Top advances of the year: Uterine cancer

Endometrial cancer continues to be the only gynecologic malignancy with a rising incidence and mortality, with both regional and global implications. Combination carboplatin and paclitaxel has been the recognized chemotherapy backbone for the treatment of advanced-stage or recurrent disease, with modest clinical outcomes. Over the last year, significant advances were achieved in improving oncologic outcomes by capitalizing on the molecular characterization of this heterogenous disease. These advances include incorporation of immunotherapy, identification of effective hormonal approaches, the evolution of antibody drug conjugates, and utilization of alternate targeted therapies. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: The molecular characterization of endometrial cancer has been critical in informing novel treatment strategies. Over the past year, significant gains have been made via the incorporation of immunotherapy, hormonal combinations as well as antibody drug conjugates.

Targeted Therapies, Biologics, and Immunotherapy in the Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Settings: Perioperative Risks

Cancer therapeutics has been revolutionized by the introduction of molecularly targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The paradigm of neoadjuvant therapy is commonly employed across multiple solid tumors, exhibiting significant clinical benefit as exemplified with ICIs in melanoma and non-small-cell lung cancer. However, neoadjuvant therapy can be associated with treatment-related adverse events. As the incorporation of these novel therapies in the preoperative space expands, it is crucial for surgical oncologists to understand the potential perioperative implications of these treatments. This article focuses on surgical considerations tied to these treatments, highlighting potential drug-surgery interactions and complications.

Viewing the immune checkpoint VISTA: landscape and outcomes across cancers

BACKGROUND

Optimizing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy may require identification of co-targetable checkpoint pathways via immune profiling. Herein, we analyzed the transcriptomic expression and clinical correlates of V-domain immunoglobulin suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA), a promising targetable checkpoint.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

RNA sequencing was carried out on 514 tissues reflecting diverse advanced/metastatic cancers. Expression of eight immune checkpoint markers [lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3), tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 14 (TNFRSF14), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), programmed death-ligand 2 (PD-L2), B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4)], in addition to VISTA, was analyzed, along with clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

High VISTA RNA expression was observed in 32% of tumors (66/514) and was the most common highly expressed checkpoint among the nine assessed. High VISTA expression was independently correlated with high BTLA, TIM-3, and TNFRSF14, and with a diagnosis of pancreatic, small intestine, and stomach cancer. VISTA transcript levels did not correlate with overall survival (OS) from metastatic/advanced disease in the pan-cancer cohort or with immunotherapy outcome (progression-free survival and OS from the start of ICI) in 217 ICI-treated patients. However, in ICI-treated pancreatic cancer patients (n = 16), median OS was significantly shorter (from immunotherapy initiation) for the high- versus not-high-VISTA groups (0.28 versus 1.21 years) (P = 0.047); in contrast, VISTA levels were not correlated with OS in 36 pancreatic cancer patients who did not receive ICI.

CONCLUSION

High VISTA expression correlates with high BTLA, TIM-3, and TNFRSF14 checkpoint-related molecules and with poorer post-immunotherapy survival in pancreatic cancer, consistent with prior literature indicating that VISTA is prominently expressed on CD68+ macrophages in pancreatic cancers and requiring validation in larger prospective studies. Immunomic analysis may be important for individualized precision immunotherapy.

Adding immunotherapy to first-line treatment of advanced and metastatic endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Immunotherapy has transformed the endometrial cancer treatment landscape, particularly for those exhibiting mismatch repair deficiency [MMRd/microsatellite instability-hypermutated (MSI-H)]. A growing body of evidence supports the integration of immunotherapy with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment strategy. Recently, findings from ongoing trials such as RUBY (NCT03981796), NRG-GY018 (NCT03914612), AtTEnd (NCT03603184), and DUO-E (NCT04269200) have been disclosed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This paper constitutes a review and meta-analysis of phase III trials investigating the role of immunotherapy in the first-line setting for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

RESULTS

The pooled data from 2320 patients across these trials substantiate the adoption of chemotherapy alongside immunotherapy, revealing a significant improvement in progression-free survival compared to chemotherapy alone [hazard ratio (HR) 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.62-0.79] across all patient groups. Progression-free survival benefits are more pronounced in MMRd/MSI-H tumors (n = 563; HR 0.33, 95% CI 0.23-0.43). This benefit, albeit less robust, persists in the MMR-proficient/microsatellite stable group (n = 1757; HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.60-0.91). Pooled data further indicate that chemotherapy plus immunotherapy enhances overall survival compared to chemotherapy alone in all patients (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63-0.89). However, overall survival data maturity remains low.

CONCLUSIONS

The incorporation of immunotherapy into the initial treatment for advanced and metastatic endometrial cancer brings about a substantial improvement in oncologic outcomes, especially within the MMRd/MSI-H subset. This specific subgroup is currently a focal point of investigation for evaluating the potential of chemotherapy-free regimens. Ongoing exploratory analyses aim to identify non-responding patients eligible for inclusion in clinical trials.

Recent Therapeutic Advances in Gynecologic Oncology: A Review

Gynecologic malignancies have high incidence rates both nationally and internationally, and cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers account for high mortality rates worldwide. Significant research is ongoing to develop targeted therapies to address unmet needs in the field and improve patient outcomes. As tumors mutate and progress through traditional lines of treatment, new therapies must be developed to overcome resistance and target cancer-specific receptors and mutations. Recent advances in the development of immunotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates have resulted in compelling and clinically meaningful results in cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. In the last decade, several immunotherapy agents have received FDA approval or NCCN guideline recommendation for the treatment of gynecologic malignancies, including dostarlimab for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer and pembrolizumab for advanced or recurrent cervical and endometrial cancers. Several other immunotherapeutic agents are under active investigation. Development of antibody-drug conjugates including tisotumab vedotin in cervical cancer, mirvetuximab soravtansine in ovarian cancer, and trastuzumab deruxtecan in multiple gynecologic cancers has translated into exciting efficacy signals, prompting full drug approvals and additional investigation. This article aims to review recent novel advances in targeted treatments for gynecologic malignancies, highlighting the trials and data underlying these novel interventions.

Cancer-Immunity Marker RNA Expression Levels across Gynecologic Cancers: Implications for Immunotherapy

Our objective was to characterize cancer-immunity marker expression in gynecologic cancers and compare immune landscapes between gynecologic tumor subtypes and with nongynecologic solid tumors. RNA expression levels of 51 cancer-immunity markers were analyzed in patients with gynecologic cancers versus nongynecologic cancers, and normalized to a reference population of 735 control cancers, ranked from 0 to 100, and categorized as low (0-24), moderate (25-74), or high (75-100) percentile rank. Of the 72 patients studied, 43 (60%) had ovarian, 24 (33%) uterine, and 5 (7%) cervical cancer. No two immune profiles were identical according to expression rank (0-100) or rank level (low, moderate, or high). Patients with cervical cancer had significantly higher expression level ranks of immune activating, proinflammatory, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte markers, and checkpoints than patients with uterine or ovarian cancer (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). However, there were no significant differences in immune marker expression between uterine and ovarian cancers. Tumors with PD-L1 tumor proportional score (TPS) ≥1% versus 0% had significantly higher expression levels of proinflammatory markers (58 vs. 49%, P = 0.0004). Compared to patients with nongynecologic cancers, more patients with gynecologic cancers express high levels of IDO-1 (44 vs. 13%, P < 0.001), LAG3 (35 vs. 21%, P = 0.008), and IL10 (31 vs. 15%, P = 0.002.) Patients with gynecologic cancers have complex and heterogeneous immune landscapes that are distinct from patient to patient and from other solid tumors. High levels of IDO1 and LAG3 suggest that clinical trials with IDO1 inhibitors or LAG3 inhibitors, respectively, may be warranted in gynecologic cancers.

