Screening postmenopausal women for ovarian cancer: a systematic review

Clinical practice guidelines for molecular tumor marker, 2nd edition review part 2

In recent years, rapid advancement in gene/protein analysis technology has resulted in target molecule identification that may be useful in cancer treatment. Therefore, "Clinical Practice Guidelines for Molecular Tumor Marker, Second Edition" was published in Japan in September 2021. These guidelines were established to align the clinical usefulness of external diagnostic products with the evaluation criteria of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. The guidelines were scoped for each tumor, and a clinical questionnaire was developed based on a serious clinical problem. This guideline was based on a careful review of the evidence obtained through a literature search, and recommendations were identified following the recommended grades of the Medical Information Network Distribution Services (Minds). Therefore, this guideline can be a tool for cancer treatment in clinical practice. We have already reported the review portion of "Clinical Practice Guidelines for Molecular Tumor Marker, Second Edition" as Part 1. Here, we present the English version of each part of the Clinical Practice Guidelines for Molecular Tumor Marker, Second Edition.

The Proteolytic Landscape of Ovarian Cancer: Applications in Nanomedicine

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is one of the leading causes of mortality globally with an overall 5-year survival of 47%. The predominant subtype of OvCa is epithelial carcinoma, which can be highly aggressive. This review launches with a summary of the clinical features of OvCa, including staging and current techniques for diagnosis and therapy. Further, the important role of proteases in OvCa progression and dissemination is described. Proteases contribute to tumor angiogenesis, remodeling of extracellular matrix, migration and invasion, major processes in OvCa pathology. Multiple proteases, such as metalloproteinases, trypsin, cathepsin and others, are overexpressed in the tumor tissue. Presence of these catabolic enzymes in OvCa tissue can be exploited for improving early diagnosis and therapeutic options in advanced cases. Nanomedicine, being on the interface of molecular and cellular scales, can be designed to be activated by proteases in the OvCa microenvironment. Various types of protease-enabled nanomedicines are described and the studies that focus on their diagnostic, therapeutic and theranostic potential are reviewed.

Evaluation of circulating microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer: a case–control study

Purpose

Ovarian cancer is the seventh most frequent form of malignant diseases in women worldwide and over 150,000 women die from it every year. More than 70 percent of all ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at a late-stage disease with poor prognosis necessitating the development of sufficient screening biomarkers. MicroRNAs displayed promising potential as early diagnostics in various malignant diseases including ovarian cancer. The presented study aimed at identifying single microRNAs and microRNA combinations detecting ovarian cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Intracellular, extracellular and urinary microRNA expression levels of twelve microRNAs (let-7a, let-7d, miR-10a, miR-15a, miR-15b, miR-19b, miR-20a, miR-21, miR-100, miR-125b, miR-155, miR-222) were quantified performing quantitative real-time-PCR. Therefore, the three ovarian cancer cell lines SK-OV-3, OAW-42, EFO-27 as well as urine samples of ovarian cancer patients and healthy controls were analyzed.

Results

MiR-15a, miR-20a and miR-222 showed expression level alterations extracellularly, whereas miR-125b did intracellularly across the analyzed cell lines. MicroRNA expression alterations in single cell lines suggest subtype specificity in both compartments. Hypoxia and acidosis showed scarce effects on single miRNA expression levels only. Furthermore, we were able to demonstrate the feasibility to clearly detect the 12 miRNAs in urine samples. In urine, miR-15a was upregulated whereas let-7a was down-regulated in ovarian cancer patients.

Conclusion

Intracellular, extracellular and urinary microRNA expression alterations emphasize their great potential as biomarkers in liquid biopsies. Especially, miR-15a and let-7a qualify for possible circulating biomarkers in liquid biopsies of ovarian cancer patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00404-021-06287-1.

