Local radiation therapy for localized relapsed or refractory ovarian cancer patients with or without symptoms after chemotherapy

Involved-field radiation therapy for selected cases of recurrent ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

In our institutional experience, involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) yields favorable outcomes in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This retrospective study aimed to investigate the clinical benefits of IFRT in this patient population.

METHODS

Among patients treated with IFRT for recurrent EOC between 2010 and 2017, 61 patients with 90 treatments were included. IFRT encompassed all treatable lesions identified via imaging studies with 10-15-mm margins. Prescribed doses were ≥45 Gy (equivalent dose in 2 Gy/fraction).

RESULTS

Patients were followed up for a median of 19.0 (Interquartile range, 8.6-34.9) months after IFRT. The 2-year in-field control, progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS) rates were 42.7%, 24.2%, and 78.9%, respectively. Fifty-three IFRT sessions (58.9%) were followed by systemic chemotherapy, and the median chemotherapy-free interval (CFI) was 10.5 (95% confidence interval=7.3-13.7) months. A higher carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) level correlated with a worse 2-year OS (69.2% vs. 91.0%; p=0.001) and shorter median CFI (4.7 vs. 11.9 months; p<0.001). Twenty-eight (31.1%) of 90 treatments yielded a long-term CFI >12 months. For patients with a normal CA-125 level and/or platinum-sensitive tumor, IFRT prolonged CFI regardless of pre-existing carcinomatosis, gross tumor volume, and number of treatment sites.

CONCLUSION

Our early experience demonstrates the safety and feasibility of IFRT as an effective salvage therapy and enables a "chemotherapy holiday" in selected recurrent EOC settings. The CA-125 value before IFRT (within normal range) and/or platinum sensitivity could be used as selection criteria for IFRT.

The impact of radiation on lymphedema: a review of the literature

Radiation therapy (RT) is a common adjunct therapy in oncology. However, it carries a significant risk of lymphedema when utilized in some anatomic locations. Recent studies have provided insight into lymphedema pathophysiology, diagnostic techniques, and RT. This review will examine the role of RT in upper and lower extremity lymphedema. Radiation's role in increasing the risk of lymphedema through decreased lymphatic proliferation potential, interstitial fibrosis compressing lymphatic vessels, and mechanical insufficiency of the lymphatic system will be reviewed.

Cutaneous Metastases in Ovarian Cancer

Skin metastases in ovarian cancer are uncommon, but their incidence may be increasing due to improved survival rates. Skin metastases can be divided into umbilical metastases, which are known as Sister Joseph nodules (SJNs) and are associated with peritoneal metastasis, and non-SJN skin metastases, which usually develop within surgical scars and in the vicinity of superficial lymphadenopathy. As most skin metastases develop after specific conditions, recognition of preceding metastatic diseases and prior treatments is necessary for early diagnosis of skin lesions. The prognosis of skin metastases in ovarian cancer varies widely since they are heterogeneous in the site of lesion and the time of appearance. Patients with SJNs at initial diagnosis and patients with surgical scar recurrences without concomitant metastases may have prolonged survival with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. In patients who developed skin recurrences as a late manifestation, symptoms should be treated with external beam radiotherapy and immune response modifiers. Immune checkpoint blockade can enhance anti-tumor immunity and induce durable clinical responses in multiple tumor types, including advanced chemoresistant ovarian cancer. With the use of radiation therapy, which enhances the systemic anti-tumor immune response, immune checkpoint blockade may be a promising therapeutic strategy for distant metastasis, including skin metastasis.

Long-Term Survival After Surgery and Radiotherapy for Recurrent or Persistent Ovarian and Tubal Cancer

OBJECTIVE

This study examines the factors associated with long-term disease-specific survival (DSS) and complications after radiotherapy (RT) for recurrent or persistent ovarian and tubal cancer.

METHODS/MATERIALS

Between 1980 and 2015, 65 women with ovarian (57), tubal (3), or co-existent ovarian/endometrial carcinoma (5) received RT (>45 Gy) with curative intent for recurrent (45) or persistent cancer (20) found at second-look surgery. Surgery to debulk (± restage) was integrated into the management of all but 7 cases.