Overcoming the challenges of drug development in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

The definition of "platinum-resistant ovarian cancer" has evolved; it now also reflects cancers for which platinum treatment is no longer an option. Standard of care for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer is single-agent, non-platinum chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab, which produces modest response rates, with the greatest benefits achieved using weekly paclitaxel. Several recent phase 3 trials of pretreated patients with prior bevacizumab exposure failed to meet their primary efficacy endpoints, highlighting the challenge in improving clinical outcomes among these patients. Combination treatment with antiangiogenics has improved outcomes, whereas combination strategies with immune checkpoint inhibitors have yielded modest results. Despite extensive translational research, there has been a lack of reliable and established biomarkers that predict treatment response in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Additionally, in the platinum-resistant setting, implications for the time between the penultimate dose of platinum therapy and platinum retreatment remain an area of debate. Addressing the unmet need for an effective treatment in the platinum-resistant setting requires thoughtful clinical trial design based on a growing understanding of the disease. Recent cancer drug approvals highlight the value of incorporating molecular phenotypes to better define patients who are more likely to respond to novel therapies. Clinical trials designed per the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup recommendations-which advocate against relying solely upon the platinum-free interval-will help advance our understanding of recurrent ovarian cancer response where platinum rechallenge in the platinum-resistant setting may be considered. The inclusion of biomarkers in clinical trials will improve patient stratification and potentially demonstrate correlations with biomarker expression and duration of response. With the efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates shown for the treatment of some solid and hematologic cancers, current trials are evaluating the use of various novel conjugates in the setting of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Emerging novel treatments coupled with combination trials and biomarker explorations offer encouraging results for potential strategies to improve response rates and prolong progression-free survival in this population with high unmet need. This review outlines existing data from contemporary clinical trials of patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and suggests historical synthetic benchmarks for non-randomized trials.

Pembrolizumab plus Chemotherapy in Advanced Endometrial Cancer

BACKGROUND

Standard first-line chemotherapy for endometrial cancer is paclitaxel plus carboplatin. The benefit of adding pembrolizumab to chemotherapy remains unclear.

METHODS

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, phase 3 trial, we assigned 816 patients with measurable disease (stage III or IVA) or stage IVB or recurrent endometrial cancer in a 1:1 ratio to receive pembrolizumab or placebo along with combination therapy with paclitaxel plus carboplatin. The administration of pembrolizumab or placebo was planned in 6 cycles every 3 weeks, followed by up to 14 maintenance cycles every 6 weeks. The patients were stratified into two cohorts according to whether they had mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) or mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) disease. Previous adjuvant chemotherapy was permitted if the treatment-free interval was at least 12 months. The primary outcome was progression-free survival in the two cohorts. Interim analyses were scheduled to be triggered after the occurrence of at least 84 events of death or progression in the dMMR cohort and at least 196 events in the pMMR cohort.

RESULTS

In the 12-month analysis, Kaplan-Meier estimates of progression-free survival in the dMMR cohort were 74% in the pembrolizumab group and 38% in the placebo group (hazard ratio for progression or death, 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.19 to 0.48; P<0.001), a 70% difference in relative risk. In the pMMR cohort, median progression-free survival was 13.1 months with pembrolizumab and 8.7 months with placebo (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.71; P<0.001). Adverse events were as expected for pembrolizumab and combination chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer, the addition of pembrolizumab to standard chemotherapy resulted in significantly longer progression-free survival than with chemotherapy alone. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute and others; NRG-GY018 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03914612.).

Advances in Ovarian Cancer Care and Unmet Treatment Needs for Patients With Platinum Resistance: A Narrative Review

Importance

Platinum-based chemotherapy has been the standard of care for ovarian cancer for the past 3 decades. Although most patients respond to platinum-based treatment, emergence of platinum resistance in recurrent ovarian cancer is inevitable during the disease course. Outcomes for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer are poor, and options remain limited, highlighting a substantial unmet need for new treatment options.

Observations

This review summarizes the current and evolving treatment landscape for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer with a focus on the development of novel compounds. Biologic and targeted therapies such as bevacizumab and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors-originally approved in the platinum-resistant setting but since withdrawn-are now used in the up-front or platinum-sensitive setting, prolonging the duration of platinum sensitivity and delaying the use of nonplatinum options. The greater use of maintenance therapy and the emphasis on using platinum beyond first-line treatment has most likely been associated with a greater number of lines of platinum therapy before a patient is designated as having platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. In this contemporary setting, recent trials in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer have mostly had negative outcomes, with none having a clinically significant effect on progression-free or overall survival since the approval of bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy. Nonetheless, a multitude of new therapies are under evaluation; preliminary results are encouraging. A focus on biomarker-directed treatment and patient selection may provide greater success in identifying novel therapies for treating platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Conclusions and Relevance

Although many clinical trials in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer have had negative outcomes, these failures provide insights into how clinical trial design, biomarker-directed therapy, and patient selection could facilitate future successes in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer treatment.

Mismatch repair deficiency, next-generation sequencing-based microsatellite instability, and tumor mutational burden as predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitor effectiveness in frontline treatment of advanced stage endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

Molecular profiling is developing to inform treatment in endometrial cancer. Using real world evidence, we sought to evaluate frontline immune checkpoint inhibitor vs chemotherapy effectiveness in advanced endometrial cancer, stratified by Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB) ≥10 mut/MB and microsatellite instability (MSI).

METHODS

Patients with advanced endometrial cancer in the US-based de-identified Flatiron Health-Foundation Medicine Clinico-Genomic Database were included. Data originated from patients treated between January 2011- March 2022 at 280 US clinics. Next-generation sequencing assays were performed via FoundationOne or FoundationOneCDx. Longitudinal clinical data were derived from electronic health records. Immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment included pembrolizumab, dostarlimab, and nivolumab monotherapies. Time to next treatment, time to treatment discontinuation, and overall survival were assessed with the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard models with adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for known prognostic factors. We used the Likelihood ratio test to compare biomarker performance.

RESULTS

A total of 343 patients received chemotherapy and 28 received immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy as frontline treatment. Patients who received monotherapy were more likely to be stage III at diagnosis (immune checkpoint inhibitor: 54.6% vs chemotherapy: 15.0%; p<0.001) and more likely to test MSI-high via next-generation sequencing (immune checkpoint inhibitor: 53.6% vs chemotherapy: 19.2%; p<0.001). In MSI-high cancers, single-agent immune checkpoint inhibitor had a more favorable time to next treatment (aHR: 0.18, p=0.001) and overall survival (aHR 0.29, p=0.045). Additional analyses on 70 unique tumor specimens revealed mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) via immunohistochemistry and MSI-high via next-generation sequencing concordance (91%), with nominal improvement of MSI over dMMR to predict time to treatment discontinuation (p=0.030), time to next treatment (p=0.032), and overall survival (p=0.22). MSI status was concordant with tumor mutational burden ≥10 in 94.3% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Immune checkpoint inhibitors may have improved efficacy over chemotherapy in frontline treatment for advanced endometrial cancer defined by MSI-high using next-generation sequencing as a nominally better predictor of outcomes than dMMR with immunohistochemistry. This provides the biologic rationale of active phase III trials.