Early stage ovarian carcinoma with symptoms mimicking tuberculous peritonitis in a postmenopausal woman: A case report

RATIONALE

Ovarian cancer has the poorest prognosis of the gynecological cancers. Early diagnosis and treatment are important, but early-stage ovarian carcinoma has nonspecific symptoms. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and serum CA-125 levels can be helpful but may not elucidate cases of diffuse peritoneal diseases mimicking carcinomatosis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The patient had intermittent abdominal discomfort and dysuria. Abdominal-pelvic computed tomography findings were suspicious for peritoneal tuberculosis (TB) and a small cystic mass in the left ovary. The CA-125 values were normal.

DIAGNOSES

She underwent laparoscopy for pathologic confirmation of tuberculous peritonitis and management of the ovary mass. Bilateral adnexectomy was performed. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a serous ovarian carcinoma in her left ovary and salpinx.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic hysterectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, para-aortic nodal dissection, and omentectomy were carried out for staging evaluation.

OUTCOMES

We encountered a rare case of ovary cancer stage IA serous ovarian carcinoma incidentally discovered by laparoscopy in a postmenopausal woman. She received adjuvant chemotherapy without relapse.

LESSONS

Peritoneal TB may mimic peritoneal or ovarian carcinoma, but the reverse case is rare. Hence, gynecologists should be careful in assessment of patients before treatment.

Ovarian torsion of mixed epithelial tumor misdiagnosed as a malignancy in postmenopausal woman: A case report

RATIONALE

Adnexal torsion is 1 of the most common emergency gynecological disease. It is more often diagnosed in reproductive age, but rarely in postmenopausal women. The clinical symptoms of adnexal torsion are nonspecific in postmenopausal women. Epithelial ovarian tumors are common in adults, and the risk of malignancy increases with age, especially after menopause. So, it is difficult to diagnose adnexal torsion precisely compared with reproductive women, and most cases of adnexal torsion with postmenopausal women are diagnosed as a malignancy preoperatively. We report a case of ovarian torsion with mixed epithelial tumor misdiagnosed as a malignancy in postmenopausal woman.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 65-year-old woman presented lower left abdominal pain, and there was slight abdominal distension, but no tenderness or rebound tenderness on abdominal palpation.

DIAGNOSES

Radiologic assessments showed a huge multiseptated cystic mass with solid portion in the left ovary, and malignancy was suspected. The test for serum tumor markers revealed normal levels of cancer antigen 125 (CA-125).

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent a laparotomy and there was torsion of the left ovary. We conducted frozen biopsy of left ovary for confirming malignancy before performing staging surgery.

OUTCOMES

The result of a frozen section biopsy confirmed a borderline Brenner tumor associated with a benign mucinous tumor. Subsequently, total hysterectomy and right salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. The operation was completed without addition procedures LESSONS:: Ovarian torsion is benign in most cases and malignancy is rare. Although very rare, ovarian torsion can occur in postmenopausal women, and it should be taken into consideration that the possibility of malignancy is low in postmenopausal women with normal CA-125 levels. Instead of performing staging surgery, it appears to be appropriate to carry out surgery based on the result of intraoperative frozen section biopsy so that we were able to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.

Evolving Role of Serum Biomarkers in the Management of Ovarian Cancer

The availability of an ideal serum tumor marker would be of great clinical benefit for both the diagnosis and management of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Serum cancer antigen 125 assay significantly increases the diagnostic reliability of ultrasound in discriminating a malignant from a benign ovarian mass, especially in postmenopausal women, and it is the only well validated tumor marker for monitoring disease course. Several other tumor-associated antigens have been assessed, including glycoprotein antigens other than cancer antigen 125, soluble cytokeratin fragments, kallikreins, cytokines and cytokine receptors, vascular endothelial growth factor, D-dimer, and lisophosphatidic acid. This article assesses the potential diagnostic and prognostic role of these novel biomarkers, both alone and in combination with cancer antigen 125. The future for serum tumor marker research is represented by the emerging technology of proteomics, which may allow scientific advances comparable to those achieved with the introduction of monoclonal antibody technology.

Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) in Evaluation of Adnexal Mass

BACKGROUND

The discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses is central to decisions regarding clinical management and surgical planning in such patients.

PURPOSE OF STUDY

To determine if the RMI (RMI 2) can distinguish between benign and malignant adnexal masses.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was conducted of 58 women with an adnexal mass referred to a teaching hospital for diagnosis and management.

