHODS

Patients with EOC FIGO stage IIB-IV, diagnosed in the Netherlands between 2000 and 2015, were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Multilevel multivariate logistic regression was used to study the association between hospital of diagnosis and patients' likelihood of undergoing surgery in subsequent time periods. Furthermore, changes in overall survival were analyzed by multivariable Cox regression models.

RESULTS

15,314 EOC patients were selected from the NCR. Hospital of diagnosis was identified as a significant level for patients' likelihood of undergoing surgery in 2000-2005 (LR test p<0.001), as well as in 2006-2011 (LR test p=0.002) but not in 2012-2015 (LR test p=0.127). Patients who underwent surgery in 2012-2015 had a better survival when compared to 2006-2011 (HR 0.90(0.84-0.96)).

CONCLUSION

This study shows that centralization of surgical care resolved the variation between hospitals in the probability to undergo cytoreductive surgery for patients with advanced EOC. Since centralization was established in 2012, the decision to operate patients seems solely attributable to patient and tumor characteristics. This supports the growing evidence in favor of centralizing (surgical) treatment for complex and heterogeneous diseases such as EOC.

The Impact of Number of Cycles of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Survival of Patients Undergoing Interval Debulking Surgery for Stage IIIC–IV Unresectable Ovarian Cancer: Results From a Multi-Institutional Study

Objectives

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS) may be a valuable treatment option in advanced ovarian cancer when primary cytoreduction is not feasible. However, a consensus on the ideal number of NACT cycles is still lacking. In the present investigation, we aimed to evaluate how number of cycles of NACT influenced patients' outcomes.

Methods

Data of consecutive patients undergoing NACT and IDS were retrospectively reviewed in 4 Italian centers, and survival outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Overall, 193 patients were included. Cycles of NACT were 3, 4, and at least 5 in 77 (40%), 74 (38%), and 43 (22%) patients, respectively. Patients undergoing 3 cycles experienced a similar disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89–1.65; P = 0.20) but an improved overall survival (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.05–2.4; P = 0.02) in comparison to patients receiving at least 4 cycles. Five-year overall survival was 46% and 31% for patients having 3 and at least 4 cycles. Ten-year overall survival was 26% and 18% for patients having 3 and at least 4 cycles (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.13–2.55; P = 0.009). Using multivariate analysis, we observed that only Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status correlated with overall survival (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.2–2.49; P = 0.001). In addition, a trend toward worse overall survival was observed for patients with residual disease at IDS (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.98–1.70; P = 0.06) and patients receiving at least 4 cycles (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 0.95–3.22; P = 0.06).

Conclusion

Our data underline the potential implication of number of cycles of NACT before IDS. Further prospective studies are warranted to assess this correlation.

Only complete tumour resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy offers benefit over suboptimal debulking in advanced ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare surgical results and survival outcome of advanced ovarian cancer patients who were treated with primary versus interval debulking surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

In this retrospective study stage III and IV ovarian cancer patients who received debulking surgery from 2006 to 2015 were included. Surgical results were described as complete, optimal or suboptimal debulking and chi-square test was used to assess significant differences. Overall survival was measured using Kaplan-Meier curves, the log-rank test and uni- and multivariable Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of 146 patients included in the study, 55 patients were treated with primary debulking surgery (PDS) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and 91 patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS). Complete or optimal debulking (0-10mm of residual disease) was achieved in 76.4% (n=42) of the PDS group and in 79.1% (n=72) of the IDS group. Overall median survival was 38 months for PDS and 31 months for IDS, which was not significantly different (p=0.181). In the IDS group, a significant difference was found in OS between complete and optimal resection (p=0.013). Besides that, no difference in survival outcome was found in the IDS group between patients with optimal or suboptimal debulking (median survival were 20 and 19 months respectively).

CONCLUSION

Complete debulking surgery is of utmost importance, both in case of PDS and IDS. Achieving optimal interval debulking of 1-10mm residual disease did not show any survival benefit over suboptimal interval debulking.