Immunotherapy treatment landscape for patients with endometrial cancer: current evidence and future opportunities

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States, with a rising incidence and mortality. Traditionally, systemic treatment has included combination platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. More recently, the identification of molecular subtypes has transformed the treatment paradigms for patients with endometrial cancer, especially in the immunotherapeutic arena. Given the recent advancements in immune oncology approaches, we review regimens approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as well as the interim results of ongoing phase 3 clinical trials.

Pan-cancer molecular tumor board experience with biomarker-driven precision immunotherapy

Despite remarkable responses to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in some advanced cancers, most patients do not benefit, perhaps due to the complexity of tumor/immune/genome interactions. We implemented a multidisciplinary Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) that reviewed multi-omic cancer characteristics to develop N-of-One therapies for patients in the pan-cancer, advanced, refractory setting. This study evaluates the experience of 80 patients who were presented to the MTB and received a treatment regimen that included ICB. Overall, 60/80 patients (75%) who received ICB following MTB discussion had a high degree of matching between tumor molecular characteristics, including ICB biomarkers (reflected by a high Matching Score (≥50%)) and therapy administered. Patients with high versus low Matching Score experienced significantly longer median progression-free survival (6.4 vs. 3.0 months; p = 0.011) and median overall survival (15.3 vs. 4.7 months; p = 0.014) and higher clinical benefit rates (stable disease ≥6 months/partial response/complete response) (53% vs. 21%, p = 0.019). Although most patients (52/80 (65%)) received a personalized combination therapy (e.g., targeted, hormonal, chemotherapy, or a second immunotherapy agent), administering >1 drug was not associated with outcome. Only degree of matching and age, but no other variables, including individual biomarkers (e.g., microsatellite status, tumor mutational burden, or PD-L1 status), were independently correlated with outcome. In the pan-cancer setting, the MTB facilitated a precision medicine strategy to match therapeutic regimens that included ICB alone or combined with matched targeted drugs to patients with advanced malignancy, which was associated with improved clinical outcomes.

Real-World Data From a Molecular Tumor Board: Improved Outcomes in Breast and Gynecologic Cancers Patients With Precision Medicine

PURPOSE

Next-generation sequencing is increasingly used in gynecologic and breast cancers. Multidisciplinary Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) may guide matched therapy; however, outcome data are limited. We evaluate the effect of the degree of matching of tumors to treatment as well as compliance to MTB recommendations on outcomes.

METHODS

Overall, 164 patients with consecutive gynecologic and breast cancers presented at MTB were assessed for clinicopathologic data, next-generation sequencing results, MTB recommendations, therapy received, and outcomes. Matching score (MS), defined as percentage of alterations targeted by treatment over total pathogenic alterations, and compliance to MTB recommendations were analyzed in context of oncologic outcomes.

RESULTS

Altogether, 113 women were evaluable for treatment after MTB; 54% received matched therapy. Patients with MS ≥ 40% had higher overall response rate (30.8% v 7.1%; P = .001), progression-free survival (PFS; hazard ratio [HR] 0.51; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.85; P = .002), and a trend toward improved overall survival (HR 0.64; 95% CI, 0.34 to 1.25; P = .082) in univariate analysis. The PFS advantage remained significant in multivariate analysis (HR 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3 to 0.8; P = .006). Higher MTB recommendation compliance was significantly associated with improved median PFS (9.0 months for complete; 6.0 months for partial; 4.0 months for no compliance; P = .004) and overall survival (17.1 months complete; 17.8 months partial; 10.8 months none; P = .046). Completely MTB-compliant patients had higher MS (P < .001). In multivariate analysis comparing all versus none MTB compliance, overall response (HR 9.5; 95% CI, 2.6 to 35.0; P = .001) and clinical benefit (HR 8.8; 95% CI, 2.4 to 33.2; P = .001) rates were significantly improved with higher compliance.

CONCLUSION

Compliance to MTB recommendations resulted in higher degrees of matched therapy and correlates with improved outcomes in patients with gynecologic and breast cancers.

Placenta Accreta Spectrum Treatment With Intraoperative Multivessel Embolization: the PASTIME protocol

BACKGROUND

Multidisciplinary care of placenta accreta spectrum cases improves pregnancy outcomes, but the specific components of such a multidisciplinary collaboration varies between institutions. As experience with placenta accreta spectrum increases, it is crucial to assess new surgical techniques and protocols to help improve maternal outcomes and to advocate for hospital resources.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess a novel multidisciplinary protocol for the treatment of placenta accreta spectrum that comprises cesarean delivery, multivessel uterine embolization, and hysterectomy in a single procedure within a hybrid operative suite.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a matched prepost study of placenta accreta spectrum cases managed before (2010-2017) and after implementation of the Placenta Accreta Spectrum Treatment With Intraoperative Multivessel Embolization protocol (2018-2021) at a tertiary medical center. Historical cases were managed with internal iliac artery balloon placement in selected cases with the decision to inflate the balloons intraoperatively at the discretion of the primary surgeon. Intraoperative Embolization cases were compared with historical cases in a 1:2 ratio matched on the basis of placenta accreta spectrum severity and surgical urgency. The primary outcome was a requirement for transfusion with packed red blood cells. Secondary outcomes included estimated surgical blood loss, operative and postoperative complications, procedural time, length of stay, and neonatal outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 15 Placenta Accreta Spectrum Treatment With Intraoperative Multivessel Embolization cases and 30 matched historical cases were included in the analysis. There were no demographic differences noted between the groups. A median (interquartile range) of 0 units (0-2 units) of packed red blood cells were transfused in the Intraoperative Embolization group compared with 2 units (0-4.5 units) in the historical group (P=.045); 5 of 15 (33.3%) Intraoperative Embolization cases required blood transfusions compared with 19 of 30 (63.3%) cases in the historical group (P=.11). The estimated blood loss was significantly less in the Intraoperative Embolization group with a median (interquartile range) of 750 mL (450-1050 mL) compared with 1750 mL (1050-2500 mL) in the historical group (P=.003). There were no cases requiring massive transfusion (≥10 red blood cell units in 24 hours) in the Intraoperative Embolization group compared with 5 of 30 (16.7%) cases in the historical group (P=.15). There were no intraoperative deaths from hemorrhagic shock using the Intraoperative Embolization protocol, whereas this occurred in 2 of the historical cases. The mean duration of the interventional radiology procedure was longer in the Intraoperative Embolization group (67.8 vs 34.1 minutes; P=.002). Intensive care unit admission and postpartum length of stay were similar, and surgical and postoperative complications were not significantly different between the groups. The gestational age and neonatal birthweights were similar; however, the neonatal length of stay was longer in the Intraoperative Embolization group (median duration, 32 days vs 15 days; P=.02) with a trend toward low Apgar scores. Incidence of arterial umbilical cord blood pH <7.2 and respiratory distress syndrome and intubation rates were not statistically different between the groups.

CONCLUSION

A multidisciplinary pathway including a single-surgery protocol with multivessel uterine embolization is associated with a decrease in blood transfusion requirements and estimated blood loss with no increase in operative complications. The Placenta Accreta Spectrum Treatment With Intraoperative Multivessel Embolization protocol provides a definitive surgical method that warrants consideration by other centers specializing in placenta accreta spectrum treatment.

ATHENA (GOG-3020/ENGOT-ov45): a randomized, phase III trial to evaluate rucaparib as monotherapy (ATHENA-MONO) and rucaparib in combination with nivolumab (ATHENA-COMBO) as maintenance treatment following frontline platinum-based chemotherapy in ovarian cancer

Background

The optimal treatment strategy for women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer has yet to be determined. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have demonstrated substantial improvement in progression-free survival as monotherapy maintenance treatment in the frontline setting versus active surveillance. Furthermore, preclinical and early clinical studies have shown that PARP inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors have synergistic antitumor activity and may provide an additional therapeutic option for patients in this population.