RESULTS

RMI > 200 had a sensitivity of 70.5 % (95 % CI 46.87-86.72), a specificity of 87.8 % (95 % CI 74.46-94.68), a positive predictive value of 70.5%, and negative predictive value of 87.8 %. ROC showed that cut off value of 25 achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 82.35 and 43.9 %, respectively, and a cut off value of 1,000 gave a sensitivity and specificity of 58.81 and 97.56 %, respectively. The association between RMI and disease status was not statistically significant for mucinous tumors.

CONCLUSION

RMI is a reliable tool in differentiating benign from malignant adnexal masses. It is simple, easy to use and cost effective. However it's predictive accuracy was less for mucinous as compared to serous epithelial ovarian cancers. The study is limited by its small sample size.

Ovarian cancer screening practices of obstetricians and gynecologists in puerto rico

Background. Ovarian cancer is the most fatal malignancy of the female genital tract and is associated with high mortality. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend against screening for ovarian cancer in asymptomatic, average-risk women. Objective. To assess the ovarian cancer screening practices in asymptomatic, average-risk women among obstetricians and gynecologists (Ob/Gyn) in Puerto Rico. Methodology. From 2011 to 2012, self-administered anonymous questionnaires were mailed to all licensed obstetricians and gynecologists in PR. Results. Response rate was 25%. Overall, 53.9% were screening for the disease. Reported screening methods were CA-125 and transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), 39.2%, TVUS only, 30.4%, and CA-125 only, 9.8%. In the logistic regression model, the odds that a given health practitioner routinely screened for ovarian cancer in the asymptomatic, average-risk population increased by 8% with every unit increase in his or her years in practice. Conclusion. The majority of the practicing Ob/Gyn in PR who participated are not following the guidelines established by the ACOG and the USPSTF for ovarian cancer screening.

Risks and benefits of screening asymptomatic women for ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify risks and benefits of screening asymptomatic women for ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL, without language restrictions, from January 1, 1979 to February 5, 2012. Eligible studies randomly assigned asymptomatic women to screening or usual care. Two reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, extracted data using a standardized, piloted extraction form, and assessed bias and strength of inference for each outcome using the GRADE framework. Chance-corrected agreement was calculated at each step, and disagreements were resolved through consensus.

RESULTS

Ten randomized trials proved eligible. Screening did not reduce all-cause mortality (relative risk (RR)=1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96-1.06), ovarian cancer specific mortality (RR=1.08, 95% CI 0.84-1.38), or risk of diagnosis at an advanced stage (RR of diagnosis at FIGO stages III-IV=0.86, 95% CI 0.68-1.11). Transvaginal ultrasound resulted in a mean of 38 surgeries per ovarian cancer detected (95% CI 15.7-178.1) while screening with CA-125 led to 4 surgeries per ovarian cancer detected (95% CI 2.7-4.5). Surgery was associated with severe complications in 6% of women (95% CI 1%-11%). Quality of life was not affected by screening; however, women with false-positive results had increased cancer-specific distress compared to those with normal results (odds ratio (OR)=2.22, 95% CI 1.23-3.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Screening asymptomatic women for ovarian cancer does not reduce mortality or diagnosis at an advanced stage and is associated with unnecessary surgery.

Human epididymis protein 4 in cancer diagnostics: a promising and reliable tumor marker

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a member of the "four-disulfide core" family that comprises a heterogeneous group of small acid- and heat-stable proteins of divergent function. Although there is an exponential growth of evidence that HE4 is a valuable tumor marker for ovarian malignancies, the exploration of the usefulness of this glycoprotein in the large tumor landscape is still ongoing. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay, and bead-based array system are the preferred analytical methods for measuring HE4 concentration. Serum and urinary HE4 levels appear to be more affected by carcinogenesis than by other pathologic processes. Apart from the malignancy itself, histological type of cancer, cancer stage, and menopausal status affects HE4 concentration. An important objective in nowadays research remains the development of a tumor marker panel with a sufficient accuracy for risk assessment, early diagnosis, prognosis, and response to therapeutic treatment of cancer.