RESULTS

Twenty-two women had no evidence of disease at last contact after a median of 15.6 years (range = 1.0-35.8 years). Of the 53 patients treated more than 10 years ago, 18 (34%) are in this long-term no evidence of disease group. Univariate analysis showed that the following factors were significantly associated with longer DSS (P < 0.05): initial stage I, II (vs III, IV); endometrioid histology (vs serous and other); no or 1 previous chemotherapy (vs ≥2); no macroscopic tumor before RT (vs macroscopic); localized tumor encompassed by a limited-volume RT field (vs more widespread tumor), and chemotherapy and RT (vs RT only). Multivariate analysis showed that endometrioid (vs other histology HR = 4.37, P = 0.017) and localized tumor (vs more widespread tumor, HR = 2.43, P = 0.017) were significantly associated with longer DSS.After RT to the pelvis and/or abdomen, 13 (21.7%) of 60 patients developed G3 or 4 bowel complications requiring surgery. In 10, these occurred in the presence of tumor, RT changes, and adhesions, and in 3, there was no sign of cancer. Six patients (9.2%) developed a subsequent malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that there is a role for the use of RT in selected cases of localized recurrent or persistent ovarian cancer and may confer long-term survival. Surgery is useful to debulk and define the extent of tumor to be irradiated but may confer an increased risk of severe bowel complications.

Involved-field radiation therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer: Results of a multi-institutional prospective phase II trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) in patients with locoregionally confined recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

This study included patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer eligible for IFRT either during diagnosis of the recurrence or after salvage therapies. IFRT was performed at a dose of ≥45 Gy for all tumors with 10-15-mm margins as seen on standard imaging. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS); the secondary endpoints were safety, response rate, local control, and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Thirty patients with a mean number of 5.7 metastatic lesions each were enrolled between 2014 and 2016. Seventeen were treated with 3-D conformal radiation therapy (RT) and 13 with intensity-modulated RT. IFRT was well tolerated in all patients, and acute toxicity ≥ grade 2 was not observed. One case of grade 3 abdominal pain was reported 10 months post-RT. The overall and complete response rates were 85.7% and 50%, respectively. After a median follow-up of 28 (range, 17-42) months, the median PFS was 7 months. The 2-year PFS rate was 39.3%. Six of the 16 patients who developed outfield disease progression after IFRT were successfully treated with repeat IFRT as salvage treatment. The 3-year local control and OS rates were 84.4% and 55.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the primary endpoint was not met, IFRT might be safe and effective for in-field tumor control in patients with persistent epithelial ovarian cancer with a limited number of metastatic foci. We plan to conduct a larger scale multi-center phase II prospective study.

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Oligometastatic Ovarian Cancer: A Step Toward a Drug Holiday

PURPOSE

To evaluate stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for metachronous oligometastatic ovarian cancer patients in terms of local control, delay of systemic treatment, survival outcomes, and toxicity.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Retrospective data collection from a single institution was performed. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) oligorecurrent or oligoprogressive disease in ovarian cancer patients during or after systemic therapy; (2) surgery or other local therapies not feasible; and (3) relative contraindication to systemic therapy for reasons such as unavailability of additional chemotherapy lines or refusal of the patient. Tumor response and toxicity were evaluated using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03, respectively. A new systemic therapy regimen was started after an SBRT treatment course in 57 of 109 cases (52.3%). Local progression-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival were calculated via the Kaplan-Meier method. The systemic treatment-free interval was calculated in cases without concomitant systemic therapy.

RESULTS

Between May 2012 and December 2016, 82 patients (156 lesions) underwent SBRT with a median dose of 24 Gy in 3 fractions. The median follow-up period was 17.4 months. Patients received a median of 3 systemic therapy regimens prior to SBRT. Concomitant systemic therapy was performed for 29 lesions (18.6%). Among 152 evaluable lesions, a complete radiologic response, partial response, stabilization, and progressive disease were observed in 91 (60%), 26 (17%), 24 (16%), and 11 (7%), respectively. No grade 3 or 4 acute or late toxicities were observed. The median systemic treatment-free interval after SBRT was 7.4 months, and 1 of 3 patients was disease free at 1 year after SBRT. The actuarial 2-year local progression-free survival, progression-free survival, and overall survival rates were 68%, 18%, and 71%, respectively. The pattern of failure was predominantly out of field.