Primary Objectives

In women with newly diagnosed ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancer, we wish to assess the efficacy of frontline maintenance treatment with the PARP inhibitor rucaparib versus placebo following response to platinum-based chemotherapy (ATHENA–MONO), and to assess the combination of rucaparib plus nivolumab (a programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1)–blocking monoclonal antibody) versus rucaparib alone (ATHENA–COMBO).

Study Hypothesis

(1) Maintenance therapy with rucaparib monotherapy may extend progression-free survival following standard treatment for ovarian cancer in the frontline setting. (2) The combination of nivolumab plus rucaparib may extend progression-free survival following standard treatment for ovarian cancer in the frontline setting compared with rucaparib alone.

Trial Design

ATHENA is an international, randomized, double-blind, phase III trial consisting of two independent comparisons (ATHENA–MONO and ATHENA–COMBO) in patients with newly diagnosed platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. Patients are randomized 4:4:1:1 to the following: oral rucaparib+ intravenous nivolumab (arm A); oral rucaparib + intravenous placebo (arm B); oral placebo+ intravenous nivolumab (arm C); and oral placebo + intravenous placebo (arm D). The starting dose of rucaparib is 600 mg orally twice a day and nivolumab 480 mg intravenously every 4 weeks. ATHENA–MONO compares arm B with arm D to evaluate rucaparib monotherapy versus placebo, and ATHENA–COMBO evaluates arm A versus arm B to investigate the effects of rucaparib and nivolumab in combination versus rucaparib monotherapy. ATHENA–MONO and ATHENA–COMBO share a common treatment arm (arm B) but each comparison is independently powered.

Major Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Patients ≥18 years of age with newly diagnosed advanced, high-grade epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer who have achieved a response after completion of cytoreductive surgery and initial platinum-based chemotherapy are enrolled. No other prior treatment for ovarian cancer, other than the frontline platinum regimen, is permitted.

Primary Endpoint

The primary endpoint is investigator-assessed progression-free survival by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1.

Sample Size

Approximately 1000 patients have been enrolled and randomized.

Estimated Dates for Completing Accrual and Presenting Results

The trial completed accrual in 2020. While dependent on event rates, primary results of ATHENA–MONO are anticipated in early 2022 and results of ATHENA–COMBO are anticipated to mature at a later date.

Trial Registration

This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03522246).

Practice patterns and survival in FIGO 2009 stage 3B endometrial cancer

OBJECTIVE

To describe the practice patterns and outcomes of patients with stage 3B endometrial cancer.

METHODS

We queried the National Cancer Database for all surgically staged, stage 3 patients between 2012 and 2016. Patients who received any pre-operative therapy were excluded. Demographics, tumor factors, and adjuvant therapy for the stage 3 substages were compared. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with adjuvant therapy. Kaplan Meier curves were generated and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards Model was used to adjust for prognostic factors. Findings with p < 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

Of 7363 patients with stage 3 disease, 478 (6%) had stage 3B; 1732 (23%) had stage 3A, 3457 (48%) had stage 3C1, and 1696 (23%) had stage 3C2 disease. Post-surgical treatment consisted of: combined chemotherapy (CT) and radiation (RT) (49%), CT alone (28%), RT alone (9%), 14% received no postoperative therapy. Among all stage 3 substages, patients with stage 3B disease were the least likely to receive any CT, and the most likely to receive RT alone. After adjusting for known prognostic factors, patients with stage 3A (Hazard ratio (HR) of death = 0.64) and 3C1 (HR of death = 0.79) disease had significantly worse overall survival compared to stage 3B; survival was not demonstrably different from patients with stage 3C2 disease. Patients with stage 3B disease who received CT + RT had the best overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Survival of patients with stage 3B disease is similar to that of patients with para-aortic node metastases and is inferior to all others with stage 3 endometrial cancer. Less frequent CT and a higher rate of post-operative RT alone, describes a distinct practice from that seen in other stage 3 patients.

De-implementation and substitution of clinical care processes: stakeholder perspectives on the transition to primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for cervical cancer screening

Background

New cervical cancer screening guidelines recommend primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for women age 30–65 years. Healthcare organizations are preparing to de-implement the previous recommended strategies of Pap testing or co-testing (Pap plus HPV test) and substitute primary HPV testing. However, there may be significant challenges to the replacement of this entrenched clinical practice, even with an evidence-based substitution. We sought to identify stakeholder-perceived barriers and facilitators to this substitution within a large healthcare system, Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with clinician, administrative, and patient stakeholders regarding (a) acceptability and feasibility of the planned substitution; (b) perceptions of barriers and facilitators, with an emphasis on those related to the de-implementation/implementation cycle of substitution; and (c) perceived readiness to change. Our interview guide was informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Using a team coding approach, we developed an initial coding structure refined during iterative analysis; the data were subsequently organized thematically into domains, key themes, and sub-themes using thematic analysis, followed by framework analysis informed by CFIR.

Results

We conducted 23 interviews: 5 patient and 18 clinical/administrative. Clinicians perceived that patients feel more tests equals better care, and clinicians and patients expressed fear of missed cancers (“…it’ll be more challenging convincing the patient that only one test is…good enough to detect cancer.”). Patients perceived practice changes resulting in “less care” are driven by the desire to cut costs. In contrast, clinicians/administrators viewed changing from two tests to one as acceptable and a workflow efficiency (“…It’s very easy and half the work.”). Stakeholder-recommended strategies included focusing on the increased efficacy of primary HPV testing and developing clinician talking points incorporating national guidelines to assuage “cost-cutting” fears.

Conclusions

Substitution to replace an entrenched clinical practice is complex. Leveraging available facilitators is key to ease the process for clinical and administrative stakeholders—e.g., emphasizing the efficiency of going from two tests to one. Identifying and addressing clinician and patient fears regarding cost-cutting and perceived poorer quality of care is critical for substitution. Multicomponent and multilevel strategies for engagement and education will be required.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, #NCT04371887

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43058-021-00211-z.

Trends and geographic variation in women's representation as principal investigators (PI) in phase 3 gynecologic oncology clinical trials

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the representation of women as principal investigators (PI) in phase 3, gynecologic oncology clinical trials.

METHODS

ClinicalTrials.gov was queried for all phase 3 clinical trials with start dates between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2020 using the search terms: "ovarian cancer", "endometrial cancer", and "cervical cancer". Trial characteristics were abstracted from the website. Gender of the PI was assessed by name, image on institutional website or by querying the trial coordinator. Trials were considered to have women's representation if women were the sole PI or among multiple co-PIs. Chi-square tests and relative risks were used to compare proportions across groups. Linear regression was used to assess trends over time.

RESULTS

200 unique clinical trials were included in this analysis, of which women were represented as PI in 76 (38%). Women were more likely to be a PI of trials funded by multiple sites than a single entity (RR = 1.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.25, 2.61, p = 0.01), registered outside of Asia than those in Asia (RR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.11, 2.88, p = 0.02), and trials with multiple co-PIs than with one PI (RR = 1.78 (95% CI 1.18, 2.67), p = 0.01). Overall, women's representation as a PI increased by 3% annually (by year of registration, R² = 0.61, p = 0.01). This increase was most evident in trials registered in multiple continents and Europe (both 4% annually).