The humanized anti-human AMHRII mAb 3C23K exerts an anti-tumor activity against human ovarian cancer through tumor-associated macrophages

Müllerian inhibiting substance, also called anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of AMH type II receptor-positive tumor cells, such as human ovarian cancers (OCs). On this basis, a humanized glyco-engineered monoclonal antibody (3C23K) has been developed. The aim of this study was therefore to experimentally confirm the therapeutic potential of 3C23K in human OCs. We first determined by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and cytofluorometry analyses the expression of AMHRII in patient’s tumors and found that a majority (60 to 80% depending on the detection technique) of OCs were positive for this marker. We then provided evidence that the tumor stroma of OC is enriched in tumor-associated macrophages and that these cells are responsible for 3C23K-induced killing of tumor cells through ADCP and ADCC mechanisms. In addition, we showed that 3C23K reduced macrophages induced-T cells immunosuppression. Finally, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of 3C23K alone and in combination with a carboplatin-paclitaxel chemotherapy in a panel of OC Patient-Derived Xenografts. In those experiments, we showed that 3C23K significantly increased the proportion and the quality of chemotherapy-based in vivo responses. Altogether, our data support the potential interest of AMHRII targeting in human ovarian cancers and the evaluation of 3C23K in further clinical trials.

Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy cycles on survival of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer

Background

There is currently no consensus regarding the optimal number of chemotherapy cycles to be administered before and after interval debulking surgery (IDS) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (POAC) cycles on the survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer undergoing NAC/IDS/POAC.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data from 203 patients who underwent NAC/IDS/POAC at Yonsei Cancer Hospital between 2006 and 2016. All patients underwent taxane plus carboplatin chemotherapy for NAC and POAC. The patient outcomes were analyzed according to the number of NAC, POAC, and total chemotherapy (NAC+POAC) cycles.

Results

Patients who received fewer than 6 cycles of total chemotherapy (n = 8) had poorer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than those completing at least 6 cycles (p = 0.005 and p<0.001, respectively). Among patients who completed at least 6 cycles of total chemotherapy (n = 189), Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant difference in either PFS or OS according to the number of NAC cycles (1–3 vs. ≥4; p = 0.136 and p = 0.267, respectively). Among patients who experienced complete remission after 3 cycles of POAC (n = 98), the addition of further POAC cycles did not improve the PFS or OS (3 vs. ≥4; p = 0.641 and p = 0.104, respectively).

Conclusion

IDS after 4 cycles of NAC may be a safe and effective option when completing 6 cycles of total chemotherapy. Furthermore, the addition of more than 3 cycles of POAC does not appear to influence the survival of patients achieving completion remission after 3 cycles of POAC.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemotherapy cycle number: A national multicentre study

OBJECTIVES

Six cycles of consolidation chemotherapy have become the standard for ovarian cancer treatment regimen following primary cytoreduction, yet with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), only 3 consolidation cycles are used. This study examines the effects of number of chemotherapy cycles in women with ovarian cancer that are being treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, we examined the effect of number of cycles on survival on consolidation and total chemotherapy.

METHODS

All patients with stage IIIC and IV high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) were identified at 4 major Canadian cancer centers treated with NAC. A retrospective chart review was conducted using the medical charts and registry databases.

RESULTS

403 NAC patients were identified. 47% had zero residual disease. Chemotherapy cycles were divided into <3cycles or ≥4cycles for NAC and consolidation treatments and analyzed with multivariate analysis. 139/403 (34.5%) received ≥4cycles of NAC and had a worse prognosis than <3cycles (p=0.011). 70/403 (17.4%) received ≥4cycles of consolidation treatment and there was no difference in survival (p=0.33) CONCLUSION: Women with advanced HGSC are managed with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. This is a study of a homogenous cohort of patients with stage IIIC or IV high grade serous cancers who received NAC. ≥4cycles of NAC had a worse outcome than <3cycles likely due to poor prognostic factors or poor response. The number of consolidation cycles did not appear to make a difference in overall survival.

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion as a component of multimodality therapy for ovarian and primary peritoneal cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) in the multimodality treatment of ovarian peritoneal metastases (OPM) and primary peritoneal cancer (PPC) remains controversial. We hypothesized that cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and HIPEC would provide meaningful survival benefit without excessive morbidity.

METHODS

We reviewed clinicopathologic and perioperative data following 96 CRS-HIPEC procedures for primary or recurrent OPM and PPC. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and multivariate Cox-regression models identified prognostic factors affecting oncologic outcomes.