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT for oligometastatic ovarian cancer showed good local control and a good toxicity profile. It might be an appealing alternative to other invasive local therapies to delay systemic therapy in the case of chemorefractory disease or intolerance to systemic agents.

Survival Benefit of Adjuvant Radiotherapy: An Analysis of Low-Stage Invasive Ovarian Mucinous Carcinomas

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to evaluate the population-based outcomes of stages I and II invasive ovarian mucinous carcinomas (MCs) treated with adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy and abdominopelvic radiotherapy (XRT).

METHODS

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I/II MC cases referred to the British Columbia Cancer Agency between 1984 and 2014 were reviewed. Chemotherapy (minimum of 3 cycles) and XRT were the institutional policy for stages IA/B (grade 2/3) and IC/II (any grade). Physician patterns of practice determined XRT use in eligible patients, allowing for the comparison of outcomes based on receipt of XRT treatment on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

We identified 129 patients. Univariate analyses on substages IA, IC no rupture, IC with intraoperative rupture, and IC with preoperative rupture demonstrated 10-year DFS rates of 67%, 67%, 67%, and 27% (P = 0.004), respectively, and OS rates of 72%, 72%, 67%, and 38% (P = 0.01), respectively. For all patients, adjuvant XRT demonstrated improved 10-year DFS (78% vs 36%, P = 0.05) and OS (83% vs 36%, P = 0.02). Subgroup analysis did not detect a benefit of adjuvant therapy for stage IA grade 1/2. Multivariate analysis confirmed the benefit of XRT on DFS (hazard ratio, 0.14; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.98; P = 0.047) and a trend to improved OS (hazard ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.009-1.64; P = 0.11), whereas decision tree analysis demonstrated a reduced rate of relapse (33% vs 77%) and death (20% vs 46%) with the use of XRT, exclusive of patients with preoperative rupture.

CONCLUSIONS

This population-based retrospective study is the first to demonstrate that the use of adjuvant abdominopelvic XRT after chemotherapy can improve survival in patients diagnosed as having stage I/II MC. Patients with stage IA grade 1 and grade 2 MC can have adjuvant therapy omitted.

Radiation therapy is a treatment to be considered for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer after chemotherapy

Aims and background

Radiation therapy provides a safe and effective alternative treatment option for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, although it has not been a treatment of choice. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of radiation therapy for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer after chemotherapy according to the disease status.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of 38 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer treated with radiation therapy at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, between January 1997 and December 2007. We analyzed their clinical characteristics and the outcome of radiation therapy.

Results

Thirty-eight patients were treated with radiation therapy. Their median age was 51.5 years. Most patients were FIGO stage III (27/38) with serous adenocarcinoma (26/38). All patients had received at least one regimen of platinum-based chemotherapy; 24 patients were sensitive to the first chemotherapy and the others were resistant. Lymph node and abdominopelvic wall were the most common sites of radiation therapy. The response rate was 65.0% (16 complete remissions and 10 partial remissions), and the median regression rate was 78.8% (range, −66.6 to 100.0). Median progression-free survival was 7.2 months (range, 1.0–66.6). In 28 patients who had a solitary relapsed site from the radiographic finding at the time of radiation therapy, it was 10.7 months (range, 1.8–66.6). Neither hematologic nor intestinal toxicity of grade 3–4 was observed. Prognostic factors were sensitivity to platinum and the site treated with radiation therapy.

Conclusions

Radiation therapy is a treatment that should be considered for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, especially in good responders to platinum or patients with solitary relapsed lesions.

Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: The Role of Radiation Therapy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to present the current radiation therapy status in recurrent ovarian cancer (OC) and explore potential solution to improve clinical outcomes in this setting of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed search was performed. An attempt was made to include all relevant studies. Pertinent references cited in selected articles were also considered.

RESULTS

The role of radiation therapy in recurrent OC needs to be defined. This is the largest reported analysis of published data.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemotherapy is the mainstay of recurrent OC treatment but prognosis remains very poor, and novel therapies are required to be integrated into this consolidated treatment regimen. Radiation therapy represents a valid alternative approach, even if no clear guidelines are available concerning it.