CONCLUSIONS

Women's representation as PIs in clinical trials has increased in the last decade. Trials funded by multiple sources outside of Asia have the highest proportion of PIs who are women. These trends may represent ongoing leadership and mentorship opportunities for women gynecologic oncologists.

Survey of trends in authorship assignment in gynecologic oncology: Keeping score and playing fair

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30.6% of responding gynecologic oncologists reported assignment of authorship that did not meet ICMJE criteria.

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The majority reported that ICMJE criteria were generalizable, helpful and considered non-adherence as scientific misconduct.

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Fellows and faculty in their first five year of practice were more likely not adhere to ICMJE authorship criteria.

Authorship confers credit to those responsible for a publication. In 1985, the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors criteria were founded to standardize authorship assignment. We sought to investigate practices and values in authorship assignment in Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) members. An anonymous online survey was distributed to SGO members from 09/2018–10/2018. Three multivariable logistic regression models were fit to predict ICJME authorship acceptance, assignment and denial. Of 1111 members surveyed, 266 responses were received (23.9%); 30.6% reported prior authorship assignment that did not meet ICMJE criteria, and 18.8% (n = 50) reported a history of accepting authorship not meeting ICJME criteria. Reasons for non-adherence included: inclusion of the author’s patients in the study (59.3%), resumé building (45.7%), and networking for career advancement (22.2%). The majority responded that ICJME criteria were generalizable (91.3%), helpful (83.8%), and considered non-adherence as scientific misconduct (66.0%). On multivariable analysis, practice duration of 5–20 years (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.16, 0.99, p < 0.05) or > 20 years (HR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08, 0.59, p < 0.05) were significant predictors for adherence with ICMJE authorship assignment compared to fellows and those in practice < 5 years. Similarly, practice duration of 5–20 years (HR 10.0, 95% CI 2.0, 49.2, p < 0.05) or > 20 years (HR 25.9, 95% CI 1.06, 3.9, p < 0.05) were significant predictors for denial of authorship assignment compared to fellows and those in practice < 5 years. While the majority of respondents report that ICJME criteria are helpful, adherence to these criteria is a concern, especially in fellows and early-career faculty.

Immunotherapy as a treatment strategy in advanced stage and recurrent endometrial cancer: review of current phase III immunotherapy clinical trials

The treatment of advanced stage, metastatic or recurrent endometrial cancer remains a clinically difficult scenario. Although combination carboplatin and paclitaxel is an effective standard-of-care regimen, alternate strategies have shown promise, particularly in biomarker select populations. In an effort to improve oncologic outcomes, investigators are exploring novel immunotherapy combinations. In this review, we discuss the clinical rationale and design of current phase III immuno-oncology clinical trials in patients with advanced stage or recurrent endometrial cancer.

Maternal to fetal transmission of cancer: implications for molecular tumor testing, immune regulation, and pediatric malignancies

Molecular tumor testing has transformed the treatment of patients with malignancies and is helping catalyze the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In a recent issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, Arakawa et al. describe two cases of pediatric lung cancer resulting from mother-to-infant transmission, diagnosed remote from delivery.¹.

KRAS-Mutated, Estrogen Receptor-Positive Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer: Unraveling an Exceptional Response Mystery

We report on a woman with aggressive estrogen receptor‐positive, KRAS‐mutated ovarian cancer who achieved a remarkable response to combination therapy with the MEK inhibitor (trametinib) and the aromatase inhibitor (letrozole), even though the disease had failed to respond to a combination of a PI3K inhibitor and different MEK inhibitor, as well as to trametinib and the estrogen modulator, tamoxifen, and to letrozole by itself. The mechanism of action for exceptional response was elucidated by in vitro experiments that demonstrated that the fact that tamoxifen can have an agonistic effect in addition to antagonist activity, whereas letrozole results only in estrogen depletion was crucial to the response achieved when letrozole was combined with an MEK inhibitor. Our current observations indicate that subtle variations in mechanisms of action of outwardly similar regimens may have a major impact on outcome and that such translational knowledge is critical for optimizing a precision medicine strategy.

Key Points

This report describes the remarkable response of a patient with KRAS‐mutated, estrogen receptor‐positive low‐grade serous ovarian cancer treated with trametinib (MEK inhibitor) and letrozole (aromatase inhibitor), despite prior progression on similar agents including tamoxifen (estrogen modulator).

In vitro investigation revealed that tamoxifen can have agonistic in addition to antagonistic effects, which could be the reason for the patient not responding to the combination of trametinib and tamoxifen.

The current observations suggest that drugs with different mechanisms of action targeting the same receptor may have markedly different anticancer activity when used in combinations.

This article reports the case of a patient with aggressive estrogen receptor‐positive, KRAS‐mutated ovarian cancer who achieved a remarkable response to combination therapy with the MEK inhibitor trametinib and the aromatase inhibitor letrozole, despite earlier failures of treatment with other combination inhibitor treatment. This article focuses on the possibility that subtle variations in mechanisms of action of outwardly similar regimens may have major effects on patient outcomes.

Assessment of malnutrition by unintentional weight loss and its implications on oncologic outcomes in patient with locally advanced cervical cancer receiving primary chemoradiation

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence, risk factors for, and clinical implications of unintentional weight loss on oncologic outcomes in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with concurrent chemotherapy and contemporary radiation techniques.

METHODS

This a single-institution, retrospective cohort study of patients with LACC who received definitive chemoradiation (CRT) from 2010 to 2015. Clinicopathologic factors were abstracted by chart review and characterized using descriptive statistics. Factors associated with severe weight loss (≥10% from baseline) were determined by Chi-square test. Time-to-event analysis was performed using the Kaplan Meier method and regression was performed using the Cox Proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

One hundred and eight patients comprised the cohort. The majority of patients were White, obese, and had squamous histology. Almost 80% of patients experienced at least some weight loss, with 14% of patients experiencing severe weight loss. Patients with FIGO 2009 stage 3 or 4 disease had a 3.4-fold increased risk of severe weight loss compared to those with earlier stage disease. Patients who had severe weight loss had a higher risk for death (HR = 2.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.77, 7.37, p = 0.036) and a trend toward high risk for recurrence (HR = 1.43, 95% CI 0.46, 3.32, p = 0.107) compared to patients without severe weight loss.

CONCLUSION

Unintentional weight loss is a common symptom of patients with LACC receiving CRT that affects oncologic outcomes, yet it remains under-recognized. Increased awareness of weight loss and malnutrition may encourage interventions to improve this potentially modifiable risk factor for worse prognosis and quality of life.

Clinical trials, adaptability and the COVID-19 pandemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic has required adaptability in the workplace.

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Women health care professionals are disproportionately affected by the burdens resulting from the pandemic.

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Flexible work options are critical to ensure staff have the resources to provide cancer care and clinical trial options.

Despite the impact of the COVD-19 pandemic and public health crisis on health care delivery, the GOG-Foundation has continued to prioritize the delivery of novel and state-of-the-science treatment options to patients via clinical trials.

Low-risk multivariate index assay scores, physician referral and surgical choices in women with adnexal masses

OBJECTIVE

To assess the use of Multivariate Index Assay (MIA OVA1) by gynecologists and determine referral practices and surgical decision making for women with adnexal masses and low-risk MIA OVA1 scores.

METHODS

Information on patients who received an OVA1 test was collected retrospectively from 22 gynecologic practices through a chart review. Referral patterns were examined for patients with low-risk OVA1 results prior to first surgical intervention. Chart reviews were from a variety of practice and hospital settings representing major geographic regions within the United States.