PEGylated liposome IHL-305 markedly improved the survival of ovarian cancer peritoneal metastasis in mouse

BACKGROUND

Advanced ovarian cancer is characterized by peritoneal metastasis and the accumulation of ascites. Peritoneal metastasis of ovarian cancer is a major cause of the negative treatment outcome, as these metastases are resistant to most chemotherapy regimens. The aim of this study was to clarify aggressive pathology of peritoneal metastasis and examine the therapeutic efficacy of a liposomal agent in the model.

METHODS

A human cancer cell line ES-2 of ovarian clear cell carcinoma, known as a chemotherapy-resistant cancer, was cultured in nonadherent plate to form spheroid and single cell suspension was transplanted into mouse peritoneal cavity. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways in the cellular aggregates were analyzed both spheroid and ascites. The pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of CPT-11 (45 mg/kg) and IHL-305 (45 mg/kg), an irinotecan-encapsulated liposome, were examined by intravenous administration.

RESULTS

Established peritoneal metastasis model showed an accumulation of ascites. The activation of EGFR and Akt was demonstrated in cellular aggregates both in the spheroid and ascites. In ascites samples, the area under the curve of SN-38, the activated form of CPT-11, was 3.8 times higher from IHL-305-treated mice than from CPT-11-treated mice. IHL-305 prolonged the survival time and decreased the accumulation of ascites and tumor metastasis. The median survival time were 22, 37 and 54 days in the control, CPT-11-treated, and IHL-305-treated mice, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

EGFR/Akt pathway contributes to the aggressive progression in ES-2 peritoneal metastasis model and effective delivery into ascites of IHL-305 was thought to useful treatment for ovarian cancer with peritoneal metastasis.

Management of a suspicious adnexal mass: a clinical practice guideline

QUESTIONS

What is the optimal strategy for preoperative identification of the adnexal mass suspicious for ovarian cancer? What is the most appropriate surgical procedure for a woman who presents with an adnexal mass suspicious for malignancy?

PERSPECTIVES

In Canada in 2010, 2600 new cases of ovarian cancer were estimated to have been diagnosed, and of those patients, 1750 were estimated to have died, making ovarian cancer the 7th most prevalent form of cancer and the 5th leading cause of cancer death in Canadian women. Women with ovarian cancer typically have subtle, nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, changes in bowel frequency, and urinary or pelvic symptoms, making early detection difficult. Thus, most ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the cancer has spread outside the pelvis. Because of late diagnosis, the 5-year relative survival ratio for ovarian cancer in Canada is only 40%. Unfortunately, because of the low positive predictive value of potential screening tests (cancer antigen 125 and ultrasonography), there is currently no screening strategy for ovarian cancer. The purpose of this document is to identify evidence that would inform optimal recommended protocols for the identification and surgical management of adnexal masses suspicious for malignancy.

OUTCOMES

Outcomes of interest for the identification question included sensitivity and specificity. Outcomes of interest for the surgical question included optimal surgery, overall survival, progression-free or disease-free survival, reduction in the number of surgeries, morbidity, adverse events, and quality of life.

METHODOLOGY

After a systematic review, a practice guideline containing clinical recommendations relevant to patients in Ontario was drafted. The practice guideline was reviewed and approved by the Gynecology Disease Site Group and the Report Approval Panel of the Program in Evidence-based Care. External review by Ontario practitioners was obtained through a survey, the results of which were incorporated into the practice guideline.