Palliative Radiation Therapy for Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: Efficacy and Predictors of Clinical Response

Objective

This study aimed to report response rates and predictors of response to palliative radiotherapy (RT) for recurrent ovarian cancer.

Methods/Materials

Database review identified 64 patients with symptomatic ovarian cancer recurrence who received a total of 76 courses of RT for 103 indications from March 2003 to August 2014. Radiotherapy indications were pain (44%), bleeding (32%), obstruction (15%), and other (9%). Responses were categorized as complete, partial, or none; all response (AR) was the sum of complete and partial responses. Response rates were compared using a χ2 test. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. Patients were followed up for symptom recurrence and death.

Results

Response rates were significantly higher for pain (AR, 87%) and bleeding (93%) than for obstruction (62%) and other (60%; P < 0.01). Patients treated for pain at nonbony sites had higher response rates (AR 96%) compared with those treated at bony sites (75%; P = 0.04). Patients with clear cell histology had the lowest response rates (AR, 60%) compared with those with serous (82%), endometrioid (95%), or other Müllerian histology (85%; P = 0.01). Platinum status at diagnosis or the time of RT was not associated with response, nor was tumor size or number of prior chemotherapy regimens. On multivariate analysis, histology, RT indication, and RT dose were independent predictors of response (all P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Palliative RT provides relief of pain and bleeding in most patients with ovarian cancer recurrence. Patients with symptomatic obstruction, bony involvement, and clear cell histology may experience lower clinical response rates.

CT-guided 125I brachytherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer

This retrospective study was to evaluate the local control and survival of ¹²⁵I brachytherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer. 52 ¹²⁵I brachytherapy procedures were performed in 47 patients with 51 recurrent ovarian cancer lesions. The follow-up period was 1-55 months (median 12 months). The local control rate (LC) of 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months was 93.3%, 77.7%, 58.9%, 38.7% and 19.3%, respectively. Patients with tumor size ≤ 4cm (85.7% vs 40.0%, P = 0.037) and actual D90 between 110 to 130Gy (47.4% vs 66.7% vs 62.5%, P = 0.029) had better LC. The 1, 2 and 3 years of overall survival (OS) was 79.3%, 63.0% and 52.5%, respectively. The poor performance status (HR 3.821, 95% CI 1.383-10.555; P = 0.010), concurrent distant metastasis (HR 9.222, 95% CI 1.710-49.737; P = 0.010) and large postoperative residual tumor size (HR 6.157, 95% CI 1.438-26.367; P = 0.014) were closely correlated with a poor OS. Our data indicate thatCT-guided ¹²⁵I brachytherapy is an effective and safe modality for the local treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer.

Radiation for persistent or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: a need for reassessment

Purpose

The role of radiotherapy (RT) was largely deserted after the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy, but still survival rates are disappointingly low. This study focuses on assessing the clinical efficacy of RT in relation to chemotherapy resistance.

Materials and Methods

From October 2002 to January 2015, 44 patients were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and treated with palliative RT for persistent or recurrent EOC. All patients received initial treatment with optimal debulking surgery and adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. The biologically effective dose (BED) was calculated with α/β set at 10. Ninety-four sites were treated with RT with a median BED of 50.7 Gy (range 28.0 to 79.2 Gy). The primary end-point was the in-field local control (LC) interval, defined as the time interval from the date RT was completed to the date any progressive or newly recurring disease within the RT field was detected on radiographic imaging.

Results

The median follow-up duration was 52.3 months (range 7.7 to 179.0 months). The 1-year and 2-year in-field LC rates were 66.0% and 55.0%, respectively. Comparisons of percent change of in-field tumor response showed similar distribution of responses among chemoresistant and chemosensitive tumors. On multivariate analysis of predictive factors for in-field LC analyzed by sites treated, BED ≥ 50 Gy (hazard ratio, 0.4; confidence interval, 0.2–0.9; p = 0.025) showed better outcomes.

Conclusion

Regardless of resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy, RT can be a feasible treatment modality for patients with persistent of recurrent EOC. The specific role of RT using updated approaches needs to be reassessed.