RESULTS

A total of 282 independent patient charts were reviewed. Low-risk results were found for 146 patients (52%). Surgery was performed on 82 (56%) patients with low-risk scores. The referral rate to specialty care was 21% (17/82) for low-risk OVA1 patients. Three low-malignant potential tumors were identified in the low-risk patients, with no cases of invasive malignancy. Eighty-six percent of the surgeries performed on low-risk OVA1 patients were minimally invasive. In 44% of the low-risk OVA1 patients, no surgical intervention was performed.

CONCLUSIONS

A high proportion of low-risk OVA1 patients were not referred to a gynecologic oncologist prior to surgery, indicating gynecologists may use MIA OVA1 along with clinical and radiographic findings to appropriately retain patients for their care. This practice is safe and may be cost-saving, with patient satisfaction implications.

Unanticipated 30-day readmission following rectosigmoid resection at the time of cytoreductive surgery in patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer

The objective of this study was to examine the rate of and indications for readmission in patients with advanced staged ovarian cancer undergoing rectosigmoid resection and primary anastomosis, an important quality metric. A retrospective review was conducted of patients with primary ovarian cancer who underwent rectosigmoid resection as part of cytoreductive surgery between July 2003 and July 2014. Univariate analysis identified rates and predictors of readmission. Fifty patients were eligible for analysis. The unanticipated 30-day readmission rate was 18% (n = 9). Of those readmitted less than 30 days from date of discharge, 3 were readmitted more than once, making 14 total readmissions. A total of 21 indications for readmission were reported, with the most common being: infection (23.8%, n = 5); thromboembolic events (19%, n = 4); and severe malnutrition (14.3%, n = 3). The median time to readmission was 14 days (range, 2-26). There were no deaths within 30 days of surgery in this cohort.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known about the subject? Unanticipated 30-day readmission rates are reported to be between 12 and 20% among patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for the management of ovarian cancer. The relative contribution of rectosigmoid resection at the time of cytoreductive surgery to readmission is not well studied.What do the results of this study add? In the examined cohort, the unanticipated 30-day readmission rate following rectosigmoid resection with primary reanastomosis at the time of cytoreductive surgery is 18%, similar to the readmission rate for patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery, in general. While the sample size is limited, the perioperative complications in this cohort appear similar to those of patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Efforts to reduce unanticipated 30-day readmission following cytoreductive surgery is warranted. Future studies may benefit from multi-centre approaches and prospective data collection, while simultaneously assessing the impact of enhanced recovery programs. Ultimately, identification of risk factors, and programmatic initiatives to drive down readmission will be important across surgical platforms, and the opportunity exists in patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer.

Real-world data from a molecular tumor board demonstrates improved outcomes with a precision N-of-One strategy

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can identify novel cancer targets. However, interpreting the molecular findings and accessing drugs/clinical trials is challenging. Furthermore, many tumors show resistance to monotherapies. To implement a precision strategy, we initiated a multidisciplinary (basic/translational/clinical investigators, bioinformaticians, geneticists, and physicians from multiple specialties) molecular tumor board (MTB), which included a project manager to facilitate obtaining clinical-grade biomarkers (blood/tissue NGS, specific immunohistochemistry/RNA expression including for immune-biomarkers, per physician discretion) and medication-acquisition specialists/clinical trial coordinators/navigators to assist with medication access. The MTB comprehensively reviewed patient characteristics to develop N-of-One treatments implemented by the treating physician's direction under the auspices of a master protocol. Overall, 265/429 therapy-evaluable patients (62%) were matched to ≥1 recommended drug. Eighty-six patients (20%) matched to all drugs recommended by MTB, including combinatorial approaches, while 38% received physician's choice regimen, generally with unmatched approach/low degree of matching. Our results show that patients who receive MTB-recommended regimens (versus physician choice) have significantly longer progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS), and are better matched to therapy. High (≥50%) versus low (<50%) Matching Score therapy (roughly reflecting therapy matched to ≥50% versus <50% of alterations) independently correlates with longer PFS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50-0.80; P < 0.001) and OS (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.50-0.90; P = 0.007) and higher stable disease ≥6 months/partial/complete remission rate (52.1% versus 30.4% P < 0.001) (all multivariate). In conclusion, patients who receive MTB-based therapy are better matched to their genomic alterations, and the degree of matching is an independent predictor of improved oncologic outcomes including survival.

Clinical implications of plasma circulating tumor DNA in gynecologic cancer patients

Molecular characterization of cancers is important in dictating prognostic factors and directing therapy. Next‐generation sequencing of plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) offers less invasive, more convenient collection, and a more real‐time representation of a tumor and its molecular heterogeneity than tissue. However, little is known about the clinical implications of ctDNA assessment in gynecologic cancer. We describe the molecular landscape identified on ctDNA, ctDNA concordance with tissue‐based analysis, and factors associated with overall survival (OS) in gynecologic cancer patients with ctDNA analysis. We reviewed clinicopathologic and genomic information for 105 consecutive gynecologic cancer patients with ctDNA analysis, including 78 with tissue‐based sequencing, enrolled in the Profile‐Related Evidence Determining Individualized Cancer Therapy (NCT02478931) trial at the University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center starting July 2014. Tumors included ovarian (47.6%), uterine (35.2%), cervical (12.4%), vulvovaginal (2.9%), and unknown gynecologic primary (1.9%). Most ovarian and uterine cancers (86%) were high grade. 34% (N = 17) of ovarian cancers had BRCA alterations, and 22% (N = 11) were platinum sensitive. Patients received median 2 (range 0–13) lines of therapy prior to ctDNA collection. Most (75.2%) had at least one characterized alteration on ctDNA analysis, and the majority had unique genomic profiles on ctDNA. Most common alterations were TP53 (N = 59, 56.2% of patients), PIK3CA (N = 26, 24.8%), KRAS (N = 14, 13.3%), BRAF (N = 10, 9.5%), ERBB2 (N = 8, 7.6%), and MYC (N = 8, 7.6%). Higher ctDNA maximum mutation allele frequency was associated with worse OS [hazard ratio (HR): 1.91, P = 0.03], while therapy matched to ctDNA alterations (N = 33 patients) was independently associated with improved OS (HR: 0.34, P = 0.007) compared to unmatched therapy (N = 28 patients) in multivariate analysis. Tissue and ctDNA genomic results showed high concordance unaffected by temporal or spatial factors. This study provides evidence for the utility of ctDNA in determining outcome and individualizing cancer therapy in patients with gynecologic cancer.

Unique Genomic Landscape of High-Grade Neuroendocrine Cervical Carcinoma: Implications for Rethinking Current Treatment Paradigms

PURPOSE

High-grade neuroendocrine cervical cancer (HGNECC) is an uncommon malignancy with limited therapeutic options; treatment is patterned after the histologically similar small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). To better understand HGNECC biology, we report its genomic landscape.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-seven patients with HGNECC underwent comprehensive genomic profiling (182-315 genes). These results were subsequently compared with a cohort of 1,800 SCLCs.