RESULTS

CRS-HIPEC was mostly performed for recurrent disease (56.3%) and high-grade serous carcinoma (72.9%). Platinum-based systemic chemotherapy was administered to 89.5% of patients, with 75.5% having platinum-sensitive disease at CRS-HIPEC. Complete macroscopic resection was achieved in 70.8% of patients. Clavien-Dindo grade 3/4 morbidity occurred in 23.4% of patients; three patients died within 60-days postoperatively. Median overall survival from diagnosis of peritoneal metastases and CRS-HIPEC was 78 and 38 months, respectively. Completeness of cytoreduction, pathologic subtype, and 30-day morbidity were independent predictors of survival in multiple regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates promising survival data and supports the role of HIPEC in the multimodality treatment algorithm for primary or recurrent OPM and PPC. However definite indications and timing of HIPEC need to be clarified by prospective studies.

Preoperative Predictive Factors for Complete Cytoreduction and Survival Outcome in Epithelial Ovarian, Tubal, and Peritoneal Cancer After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to identify preoperative predictors of complete cytoreduction and early recurrence and death in epithelial ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 85 patients who underwent 3 cycles of NACT. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to residual tumor at interval debulking surgery (IDS), and clinicopathologic, surgical, and follow-up data were compared.

RESULTS

Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) levels before the IDS after completion of NACT were higher in the residual tumor group (42.0 vs 116.6 U/mL, P = 0.006). The drop rate of CA-125 after NACT was higher in the no residual tumor group (96.8% vs 89.9%, P = 0.001). Patients with residual tumor showed lower disease-free and overall survival outcomes than patients with no residual tumor. In univariate analysis, CA-125 of 100 U/mL or less before IDS and a drop rate after NACT greater than 80% were preoperative predictive factors for complete cytoreduction. In multivariate analysis, a drop rate of CA-125 after NACT greater than 80% was an independent preoperative predictive factor for complete cytoreduction (P = 0.002). Progressive disease on follow-up image during NACT was an independent preoperative predictive factor for early recurrence and death (P < 0.001, both).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant drop of CA-125 after NACT and progressive disease on follow-up image are independent preoperative predictors for complete cytoreduction and early recurrence and death.

Update on Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Surgical treatment and chemotherapy administration in women with epithelial ovarian cancer is more controversial today than at any point in the last 3 decades. The use of chemotherapy administered intraperitoneally has been particularly contentious. Three large randomized phase III studies, multiple meta-analyses, and now real-world data have demonstrated substantial outcome benefit for the use of chemotherapy administered intraperitoneally versus intravenously for first-line postoperative treatment of optimally debulked advanced ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, for each of these randomized studies, there was scope to either criticize the design or otherwise refute adoption of this route of administration. As a result, the uptake has been variable in North America, although in Europe it has been practically nonexistent. Reasons for this include unquestionable additional toxicity, more inconvenience, and extra cost. However, 10-year follow up of these studies demonstrates unprecedented survival in the intraperitoneal arm (median survival 110 months in patients with completely debulked stage III), raising the possibility that by combining maximal debulking surgery with postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy it may be possible to bring about a step change in the outcomes for these patients. In this review, we discuss the rationale for administering chemotherapy intraperitoneally, the merits of the main randomized clinical trials, the evidence regarding optimal regimes, issues of toxicity, port considerations, and reasons for lack of universal adoption. We also explore potential clinical and biologic factors that may be useful for patient selection in the future.

Primary Surgery or Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: The Debate Continues…

Primary debulking surgery (PDS) followed by platinum-based chemotherapy has been the cornerstone of treatment for advanced ovarian cancer for decades. Primary debulking surgery has been repeatedly identified as one of the key factors in improving survival in patients with advanced ovarian cancer, especially when minimal or no residual disease is left behind. Achieving these results sometimes requires extensive abdominal and pelvic surgical procedures and consultation with other surgical teams. Some clinicians who propose a primary chemotherapy approach reported an increased likelihood of leaving no macroscopic disease after surgery and improved patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life (QOL) measures. Given the ongoing debate regarding the relative benefit of PDS versus neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), tumor biology may aid in patient selection for each approach. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy offers the opportunity for in vivo chemosensitivity testing. Studies are needed to determine the best way to evaluate the impact of NACT in each individual patient with advanced ovarian cancer. Indeed, the biggest utility of NACT may be in research, where this approach provides the opportunity for the investigation of predictive markers, mechanisms of resistance, and a forum to test novel therapies.