PRACTICE GUIDELINE

These recommendations apply to adult women presenting with a suspicious adnexal mass, either symptomatic or asymptomatic. IDENTIFICATION OF AN ADNEXAL MASS SUSPICIOUS FOR OVARIAN CANCER: Sonography (particularly 3-dimensional sonography), magnetic resonance imaging (mri), and computed tomography (ct) imaging are each recommended for differentiating malignant from benign ovarian masses. However, the working group offers the following further recommendations, based on their expert consensus opinion and a consideration of availability, access, and harm: Where technically feasible, transvaginal sonography should be the modality of first choice in patients with a suspicious isolated ovarian mass.To help clarify malignant potential in patients in whom ultrasonography may be unreliable, mri is the most appropriate test.In cases in which extra-ovarian disease is suspected or needs to be ruled out, ct is the most useful technique.Evaluation of an adnexal mass by Doppler technology alone is not recommended. Doppler technology should be combined with a morphology assessment.Ultrasonography-based morphology scoring systems can be used to differentiate benign from malignant adnexal masses. These scoring systems are based on specific ultrasound parameters, each with several scores base on determined features. All evaluated scoring systems were found to have an acceptable level of sensitivity and specificity; the choice of scoring system may therefore be made based on clinician preference.As a standalone modality, serum cancer antigen 125 is not recommended for distinguishing between benign and malignant adnexal masses.Frozen sections for the intraoperative diagnosis of a suspicious adnexal mass is recommended in settings in which availability and patient preference allow. SURGICAL PROCEDURES FOR AN ADNEXAL MASS SUSPICIOUS FOR MALIGNANCY: To improve survival, comprehensive surgical staging with lymphadenectomy is recommended for the surgical management of patients with early-stage ovarian cancer. Laparoscopy is a reasonable alternative to laparotomy, provided that appropriate surgery and staging can be done. The choice between laparoscopy and laparotomy should be based on patient and clinician preference. Discussion with a gynecologic oncologist is recommended. Fertility-preserving surgery is an acceptable alternative to more extensive surgery in patients with low-malignant-potential tumours and those with well-differentiated surgical stage i ovarian cancer. Discussion with a gynecologic oncologist is recommended.

Screening for gynaecologic cancers in genetically predisposed women

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome and hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer syndrome are the two most important syndromes responsible for inherited cancers in gynaecology. Genetic testing is available for both these syndromes. Breast cancer gene testing is affordable and easy in women with ancestry where the mutation patterns are known, whereas other population groups need full gene screening. Hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer syndrome can now be diagnosed more frequently with the use of immunohistochemistry. Ovarian cancer risk is high in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndromes, and advanced screening techniques should be used when preventive surgery is not an option. Early detection techniques offer less protection than prophylactic removal, but enable women to retain their reproductive organs. Oophorectomy has the advantage of reducing breast cancer risk. In colorectal cancer syndromes, the risk for endometrial and ovarian cancer is much elevated. These risks should be recognised and addressed as these diseases are easy to prevent.

fTwo novel biomarkers, mesothelin and HE4, for diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma

INTRODUCTION: There is a need to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian carcinoma, particularly the serous type of cancer. Mesothelin and HE4 are two novel biomarkers which are expressed in serous ovarian carcinoma and can be measured in serum and other body fluids, including urine, by using ELISA. The measurement of antibodies to these markers can provide additional useful information. AREAS COVERED: A literature search was performed to as recent as December 1 2010, using the Internet (e.g. PubMed) on articles concerning mesothelin and HE4 for the diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma. The authors also included up to date recent information from the research performed in their own laboratory. EXPERT OPINION: The combination of CA125 with HE4 facilitates the triaging of women with a pelvic mass and detects more stage I/II tumors than CA125, the present 'gold standard', when used alone. Assaying urine for HE4 or mesothelin may detect early ovarian carcinoma more often than assaying serum. Antibodies to mesothelin and HE4 are more frequent in women with ovarian carcinoma or with certain types of infertility than in controls. No presently available biomarker or multi-marker panel lends itself to screening large populations of symptomless women to make possible detection of high grade serous ovarian carcinoma at stage I or II. The authors anticipate, within the next 5 years, that a greater emphasis will be given to the fact that the different subtypes of ovarian carcinoma represent different types of disease. Each different type of disease will require a different diagnostic approach and more efforts will focus on high grade serous ovarian carcinoma for which the clinical need is the greatest.

Screening for Ovarian Cancer

Background

Ovarian cancer remains the most deadly of the gynecologic cancers. It is difficult to diagnose until in advanced stages. An effective screening test may help to decrease mortality from ovarian cancer. Due to the low incidence of ovarian cancer in the general population, a good screening test must have high sensitivity and specificity to allow accurate detection without excessive false-positive results. Thus, effective screening for ovarian cancer has remained elusive.