RESULTS

The median age of patients with HGNECC was 40.5 years; 83 patients (85.6%) harbored high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Overall, 294 genomic alterations (GAs) were identified (median, 2 GAs/sample; average, 3.0 GAs/sample, range, 0-25 GAs/sample) in 109 distinct genes. The most frequently altered genes were PIK3CA (19.6% of cohort), MYC (15.5%), TP53 (15.5%), and PTEN (14.4%). RB1 GAs occurred in 4% versus 32% of HPV-positive versus HPV-negative tumors (P < .0001). GAs in HGNECC involved the following pathways: PI3K/AKT/mTOR (41.2%); RAS/MEK (11.3%); homologous recombination (9.3%); and ERBB (7.2%). Two tumors (2.1%) had high tumor mutational burden (TMB; both with MSH2 alterations); 16 (16.5%) had intermediate TMB. Seventy-one patients (73%) had ≥ 1 alteration that was theoretically druggable. Comparing HGNECC with SCLC, significant differences in TMB, microsatellite instability, HPV-positive status, and in PIK3CA, MYC, PTEN, TP53, ARID1A, and RB1 alteration rates were found.

CONCLUSION

This large cohort of patients with HGNECC demonstrated a genomic landscape distinct from SCLC, calling into question the biologic and therapeutic relevance of the histologic similarities between the entities. Furthermore, 73% of HGNECC tumors had potentially actionable alterations, suggesting novel treatment strategies for this aggressive malignancy.

Abstract CT189: Patient-specific dendritic cell vaccines with tumor antigens from self-renewing autologous tumor cells in the treatment of primary advanced ovarian cancer: A multi-institutional phase II clinical trial

Standard treatment of primary ovarian epithelial cancer has improved, but 5-year survival is only about 40% for the cohort of patients who present with stage 3 or 4 disease. Adjunctive therapy with patient-specific vaccines may improve outcomes by enhancing each patient's anti-cancer immune response. A multi-institutional, double- blinded randomized phase II clinical trial was designed with a primary objective of a 50% reduction in the risk of death compared to the control arm. Key eligibility criteria are: (1) primary diagnosis of stage 3 or 4 ovary epithelial cancer, (2) successful cell culture of ovarian cancer cells, (3) successful monocyte collection by leukapheresis, and (4) ECOG of 0 or 1 at the time of randomization. After completing primary systemic therapy, patients are stratified based on whether they have any residual evidence of disease and then randomized 2:1 to vaccine or control arms. Randomization occurs about 7 months after initial surgery. In the active arm IL-4 and GM-CSF are used to differentiate monocytes into dendritic cells (DC) which are incubated with the lysate of cultured ovary cancer cells as the source of autologous tumor antigens (ATA) to produce each patient-specific DC-ATA vaccine. Patients in the control arm receive cryopreserved autologous monocytes from their leukapheresis product. Each dose is admixed with 500 mcg GM-CSF at the time of subcutaneous injections at weeks 1, 2, 3, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24. DC-ATA may be given alone or in combination with maintenance or salvage therapies. At the time of this analysis, cell line success rate is 35/35 (100%); monocyte collection success rate is 19/20 (95%), and 2 patients required a second apheresis to get a satisfactory product. 14 patients had primary ovarian, 2 fallopian tube, and 1 primary intraperitoneal cancer. 17 of a planned 99 have been randomized. At diagnosis 15 patients had stage 3 disease and two had stage 4; 15 had no evidence of disease at the time of randomization. Primary systemic therapy was adjuvant for 7 and neoadjuvant for 10. Ages of the randomized patients range from 39 to 80 years with a median of 61 years. ECOG status was 0 for 11 subjects, and 1 for 6 subjects. 13 patients have started treatment and received 92 injections; 9 have received all 8 doses and only 2 have stopped before 8 doses. No patient has discontinued treatment because of toxicity, but 1 patient was hospitalized after the 8th dose for refractory urticaria that resolved after high-dose corticosteroids followed by slow tapering. This patient-specific DC-ATA immunotherapy approach is feasible in patients with primary advanced ovarian cancer. The clinical trial is continuing as planned. [Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02033616]

Citation Format: Lisa N. Abaid, Bradley R. Corr, James R. Mason, Richard L. Friedman, Ramez N. Eskander, Candace Hsieh, Chris J. Langford, Krystal Carta, Adrienne M. Wang, James A. Langford, Gabriel I. Nistor, Robert O. Dillman. Patient-specific dendritic cell vaccines with tumor antigens from self-renewing autologous tumor cells in the treatment of primary advanced ovarian cancer: A multi-institutional phase II clinical trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr CT189.

Abstract 43: Clinical implications of real-world data on plasma circulating tumor DNA in gynecologic cancer patients

Molecular characterization of individual cancers is increasingly important in dictating prognostic factors and directing therapy. Next-generation sequencing of blood-derived circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) offers less invasive, more convenient collection and a more real-time representation of a tumor and its molecular heterogeneity than tissue-based analysis. However, little is known about the clinical implications of ctDNA assessment in gynecologic cancer. We report the clinicopathologic and genomic information for 105 gynecologic cancer patients with ctDNA analysis, including 78 patients with tissue-based sequencing, who were enrolled in Profile Related Evidence Determining Individualized Cancer Therapy (PREDICT, NCT02478931). Tumors in our cohort included ovarian (47.6%), uterine (35.2%), cervical (12.4%), vulvar or vaginal (2.9%), and gynecologic cancer of unknown primary (1.9%). The majority of patients (74.3%) had at least one characterized alteration on ctDNA analysis. The most common alterations were in the following genes: TP53 (N=59, 56.2% of patients), PIK3CA (N=26, 24.8%), KRAS (N=14, 13.3%), BRAF (N=10, 9.5%), ERBB2 (N=8, 7.6%), and MYC (N=8, 7.6%). Higher total percentage of ctDNA was associated with worse overall survival (HR 2.18, p=0.008), and therapy matched to ctDNA genomic alterations (N = 33 patients) independently predicted improved overall survival (HR 0.34, p=0.007) as compared to unmatched therapy (N = 28 patients). Tissue and ctDNA genomic results showed high concordance unaffected by temporal or spatial factors. This study provides evidence for the utility of ctDNA in determining outcome and individualizing cancer therapy in patients with gynecologic cancer.

Citation Format: Lindsey Michelle Charo, Ramez N. Eskander, Ryosuke Okamura, Sandip Patel, Mina Nikanjam, Richard Layman, David E. Piccioni, Shamei Kato, Michael McHale, Razelle Kurzrock. Clinical implications of real-world data on plasma circulating tumor DNA in gynecologic cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advancing Precision Medicine Drug Development: Incorporation of Real-World Data and Other Novel Strategies; Jan 9-12, 2020; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 43.

Validation of Microsatellite Instability Detection Using a Comprehensive Plasma-Based Genotyping Panel

PURPOSE

To analytically and clinically validate microsatellite instability (MSI) detection using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Pan-cancer MSI detection using Guardant360 was analytically validated according to established guidelines and clinically validated using 1,145 cfDNA samples for which tissue MSI status based on standard-of-care tissue testing was available. The landscape of cfDNA-based MSI across solid tumor types was investigated in a cohort of 28,459 clinical plasma samples. Clinical outcomes for 16 patients with cfDNA MSI-H gastric cancer treated with immunotherapy were evaluated.

RESULTS

cfDNA MSI evaluation was shown to have high specificity, precision, and sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 0.1% tumor content. In evaluable patients, cfDNA testing accurately detected 87% (71/82) of tissue MSI-H and 99.5% of tissue microsatellite stable (863/867) for an overall accuracy of 98.4% (934/949) and a positive predictive value of 95% (71/75). Concordance of cfDNA MSI with tissue PCR and next-generation sequencing was significantly higher than IHC. Prevalence of cfDNA MSI for major cancer types was consistent with those reported for tissue. Finally, robust clinical activity of immunotherapy treatment was seen in patients with advanced gastric cancer positive for MSI by cfDNA, with 63% (10/16) of patients achieving complete or partial remission with sustained clinical benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

cfDNA-based MSI detection using Guardant360 is highly concordant with tissue-based testing, enabling highly accurate detection of MSI status concurrent with comprehensive genomic profiling and expanding access to immunotherapy for patients with advanced cancer for whom current testing practices are inadequate.See related commentary by Wang and Ajani, p. 6887.

