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D'Agostino E, Mastrodomenico L, Ponzoni O, Baldessari C, Piombino C, Pipitone S, Giuseppa Vitale M, Sabbatini R, Dominici M, Toss A. Molecular characterization as new driver in prognostic signatures and therapeutic strategies for endometrial cancer. Cancer Treat Rev 2024; 126:102723. [PMID: 38555857 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2024.102723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) incidence and mortality rates have been increasing, particularly among young females. Although more than 90% of ECs are sporadic, 5-10% are hereditary, a majority of which occurs within Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer syndrome (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome. The traditional histopathological classification differentiates EC between two main groups: type I (or endometrioid) and type II (including all other histopathological subtypes). However, this classification lacks reproducibility and does not account for the emerging molecular heterogeneity. In 2013, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project proposed EC molecular classification defining four groups with different prognostic and predictive values and the current international guidelines are progressively establishing EC risk stratification and treatment based on both histopathological and molecular criteria. Our manuscript aims to summarize the current state of EC molecular characterizations, including germline alterations at the basis of hereditary EC predisposition, to discuss their clinical utility as prognostic and predictive markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa D'Agostino
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Luciana Mastrodomenico
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Ornella Ponzoni
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Cinzia Baldessari
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Claudia Piombino
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Stefania Pipitone
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Maria Giuseppa Vitale
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Roberto Sabbatini
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy.
| | - Massimo Dominici
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Angela Toss
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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D'Oria O, Bogani G, Cuccu I, D'Auge TG, Di Donato V, Caserta D, Giannini A. Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of recurrent cervical cancer: an update of the literature. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2024; 25:55-65. [PMID: 38159033 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2298329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. High-risk locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic cervical cancers have a poor prognosis with routine treatments. The objective of this study is to analyze the data available in the literature on therapies and molecules currently in use to improve the prognosis of recurrent cervical cancer. AREAS COVERED An extensive literature search was conducted by authors to identify relevant trials on various databases. Articles in English published until September 2023 that investigate different pharmacotherapy strategies for the treatment of recurrent cervical cancer, were included. Results of various pharmacological regimens including different combinations of chemotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, DNA damage repair inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates were analyzed. EXPERT OPINION In recent years, there have been significant improvements in the outcomes of recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer. However, these improvements do not address the unmet need in terms of oncological outcomes. The introduction of immunotherapy and targeted therapies showed advantages in cervical cancer patients. New therapies and combination strategies must be implemented. Centralization of care and enrollment in clinical trials are of paramount importance. Primary and secondary prevention remains the fundamental goal to reduce the burden of cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavia D'Oria
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Course in "Translational Medicine and Oncology", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Obstetrics and Gynecological Unit, Department of Woman's and Child's Health, San Camillo-Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bogani
- Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Cuccu
- Department of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Tullio Golia D'Auge
- Department of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Violante Di Donato
- Department of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Caserta
- Gynecology Division, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Sant'Andrea University Hospital Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Giannini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, Course in "Translational Medicine and Oncology", Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
- Department of Gynecological, Obstetrical and Urological Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Zhang C, Sheng Y, Sun X, Wang Y. New insights for gynecological cancer therapies: from molecular mechanisms and clinical evidence to future directions. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:891-925. [PMID: 37368179 PMCID: PMC10584725 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10113-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Advanced and recurrent gynecological cancers lack effective treatment and have poor prognosis. Besides, there is urgent need for conservative treatment for fertility protection of young patients. Therefore, continued efforts are needed to further define underlying therapeutic targets and explore novel targeted strategies. Considerable advancements have been made with new insights into molecular mechanisms on cancer progression and breakthroughs in novel treatment strategies. Herein, we review the research that holds unique novelty and potential translational power to alter the current landscape of gynecological cancers and improve effective treatments. We outline the advent of promising therapies with their targeted biomolecules, including hormone receptor-targeted agents, inhibitors targeting epigenetic regulators, antiangiogenic agents, inhibitors of abnormal signaling pathways, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, agents targeting immune-suppressive regulators, and repurposed existing drugs. We particularly highlight clinical evidence and trace the ongoing clinical trials to investigate the translational value. Taken together, we conduct a thorough review on emerging agents for gynecological cancer treatment and further discuss their potential challenges and future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Zhang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaru Sheng
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yudong Wang
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030 People’s Republic of China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Female Tumor Reproductive Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
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Das S, Babu A, Medha T, Ramanathan G, Mukherjee AG, Wanjari UR, Murali R, Kannampuzha S, Gopalakrishnan AV, Renu K, Sinha D, George Priya Doss C. Molecular mechanisms augmenting resistance to current therapies in clinics among cervical cancer patients. Med Oncol 2023; 40:149. [PMID: 37060468 PMCID: PMC10105157 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-01997-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death (~ 324,000 deaths annually) among women internationally, with 85% of these deaths reported in developing regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is considered the major driver of CC, and with the availability of the prophylactic vaccine, HPV-associated CC is expected to be eliminated soon. However, female patients with advanced-stage cervical cancer demonstrated a high recurrence rate (50-70%) within two years of completing radiochemotherapy. Currently, 90% of failures in chemotherapy are during the invasion and metastasis of cancers related to drug resistance. Although molecular target therapies have shown promising results in the lab, they have had little success in patients due to the tumor heterogeneity fueling resistance to these therapies and bypass the targeted signaling pathway. The last two decades have seen the emergence of immunotherapy, especially immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies, as an effective treatment against metastatic tumors. Unfortunately, only a small subgroup of patients (< 20%) have benefited from this approach, reflecting disease heterogeneity and manifestation with primary or acquired resistance over time. Thus, understanding the mechanisms driving drug resistance in CC could significantly improve the quality of medical care for cancer patients and steer them to accurate, individualized treatment. The rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning has also been a pivotal factor in cancer drug discovery. With the advancement in such technology, cervical cancer screening and diagnosis are expected to become easier. This review will systematically discuss the different tumor-intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms CC cells to adapt to resist current treatments and scheme novel strategies to overcome cancer drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumik Das
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Achsha Babu
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Tamma Medha
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Gnanasambandan Ramanathan
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Anirban Goutam Mukherjee
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Reshma Murali
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Sandra Kannampuzha
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | | | - Kaviyarasi Renu
- Department of Biochemistry, Centre of Molecular Medicine and Diagnostics (COMManD), Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, 600077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Debottam Sinha
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - C George Priya Doss
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
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Garg V, Jayaraj AS, Kumar L. Novel approaches for treatment of endometrial carcinoma. Curr Probl Cancer 2022; 46:100895. [PMID: 35986972 DOI: 10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2022.100895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is common malignancy in women and its incidence is slowly on the rise. Accurate surgical staging, with aggressive cytoreduction when indicated, remains the most critical step in the treatment. Careful pathological evaluation and/or molecular risk stratification guides for proper systemic adjuvant radiotherapy ± chemotherapy. Recurrent and metastatic EC has dismal prognosis and palliative therapies (chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or radiation) forms the backbone of treatment. There is an unmet need of newer therapies to improve survival in such cases. A number of tyrosine kinase inhibitors are currently under evaluation. Recent data on therapeutic targeting of HER2 positive serous EC is exciting. Data on check point inhibitors particularly based on biomarker select population has raised hope for potentially effective treatment for women with high risk endometrial cancer .
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Garg
- Department of Medical Oncology and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Aarthi S Jayaraj
- Department of Medical Oncology and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Lalit Kumar
- Department of Medical Oncology and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
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