Methods

Studies evaluating screening methods for ovarian cancer are reviewed. Screening methods investigated include ultrasound, CA-125, and serum proteins.

Results

The use of CA-125 or ultrasound alone does not result in adequate sensitivity or specificity for routine screening. A combination of the two modalities improves sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value. Using a combination of serum proteins may also improve sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value, but such studies have yet to be validated.

Conclusions

No effective screening methods for ovarian cancer that have been adequately validated are available. Routine screening for ovarian cancer in the general population is not currently recommended.

Paclitaxel: cost-effectiveness in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer accounts for a significant burden of healthcare costs worldwide. Therapy of this disease consists of a combined surgical and chemotherapeutic approach. Remarkable advances in chemotherapy have been made with the introduction of new agents such as paclitaxel. Based on positive clinical data from randomized trials, numerous cost studies have been undertaken to analyze the cost-effectiveness of paclitaxel. Reviewing all the available cost studies, the authors conclude that paclitaxel plus cisplatin treatment is cost effective. Paclitaxel demonstrated survival and utility gains in combination with cisplatin as first-line treatment in patients with Stage II-IV ovarian cancer compared with cyclophosphamide and cisplatin. Incremental costs of USD 6600-22,000 per life year gained are within an accepted range for new treatments.

Women's awareness of ovarian cancer risks and symptoms

BACKGROUND

The vast majority of cases of ovarian cancer are diagnosed at stage III or IV, and five-year survival rates after diagnosis at these stages are 71% and 31%, respectively. Although a consensus among researchers on the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer has evolved over time, whether women themselves know them isn't clear.

OBJECTIVE

To assess how well informed women ages 40 and older are of ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors.

METHODS

In 2006 the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition developed an online survey with a private research firm that asked respondents about their familiarity with ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors. Women were also asked whether they thought the Papanicolaou test diagnosed ovarian cancer (a common misconception) and whether they had discussed ovarian cancer with a physician. If they had discussed the issue, they were asked who had initiated the conversation. Data from a convenience sample of 1,235 responses to the online survey were analyzed, using descriptive and comparative statistics. Respondents were categorized by age, education level, race or ethnicity, and whether or not they knew someone with ovarian cancer. Comparisons were made to determine whether demographic factors were associated with women's knowledge of specific symptoms and risk factors associated with ovarian cancer.

RESULTS

Only 15% of respondents were familiar with ovarian cancer symptoms, and more than two-thirds incorrectly believed that the Papanicolaou test diagnoses the disease. Four out of five had never had a conversation with a physician about symptoms and risk factors; among these, more than half assumed that because their physician had not initiated such a discussion, ovarian cancer was "not an issue." Of the 19% of women who'd had such discussions, two-thirds had initiated them themselves. Respondents were more knowledgeable about risk factors; 59% correctly identified personal or family history of breast, ovarian, or colon cancer, and half of respondents correctly identified genetic predisposition, as risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

Awareness of ovarian cancer symptoms and risk factors among women in the general population is low. Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at late stages, when cure is difficult; consequently, heightening women's awareness of risk factors and symptoms might help to reduce delays in diagnosis. Nurses should provide women with specific information on symptoms and risk factors in educating them on ovarian cancer.

Clinical management recommendations for surveillance and risk-reduction strategies for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer among individuals carrying a deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

BACKGROUND

In Canada, there are wide variations in services for patients at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC), and clinical interventions and recommendations differ between regions and/or provinces. National strategies for the clinical management of HBOC exist in the United Kingdom, France, and Australia, and clinical programs in Canada would benefit from similar national recommendations and a consistent approach to clinical management. The National Hereditary Cancer Task Force developed recommendations to address the clinical management of patients at high risk of HBOC and related cancers. These recommendations are based on current practice in high-risk cancer clinics that provide care for individuals with known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.