Paraaortic node recurrence 25 years after removal of epithelial ovarian carcinoma

In epithelial ovarian carcinoma, very late (more than 20 years) recurrence is an unusual event. In patients experiencing such a recurrence, the effectiveness of platinum/taxane chemotherapy has been questioned. A 54-year old woman presented with paraaortic node swelling that appeared 25 years after treatment of stage I epithelial ovarian carcinoma. She underwent a partial resection of the nodes and histologic examination showed high-grade serous carcinoma. She received paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy and a partial response was initially observed on imaging studies; however, serum cancer antigen125 levels increased thereafter. She received radiation therapy to the paraaortic nodal disease with doses of 45 Gy and achieved a complete response. She was disease-free more than eight years after the detection of recurrence. In conclusion, radiation therapy may be an effective treatment option in patients with very late recurrence of epithelial ovarian carcinoma refractory to platinum/taxane chemotherapy.

Intensity modulated radiation therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer refractory to chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate local control, survival outcomes, and toxicity after intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for recurrent chemorefractory ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Between 2006 and 2014, 33 patients were treated with IMRT for recurrent ovarian cancer. Patients received a median of 3 chemotherapy regimens prior to IMRT (range, 1-12) with 11 (33%) undergoing concurrent therapy. Local control (LC), recurrence free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were calculated via Kaplan-Meier method. Toxicity was assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03. Impact of patient characteristics on outcomes was evaluated via Cox's proportional hazard model.

RESULTS

Median follow up was 23.7 months. Forty-nine sites were treated to a median dose of 5040cGy (range, 4500-7000). Nine (18%) of the 49 sites had in-field failures. Two year actuarial LC, RFS, and OS were 82%, 11%, and 63%, respectively. Seventeen patients had both a pre and post-treatment FDG-PET/CT; 6 (35%) had a complete metabolic response while 11 (65%) had a partial metabolic response. Acute ≥ grade 3 gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities occurred in 2 (6%) patients, late ≥ grade 3 GI toxicities occurred in 12 (36%), acute ≥ grade 3 hematological toxicities occurred in 5 (15%) and late ≥ grade 3 hematological toxicities occurred in 14 (42%).

CONCLUSIONS

IMRT for recurrent chemorefractory ovarian cancer is associated with excellent local control and limited radiation related toxicity. Future studies will be required to determine which subpopulation will benefit most from IMRT and whether alternative techniques such as stereotactic body radiotherapy may be feasible.

Treatment-interval associated effect of irradiation on locoregionally-relapsed ovarian cancer

Recurrent ovarian cancer following chemotherapy is usually incurable, particularly when the tumor acquires a drug resistance. The present study aimed to define the effect of irradiation on locoregional recurrences and the impact of the factors on the efficacy. The study retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 61 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who received irradiation following repeated chemotherapy between 1997 and 2006. A positive-irradiation response was designated as complete response, partial response, minor response or no change (NC). Due to the possible synergistic effect of chemotherapy and irradiation, and the cross-resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs and radiation, the focus was on the treatment break between chemotherapy and radiation, and patients were classified into 3 categories: Category I, ≤1 month; II, 1-6 months; and III, >6 months. The effect of irradiation was analyzed in association with histology, treatment break, recurrent site, irradiation dose and chemosensitivity. The post-irradiation survival time was analyzed by the irradiation response and treatment category. The median biological-effective dose was 60.0 Gy (range, 15.6-72.0 Gy). The sites irradiated included nodal recurrence (36), abdominal (six) and pelvic cavity (five cases). Histologically, serous adenocarcinoma was the most common type of the disease (23 cases) compared to mucinous (four), endometrioid (three), and clear-cell types (six cases). The median survival times were 4.5 months in the radiation responders (13 cases) and 15.3 months in the non-responders (37) (P=0.004). The positive-irradiation response was significantly associated with the treatment break (P=0.026) and chemosensitivity (P=0.007). In conclusion, irradiation for recurrent ovarian cancer produced an improved survival benefit when applied to chemoresponsive, locoregional-recurrent tumors immediately following chemotherapy.

