Bevacizumab increases the sensitivity of olaparib to homologous recombination-proficient ovarian cancer by suppressing CRY1 via PI3K/AKT pathway

PARP inhibitors have changed the management of advanced high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), especially homologous recombinant (HR)-deficient advanced high-grade EOC. However, the effect of PARP inhibitors on HR-proficient (HRP) EOC is limited. Thus, new therapeutic strategy for HRP EOC is desired. In recent clinical study, the combination of PARP inhibitors with anti-angiogenic agents improved therapeutic efficacy, even in HRP cases. These data suggested that anti-angiogenic agents might potentiate the response to PARP inhibitors in EOC cells. Here, we demonstrated that anti-angiogenic agents, bevacizumab and cediranib, increased the sensitivity of olaparib in HRP EOC cells by suppressing HR activity. Most of the γ-H2AX foci were co-localized with RAD51 foci in control cells. However, most of the RAD51 were decreased in the bevacizumab-treated cells. RNA sequencing showed that bevacizumab decreased the expression of CRY1 under DNA damage stress. CRY1 is one of the transcriptional coregulators associated with circadian rhythm and has recently been reported to regulate the expression of genes required for HR in cancer cells. We found that the anti-angiogenic agents suppressed the increase of CRY1 expression by inhibiting VEGF/VEGFR/PI3K pathway. The suppression of CRY1 expression resulted in decrease of HR activity. In addition, CRY1 inhibition also sensitized EOC cells to olaparib. These data suggested that anti-angiogenic agents and CRY1 inhibitors will be the promising candidate in the combination therapy with PARP inhibitors in HR-proficient EOC.

Climate-driven variability of the Southern Ocean CO2 sink

The Southern Ocean is a major sink of atmospheric CO2, but the nature and magnitude of its variability remains uncertain and debated. Estimates based on observations suggest substantial variability that is not reproduced by process-based ocean models, with increasingly divergent estimates over the past decade. We examine potential constraints on the nature and magnitude of climate-driven variability of the Southern Ocean CO2 sink from observation-based air-sea O2 fluxes. On interannual time scales, the variability in the air-sea fluxes of CO2 and O2 estimated from observations is consistent across the two species and positively correlated with the variability simulated by ocean models. Our analysis suggests that variations in ocean ventilation related to the Southern Annular Mode are responsible for this interannual variability. On decadal time scales, the existence of significant variability in the air-sea CO2 flux estimated from observations also tends to be supported by observation-based estimates of O2 flux variability. However, the large decadal variability in air-sea CO2 flux is absent from ocean models. Our analysis suggests that issues in representing the balance between the thermal and non-thermal components of the CO2 sink and/or insufficient variability in mode water formation might contribute to the lack of decadal variability in the current generation of ocean models. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Heat and carbon uptake in the Southern Ocean: the state of the art and future priorities'.

Paclitaxel sensitizes homologous recombination-proficient ovarian cancer cells to PARP inhibitor via the CDK1/BRCA1 pathway

OBJECTIVE

An effective treatment strategy for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) with homologous recombination (HR)-proficient (HRP) phenotype has not been established, although poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) impact the disease course with HR-deficient (HRD) phenotype. Here, we aimed to clarify the cellular effects of paclitaxel (PTX) on the DNA damage response and the therapeutic application of PTX with PARPi in HRP ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Two models with different PTX dosing schedules were established in HRP ovarian cancer OVISE cells. Growth inhibition and HR activity were analyzed in these models with or without PARPi. BRCA1 phosphorylation status was examined in OVISE cells by inhibiting CDK1, which was reduced by PTX treatment. CDK1 expression was evaluated in EOC patients treated with PTX-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

RESULTS

PTX suppressed CDK1 expression resulting in impaired BRCA1 phosphorylation in OVISE cells. The reduced CDK1 activity by PTX could decrease HR activity in response to DNA damage and therefore increase the sensitivity to PARPi. Immunohistochemistry showed that CDK1 expression was attenuated in samples collected after PTX-based chemotherapy compared to those collected before chemotherapy. The decrease in CDK1 expression was greater with dose-dense PTX schedule than with the conventional PTX schedule.

CONCULSIONS

PTX could act synergistically with PARPi in HRP ovarian cancer cells, suggesting that the combination of PTX with PARPi may be a novel treatment strategy extending the utility of PARPi to EOC. Our findings provide cules for future translational clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of PTX in combination with PARPi in HRP ovarian cancer.

Urine osmolality predicts worsening renal function and poor prognosis in acute decompensated heart failure

Background/Purpose

Worsening renal function (WRF) can sometimes occur in the patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and increase the risk of morbidity and mortality (1). In a previous study, it was reported that fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) reflects net sodium reabsorption from nephron segments and predicts WRF during treating ADHF (2). On the other hand, recently the new drugs which approach urine concentration mechanism and affect urine osmolality (U-OSM), such as tolvaptan and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, have begun to be widely used as treatment of heart failure. Thus, we focused on U-OSM, which reflects not only sodium handling but also water excretion controlled by the collecting duct, and evaluated the association between WRF and U-OSM. Moreover, previous studies have demonstrated that FENa, fractional excretion of urea nitrogen and transtubular potassium concentration gradient are markers for long-term prognosis in patients with ADHF (3–5). Therefore, we also studied whether U-OSM can predict prognosis in ADHF.