METHODS

Canadian consensus recommendations were generated by the National Hereditary Cancer Task Force and compared mainly with two recently published guidance documents on the clinical management of women with increased risk of HBOC, one from the United Kingdom and the other from France. After review of these documents and the associated supporting scientific evidence, the Canadian consensus recommendations were modified and rated using predefined criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

These recommendations pertain to (1) surveillance options including breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, breast surveillance by imaging, ovarian cancer surveillance, and surveillance for men; (2) risk-reduction strategies including prophylactic mastectomy, prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy, and pharmacoprevention; and (3) the use of exogenous hormones. Regular updates should occur as new evidence becomes available.

Ovarian Cancer Screening in Women With a Family History of Breast or Ovarian Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate positive predictive values of CA 125 or transvaginal ultrasonography screening for ovarian cancer according to family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

METHODS

In the screening arm of a randomized controlled trial of screening compared with usual care, 28,460 women with family history data received baseline and annual CA 125 and transvaginal ultrasonography examinations. We analyzed CA 125 and transvaginal ultrasonography results from the first four rounds of screening. We classified women as average (n=22,687), moderate (n=2,572), or high (n=2,163) risk based on family history, or high risk due to a personal history of breast cancer (n=1,038). Cancers were identified by active follow-up of women with abnormal screening results and annual questionnaires. We calculated positive predictive values for screening combinations.

RESULTS

Similar proportions (4.8-5.0%) of women in each group had abnormal screening results. Higher-risk women were more likely than lower-risk women to undergo biopsy after a positive screen. Screening identified 43 invasive ovarian cancers. The positive predictive values for abnormal screening results were 0.7% in average-risk, 1.3% in moderate-risk, and 1.6% in high-risk groups; one ovarian cancer occurred among the breast cancer survivors. The positive predictive values for postbaseline abnormal screening results were also higher in the higher-risk groups. The positive predictive values did not significantly differ across risk groups.

CONCLUSION

Probabilities of abnormal annual CA 125 and transvaginal ultrasonography screens were similar across groups based on family history of breast or ovarian cancer. However, ovarian cancer was more likely to be diagnosed after an abnormal screening result among women at higher family history-based risk than among women at lower risk.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

I.

Bead-based ELISA for validation of ovarian cancer early detection markers

PURPOSE

Efforts to validate ovarian cancer early detection biomarkers with immunoassays are challenged by the limited specimen volumes available. We sought to develop a specimen-efficient assay to measure CA125 in serum, assess its reproducibility, validity, and performance, and test its potential for multiplexing and combining with human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), a promising novel ovarian cancer marker.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Four pairs of commercially available anti-CA125 antibodies and one pair of anti-HE4 antibodies were evaluated for accuracy in measuring known concentrations of antigen on a bead-based platform. The two best pairs were further assessed for reproducibility, validity, and the ability to discriminate between blinded serum samples obtained from ovarian cancer cases (n = 66) and women without ovarian cancer (n = 125).

RESULTS

Suitability for use in a bead-based assay varied across CA125 antibody pairs. Two CA125 bead-based assays were highly reproducible (overall correlations between replicates >/= 0.95; coefficients of variation < 0.2) and strongly correlated with the research standard CA125II RIA (correlations >/= 0.9). Their ability to distinguish ovarian cancer cases from non-cases based on receiver operating characteristic analyses (area under the curve, AUC, of 0.85 and 0.84) was close to that of the CA125II RIA (AUC, 0.87). The HE4 bead-based assay showed lower reproducibility but yielded an AUC of 0.89 in receiver operating characteristics analysis. Multiplexing was not possible but a composite marker including CA125 and HE4 achieved an AUC of 0.91.

CONCLUSION

Optimization procedures yielded two bead-based assays for CA125 that perform comparably to the standard CA125II RIA, which could be combined with an HE4 bead-based assay to improve diagnostic performance, and requires only 15 muL of sample each.