Multi-modality organ-based approach to expected imaging findings, complications and recurrent tumour in the genitourinary tract after radiotherapy

PURPOSE

Radiotherapy (RT) is an integral component in the management of many abdominal and pelvic malignancies. Imaging follow-up in patients who have received RT is performed to assess for treatment response, evaluate for tumour recurrence and to diagnose complications related to treatment. The purpose of this pictorial review is to depict the expected imaging findings and potential complications following RT in the genitourinary (GU) tract using an organ-based approach and to review the diagnosis of locally recurrent tumour in the GU tract following RT.

CONCLUSIONS

Some GU malignancies, namely cervical and prostatic carcinoma, can be treated with radical RT with intent to cure. More frequently, the GU tract is indirectly treated as a result of RT to adjacent cancers. Expected imaging findings, RT-related complications and the diagnosis of recurrent tumour following RT in the GU tract often necessitate a multi-modality imaging approach, the incorporation of functional imaging techniques and an organ-based approach for diagnosis.

Involved-field radiation therapy for locoregionally recurrent ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of definitive involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) for selected patients with locoregionally-recurrent ovarian cancer.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed records of 102 epithelial ovarian cancer patients treated with definitive IFRT (≥45Gy). IFRT was directed to localized nodal (49%) and extranodal (51%) recurrences.

RESULTS

The median time from diagnosis to IFRT was 36 months (range, 1-311), and the median follow-up after IFRT was 37 months (range, 1-123). Patients received a median of three chemotherapy courses before IFRT (range, 0-9). Five-year overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates after IFRT were 40% and 24% respectively; the 5-year in-field disease control rate was 71%. Thirty-five patients (35%) had no evidence of disease at a median of 38 months after IFRT (range, 7-122), including 25 continuously without disease for a median of 61 months (range, 17-122) and 10 with salvage treatment following disease recurrence, disease-free for a median of 39 months after salvage treatment (range, 7-92). Eight clear cell carcinoma patients had higher 5-year OS (88% versus 37%; p=0.05) and PFS (75% versus 20%; p=0.01) rates than other patients. Patients sensitive to initial platinum chemotherapy had a higher 5-year OS rate than platinum-resistant patients (43% versus 27%, p=0.03). Patients who required chemotherapy for recurrence after IFRT often benefitted from longer chemotherapy-free intervals after than before IFRT.

CONCLUSIONS

Definitive IFRT can yield excellent local control, protracted disease-free intervals, and even cures in carefully selected patients. RT should be considered a tool in the curative management of locoregionally-recurrent ovarian cancer.

Autophagy inhibition plays the synergetic killing roles with radiation in the multi-drug resistant SKVCR ovarian cancer cells

PURPOSE

Autophagy has attracted attentions as a novel mechanism for tumor development. In this study Human ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 and multidrug-resistant phenotype SKVCR cells were used and the roles of autophagy in radiation-induced cell death were analyzed.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Cell viability was examined by colony formation and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 3MA and ZVAD were used to block autophagy and apoptosis, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect mRNA level and Western blot was used to detect protein expression, monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining and flow cytometery were used for autophagy, apoptosis and cell cycle dynamics, respectively.

RESULTS

(1) The radiosensitivity exhibited differently in SKOV3 and SKVCR cells (SKOV3: D0=3.37, SKVCR: D0= 4.18); compared with SKOV3 the constitutive expression of MAPLC3 in SKVCR was higher, but no change of Caspase-3 and cleaved Caspase-3. (2) The ionizing radiation (IR)- induced apoptosis and autophagy were significant in both cells (P<0.05); inhibition of apoptosis with ZVAD showed no impact on survival of SKOV3 and SKVCR cells after radiation, while inhibition of autophagy significantly decreased viability in SKVCR cells, for SKVO3 cells only low level of radiation (2 Gy and 4 Gy) could decrease the viability(P<0.05). (3) ZVAD inhibited apoptosis and autophagy in both cells, 3MA inhibit apoptosis in SKOV3, and promote apoptosis in SKVCR, together with inhibition of autophagy. (4) G2/M arrest was induced by radiation in both cells; the accumulation of G2/M was more significant in SKOV3, 3MA attenuated the radiation-induced S phase delay in SKVCR.

CONCLUSION

IR-induced autophagy provides a self-protective mechanism against radiotherapy in SKVCR cells, the use of autophagy inhibitor, 3MA, increases the killing effects of radiation by inhibiting autophagy and radiation- induced S phase delay, also by the increase of apoptosis, which suggests a better therapeutic strategy in drug- resistant SKVCR ovarian cancer cells.