Does the Number of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Cycles before Interval Debulking Surgery Influence Survival in Advanced Ovarian Cancer?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the overall survival (OS) of patients with initially inoperable advanced ovarian cancer, tubal carcinoma, or primary peritoneal carcinoma of stages III or IV undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by cytoreductive surgery, according to the number of cycles performed.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted in three main oncology centres in the east of France, reviewing the charts of all patients who underwent NAC between January 1, 1998 and October 31, 2012. We performed an OS analysis using multivariate Cox regression models adjusted for potential confounders. We also analysed progression-free survival (PFS) as well as chemotherapy- and surgery-related morbidity.

RESULTS

Of the 204 patients included, 75 (36.8%) underwent ≤4 NAC cycles and 129 (63.2%) ≥5 NAC cycles. Characteristic data were similar in the two groups. Five-year OS was 35.0 and 25.8%, respectively. This difference was non-significant [HR = 1.06 (0.70-1.59), p = 0.79]. We also found no differences in PFS or morbidity between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The number of NAC cycles does not seem to play a role in the OS of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Further evidence and prospective data are needed to assess the value of a high/low number of NAC cycles among these patients.

Surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Cytoreductive surgery for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer has been practised since the pioneering work of Tom Griffiths in 1975. Further research has demonstrated the prognostic significance of the extent of metastatic disease pre-operatively, and of complete cytoreduction post-operatively. Patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer should be referred to high volume cancer units, and managed by multidisciplinary teams. The role of thoracoscopy and resection of intrathoracic disease is presently investigational. In recent years, there has been increasing use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval cytoreductive surgery in patients with poor performance status, which is usually due to large volume ascites and/or large pleural effusions. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy reduces the post-operative morbidity, but if the tumour responds well to the chemotherapy, the inflammatory response makes the surgery more difficult. Post-operative morbidity is generally tolerable, but increases in older patients, and in those having multiple, aggressive surgical procedures, such as bowel resection or diaphragmatic stripping. Primary cytoreductive surgery should be regarded as the gold standard for most patients until a test is developed which would allow the prediction of platinum resistance pre-operatively.

Can advanced-stage ovarian cancer be cured?

Approximately 20% of women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer survive beyond 12 years after treatment and are effectively cured. Initial therapy for ovarian cancer comprises surgery and chemotherapy, and is given with the goal of eradicating as many cancer cells as possible. Indeed, the three phases of therapy are as follows: debulking surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, preferably to a state of no visible residual disease; chemotherapy to eradicate any microscopic disease that remains present after surgery; and second-line or maintenance therapy, which is given to delay disease progression among patients with tumour recurrence. If no cancer cells remain after initial therapy is completed, a cure is expected. By contrast, if residual cancer cells are present after initial treatment, then disease recurrence is likely. Thus, the probability of cure is contingent on the combination of surgery and chemotherapy effectively eliminating all cancer cells. In this Perspectives article, I present the case that the probability of achieving a cancer-free state is maximized through a combination of maximal debulking surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. I discuss the evidence indicating that by taking this approach, cures could be achieved in up to 50% of women with advanced-stage ovarian cancer.

Molecular Pathways: New Signaling Considerations When Targeting Cytoskeletal Balance to Reduce Tumor Growth

The dynamic balance between microtubule extension and actin contraction regulates mammalian cell shape, division, and motility, which has made the cytoskeleton an attractive and very successful target for cancer drugs. Numerous compounds in clinical use to reduce tumor growth cause microtubule breakdown (vinca alkaloids, colchicine-site, and halichondrins) or hyperstabilization of microtubules (taxanes and epothilones). However, both of these strategies indiscriminately alter the assembly and dynamics of all microtubules, which causes significant dose-limiting toxicities on normal tissues. Emerging data are revealing that posttranslational modifications of tubulin (detyrosination, acetylation) or microtubule-associated proteins (Tau, Aurora kinase) may allow for more specific targeting of microtubule subsets, thereby avoiding the broad disruption of all microtubule polymerization. Developing approaches to reduce tumor cell migration and invasion focus on disrupting actin regulation by the kinases SRC and ROCK. Because the dynamic balance between microtubule extension and actin contraction also regulates cell fate decisions and stem cell characteristics, disrupting this cytoskeletal balance could yield unexpected effects beyond tumor growth. This review will examine recent data demonstrating that cytoskeletal cancer drugs affect wound-healing responses, microtentacle-dependent reattachment efficiency, and stem cell characteristics in ways that could affect the metastatic potential of tumor cells, both beneficially and detrimentally.