Dramatic response to Laetrile and cannabidiol (CBD) oil in a patient with metastatic low grade serous ovarian carcinoma

•Complimentary alternative medicine use is common in women with gynecologic cancers.•Cannabinoid receptors are potential therapeutic targets in ovarian cancer.•Communication with patients is critical regarding use of alternative therapies.

The Epigenetic Landscape in the Treatment of Gynecologic Malignancies

The care of patients with advanced-stage or recurrent endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer remains clinically challenging. Despite the identification of novel therapeutics and advancements in supportive care, survival outcomes have been relatively unchanged over the past decade. In addition to established genomic alterations and the contributions of the tumor microenvironment to cancer progression, epigenetic mechanisms have emerged as important contributors to gynecologic cancer progression. DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNA expression may be important contributors to disease initiation and progression and may represent novel therapeutic targets. This article reviews the epigenetic landscape of endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer, describing the state of the science and discussing potential clinical applications. To date, the role of epigenetic drugs in the treatment of gynecologic cancers remains unclear, although continued progress may inform future treatment modalities.

PARP Inhibitors in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer remains the most common lethal gynecologic malignancy. The therapeutic gains with the use of traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy in advanced stage disease remain limited, reflecting the need for novel therapies. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors have recently demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect in patients with recurrent, high grade serous ovarian cancer, both in the treatment of existing disease and in prolonging the disease-free interval.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to discuss PARP inhibitor use in patients with advanced stage ovarian cancer, and to extensively review the existing clinical literature and related patents.

METHODS

A comprehensive PUBMED literature review was conducted to identify all published phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials involving PARP inhibitors in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Further, several patents related to PARP inhibitor use, companion diagnostic tests, and the development of biomarkers to predict PARP inhibitor responsiveness are described.

RESULTS

PARP inhibitors have demonstrated significant clinical activity in both BRCA deficient and wild-type patient cohorts, with all three FDA-approved PARP inhibitors demonstrating efficacy irrespective of BRCA mutation status in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSION

PARP inhibitors have emerged as an exciting new drug class in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer. Ongoing studies are aimed at improving our ability to identify ideal candidates for PARP inhibitor therapy, as well as to identify and target mechanisms of drug resistance, and novel combinatorial approaches.

EZH2 inhibition in ARID1A mutated clear cell and endometrioid ovarian and endometrioid endometrial cancers

Clear cell carcinoma and endometrioid adenocarcinoma are histologic subtypes of ovarian and uterine cancer that demonstrate unique clinical behavior but share common underlying genomic aberrations and oncogenic pathways. ARID1A mutations are more frequently identified in these tumors, in comparison to other gynecologic histologies, and loss of ARID1A tumor suppressor function is thought to be an essential component of carcinogenic transformation. Several therapeutic targets in ARID1A mutated cancers are in development, including EZH2 inhibitors. EZH2 facilitates epigenetic methylation to modulate gene expression, and both uterine and ovarian cancers show evidence of EZH2 over expression. EZH2 inhibition in ARID1A mutated tumors acts in a synthetically lethal manner to suppress cell growth and promote apoptosis, revealing a unique new therapeutic opportunity. Several phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of EZH2 inhibitors are ongoing currently and there is considerable promise in translational trials for utilization of this new targeted therapy, both to capitalize on ARID1A loss of function and to increase sensitivity to platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapies. This review will synthesize the molecular carcinogenesis of these malignancies and their unique clinical behavior, as a foundation for an emerging frontier of targeted therapeutics - the synergistic inhibition of EZH2 in ARID1A mutated cancers.

Primary low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma of the omentum

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Extra-uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma may arise in endometriosis.

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Abdominal exploration for extra pelvic endometriosis is warranted.

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Representative endometriotic implants should be resected and/or biopsied if clinically suspicious.

Metastatic small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix treated with the PD-1 inhibitor, nivolumab: a case report

Background

Nivolumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor specific for the programmed death 1 (PD-1) receptor that has led to clinical responses in many cancer types. Identifying biomarkers predictive of response to PD-1 blockade is an area of active investigation.

Case presentation

We present a patient with recurrent, metastatic, PD-L1-negative small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (SCNEC) who experienced a complete response to nivolumab. Though nivolumab was discontinued over 4 months ago due to treatment-related adverse events, she continues to have no evidence of disease.

Conclusions

Immune checkpoint inhibitors may be active in neuroendocrine cervical cancer, with potential for dramatic responses in a modest subset of patients.

Independent psychometric validation of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Endometrial Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ-EN24)

The endometrial cancer (EC)-specific Quality of Life module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-EN24), was developed and validated in one study. We independently validated and assessed the psychometric properties of the instrument. Two hundred and eight women with EC before surgery, during adjuvant treatment and follow-up; in three different cancer centres completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EN24. The questionnaire's completion rate was 100%, except sexuality items, that were answered by 35% of patients. All item-scale correlations for the multi-item scales exceeded the .4 criterion and correlated well with their own scale, while correlations with the other scales were low. The internal consistency of all multi-item scales were satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from .77 to .97). Discriminance for single-item scales was low. The QLQ-EN24 module discriminated well between clinically different patients, and there were no differences in quality of life questionnaire scales between patients with body mass index ≤30 when compared to those with >30. This validation study supports the reliability, as well as convergent and divergent validity of the EORTC QLQ-EN24. The module is a useful instrument for the assessment of QOL in patients with EC. However, data concerning sexuality should be interpreted with caution.

The clinical utility of an elevated-risk multivariate index assay score in ovarian cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

Early involvement of specialists is associated with improved survival in ovarian cancer patients. However, only 33-60% of patients are currently being referred. A more effective strategy to get patients with an elevated risk of ovarian cancer to gynecologic oncologists is needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of a multivariate index assay, OVA1 * , by assessing its ability to drive referral of ovarian cancer patients to gynecologic oncologists prior to their first surgical intervention.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Information on patients who received a multivariate index assay was collected retrospectively from 22 obstetricians/gynecologists through a chart review. Physicians were recruited from a variety of practices and hospitals representing major geographic regions within the United States. Clinical utility of the multivariate index assay was assessed by examining the rate at which obstetricians/gynecologists involved a gynecologic oncologist for patients with elevated-risk results prior to first surgical intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 136 patients with elevated-risk assay results were assessed, of whom 122 underwent surgery to remove an adnexal mass. Prior to surgery, 98 (80%) of the patients were referred to a gynecologic oncologist with an additional 11 (9%) having a gynecologic oncologist available if required by intra-operative findings. Primary ovarian cancer was found in 65 (53%) patients, and gynecologic oncologists performed 61 (94%) of the initial surgeries these patients. Similar results were found in premenopausal and postmenopausal patients.

CONCLUSIONS

A high proportion of patients with elevated-risk assay results were referred to a gynecologic oncologist prior to their initial surgery. Nearly all of the patients who had primary ovarian malignancies were appropriately referred to gynecologic oncologists, highlighting the clinical utility of the multivariate index assay. Nearly all patients identified with ovarian cancer received their initial surgery by a gynecologic oncologist - demonstrating a higher rate of gynecologic oncologist involvement in comparison to past studies. The study may be limited by unintentional bias in physician response and recall.