Histotype predicts the curative potential of radiotherapy: the example of ovarian cancers

BACKGROUND

To explore the influence of ovarian cancer histotype on the effectiveness of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT).

METHODS

A review of a population-based experience included all referred women with no reported macroscopic residuum following primary surgery who underwent adjuvant platin-based chemotherapy (CT), with or without sequential RT, and for whom it was possible to assign histotype according to the contemporary criteria.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and three subjects were eligible, of these 351 received RT. For those with apparent stage I and II tumors, the cohort with clear cell (C), endometrioid (E), and mucinous (M) disease who additionally received RT exhibited a 40% reduction in disease-specific mortality and a 43% reduction in overall mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The curability of those with stage I and II C-, E-, and M-type ovarian carcinomas was enhanced by RT-containing adjuvant therapy. This benefit did not extend to those with stage III or serous tumors. These findings necessitate reassessments of the role of RT and of the nonselective surgical and CT approaches that have characterized ovarian cancer care.

Bulky lymph node resection in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: impact of surgery

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of systematic lymphadenectomy, feasibility, complications rate, and outcome in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients with recurrent bulky lymph node disease. A prospective observational study of EOC patients with pelvic/aortic lymph node relapse was conducted between January 1995 and June 2005. After a clinical and laparoscopic staging, secondary cytoreduction, including systematic lymphadenectomy, were performed. The eligibility criteria were as follows: disease-free interval ≥6 months, radiographic finding suggestive of bulky lymph node recurrence, and patients' consent to be treated with chemotherapy. Forty-eight EOC patients with lymph node relapse were recruited. Twenty-nine patients were amenable to cytoreductive surgery. Postoperatively, all patients received adjuvant treatment. The median numbers of resected aortic and pelvic nodes were 15 (2–32) and 17 (8–47), respectively. The median numbers of resected aortic and pelvic positive lymph nodes were 4 (1–18) and 3 (1–17), respectively. The mean size of bulky nodes was 3.3 cm. Four patients (14%) experienced one severe complication. No treatment-related deaths were observed. After a median follow-up of 26 months, among cytoreduced patients, 18 women were alive with no evidence of disease, nine were alive with disease. Among the 11 patients not amenable to surgery, five women were alive with persistent disease, six patients died of disease, at a median follow-up of 18 months. Estimated 5-year overall survival and disease-free interval for operated women were 87% and 31%, respectively. In conclusion, patients with bulky lymph node relapse can benefit from systematic lymphadenectomy in terms of survival. The procedure is feasible with an acceptable morbidity rate

Effective palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic recurrent or residual ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy (RT) for symptomatic recurrent or residual ovarian cancer.

METHODS

A review was conducted on patients (pts) treated with palliative RT for symptomatic ovarian cancer at The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre between 1990 and 2003. Patient demographics, tumor factors, treatment variables, and clinical outcome were entered into a database. Symptom response was defined as complete (CR), partial (PR), or none.

RESULTS

62 courses of RT were delivered to 53 pts. The symptoms treated were: bleeding (40%), pain (37%), and "others" (23%). The most common dose fractionation scheme was 30 Gy in 10 fractions (f) (range: 5 Gy/1 f to 52.5 Gy/20 f). The overall response rate was 100%, with 68% achieving a CR. The CR rates were 88, 65, and 36% for the symptoms of bleeding, pain, and "others", respectively (P = 0.003). The median duration of response was 4.8 months (range: 1-71 months). In multivariate analysis, the only factors that were found to be significant positive predictors of symptom control were: the symptom bleeding (P = 0.015) and stage III/IV disease at presentation (P = 0.01). The most commonly reported toxicities were grades 1 and 2 nausea/vomiting and diarrhea. There were no grade 3/4 toxicities reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy is highly effective in palliating symptomatic ovarian cancer. Excellent results are achieved for patients presenting with bleeding or pain. Symptomatic patients should be strongly considered for palliative radiotherapy. Higher doses of radiotherapy should be considered for those with symptoms other than bleeding or pain and those with longer life expectancies.