[Adenomyosis: update on a frequent but difficult diagnosis]

Adenomyosis is a frequent entity, with difficult diagnosis, often obtained by pathological analysis performed after hysterectomy. This condition can cause abnormal uterine bleeding and dysmenorrhea, frequent reasons for consultation and hysterectomy. The development of ultrasonographic and magnetic resonance imaging techniques allow preoperative diagnosis. They also permit the use of hysteroscopic techniques for conservative uterine surgery, and have brought diagnosis and management of this disease to the front of the scene. This article reviews the pathological description of the disease, its epidemiology, clinical presentations, useful and necessary explorations, etiopathogeny and available therapies.

Microheterogeneity of transthyretin in serum and ascitic fluid of ovarian cancer patients

Background

Transthyretin (TTR), a traditional biomarker for nutritional and inflammatory status exists in different molecular variants of yet unknown importance. A truncated form of TTR has recently been described to be part of a set of biomarkers for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The main aim of the study was therefore to characterize differences in microheterogeneity between ascitic fluid and plasma of women affected with ovarian cancer and to evaluate the tumor site as the possible source of TTR.

Methods

Subjects were 48 women with primary invasive epithelial ovarian cancer or recurrent ovarian carcinoma. The control group consisted of 20 postmenopausal women. TTR and retinol-binding protein (RBP) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels by a high-sensitivity latex particle turbidimetric assay. The molecular heterogeneity of TTR was analysed using immunoprecipitation and matrix-associated laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Presence of TTR in tumor tissue was determined with indirect peroxidase immunostaining.

Results

TTR and RBP (μg/ml) levels in serum were 148.5 ± 96.7 and 22.5 ± 14.8 in affected women compared to 363.3 ± 105.5 and 55.8 ± 9.3 in healthy postmenopausal women (p < 0.01). In ascitic fluid, levels were 1.02 ± 0.24 and 4.63 ± 1.57 μg/ml, respectively. The mean levels of TTR and RBP in serum showed a tendency to decrease with the severity of the disease and were lower in affected women whose CRP levels were > 40 mg/ml (p = 0.08 for TTR; p < 0.05 for RBP). No differences in TTR microheterogeneity were observed between TTR isolated from serum of affected and healthy women or from ascitic fluid. TTR occurred rather consistently in four variants. Mass signals were at 13758 ± 7, 13876 ± 13 (greatest intensity), 13924 ± 21 and 14062 ± 24 Da, representing native, S-cysteinylated, S-cysteinglycinylated and glutathionylated TTR, respectively. Serum of healthy and affected women as well as ascitic fluid contained the truncated fragment of TTR (12828 ± 11 Da). No immunoreactive TTR was observed in the tumor sites.

Conclusion

The severity of the cancer associated catabolism as well as the inflammation status affect serum TTR and RBP levels. Neither TTR nor its truncated form originates from tumor tissue and its occurrence in ascites may well reflect the filtration from blood into ascitic fluid.

Anti-Tumor Antibodies in Ovarian Cancer

Anti-tumor antibodies have potential as cancer biomarkers. There is relatively limited identification of anti-tumor antibodies in response to ovarian cancer, compared with studies for other cancers. There is also very limited information on the prevalence of anti-tumor antibodies among ovarian cancer patients. Although most anti-tumor antibodies react with antigens common to both tumor and normal tissue, the anti-tumor response tends to be confined to individuals with ovarian cancer, similar to other cancers. Antibodies to HOXA7, a differentiation antigen, have the highest reported prevalence in ovarian cancer (67%). Antibodies to other ubiquitous antigens including NY-ESO-1, Ep-CAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule), HSP-90 (heat shock protein 90), and mutated p53 have been identified in ovarian cancer. Anti-tumor antibody specificity reflects the heterogeneity of antigen expression in tumors. Tests based on panels of a combination of anti-tumor antibodies may be more predictive for ovarian cancer, as no single specificity accounts for ovarian tumors. In addition to characterization of anti-tumor antibodies as diagnostic markers, study of anti-tumor antibodies is likely to provide insights into mechanisms of tumor development. There is evidence of antibodies to tumor antigens and of activated T cells, suggesting immune recognition of tumor antigens occurred. Nonetheless, as tumors are not 'rejected', it is likely that there are alterations in the immune system. The basis for tumor growth in the face of immune activity remains to be determined.