Methods

A total of 157 patients admitted to our hospital because of a primary diagnosis of ADHF from February 2020 through July 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. U-OSM in the spot urinary samples were examined within 72 hours after admission. U-OSM was calculated based on the following validated formula (6): U-OSM = 1.07 × {2 × [urine sodium (mEq/L)] + [urine urea nitrogen (mg/dL)]/2.8 + [urine creatinine (mg/dl)] × 2/3} + 16.2. The primary outcome was the occurrence of WRF during hospitalization. WRF was defined as increased serum creatinine ≥0.3 mg/dL from baseline (7). The secondary outcome was the occurrence of ADHF readmission and all-cause death within 180 days after discharge.

Results

Primary Outcome. WRF developed in 46% of all patients. In the patients that developed WRF during hospitalization, U-OSM was significantly lower than in the patients without WRF (366±106 mOsm/L versus 430±128 mOsm/L; P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed the optimal cutoff values of U-OSM was 403 mOsm/L (AUC 0.64; 95% CI: 0.56–0.72; P<0.001) to predict the WRF (Figure 1). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, U-OSM (OR, 1.99, 95% CI: 1.27–3.12; p=0.003) and serum creatinine (OR, 1.00, 95% CI: 0.99–1.00; P=0.009) were independent predictors of WRF.

Secondary Outcome. There were 34 patients (22%) readmitted and 9 patients (6%) died within 180 days after discharge. ROC curve analysis revealed the optimal cutoff values of U-OSM as 349 mOsm/L (C-statistic 0.74; 95% CI: 0.65–0.83; P<0.001) to predict ADHF readmission and all-cause death within 180 days (Figure 2A). On Kaplan-Meier analysis, the secondary outcome was significantly higher in patients with U-OSM<349 mOsm/L (u-OSM≥349, 57%, U-OSM<349, 43%; HR, 0.99; 95% CI: 0.99–1.00, P<0.001) (Figure 2B).

Conclusion

U-OSM on admission may be a predictor of WRF and a prognostic marker in ADHF patients.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Multiomic Characterization of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma Enables High-Resolution Patient Stratification

PURPOSE

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most common ovarian cancer type; most patients experience disease recurrence that accumulates chemoresistance, leading to treatment failure. Genomic and transcriptomic features have been associated with differential outcome and treatment response. However, the relationship between events at the gene sequence, copy number, and gene-expression levels remains poorly defined.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We perform multiomic characterization of a large HGSOC cohort (n = 362) with detailed clinical annotation to interrogate the relationship between patient subgroups defined by specific molecular events.

RESULTS

BRCA2-mutant (BRCA2m) and EMSY-overexpressing cases demonstrated prolonged survival [multivariable hazard ratios (HR) 0.40 and 0.51] and significantly higher first- and second-line chemotherapy response rate. CCNE1-gained (CCNE1g) cases demonstrated underrepresentation of FIGO stage IV cases, with shorter survival but no significant difference in treatment response. We demonstrate marked overlap between the TCGA- and Tothill-derived subtypes. IMR/C2 cases displayed higher BRCA1/2m frequency (25.5%, 32.5%) and significantly greater immune cell infiltration, whereas PRO/C5 cases had the highest CCNE1g rate (23.9%, 22.2%) and were uniformly low in immune cell infiltration. The survival benefit for cases with aberrations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes was apparent across all transcriptomic subtypes (HR range, 0.48-0.68). There was significant co-occurrence of RB loss and HRR gene aberrations; RB loss was further associated with favorable survival within HRR-aberrant cases (multivariable HR, 0.50).

CONCLUSIONS

These data paint a high-resolution picture of the molecular landscape in HGSOC, better defining patients who may benefit most from specific molecular therapeutics and highlighting those for whom novel treatment strategies are needed to improve outcomes.

Scoring Systems of Peritoneal Dissemination for the Prediction of Operative Completeness in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

We investigated the predictive value of scoring systems of peritoneal disseminations for complete surgery (CS) at primary debulking surgery (PDS) in advanced ovarian cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled eligible patients with clinical stages III or IVA selected for PDS from January 2015 to December 2019. Concern variables were predictive index value (PIV) and peritoneal cancer index (PCI) from operative and pathological reports. Primary endpoints were cutoffs to predict operative completeness using the receiver operating characteristic curve.

RESULTS

Among 111 patients, PIV ≥8 and PCI ≥13 were the best predictors of incomplete PDS, including optimal and suboptimal surgeries (AUC=0.821 and 0.855, respectively). CS rates in PIV ≤6 and PCI ≤12 were significantly higher than in PIV ≥8 (89.3% vs. 47.2%; p<0.05) and PCI ≥13 (90.9% vs. 41.2%: p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

PIV and PCI are potential predictors for CS at PDS.

O3C Glass-Class: A Machine-Learning Framework for Prognostic Prediction of Ovarian Clear-Cell Carcinoma

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC), one of the histopathological types of ovarian cancer, has a poor prognosis when it recurs; however, it is difficult to precisely predict the risk of recurrence. Here, we analyzed pathological images of OCCC to elucidate the relationship between pathological findings and recurrence, and using machine learning, we established a classifier to predict the recurrence and several other prognosis indicators of this disease. In total, 110 patients with OCCC treated with primary surgery at a single institution were enrolled in this study. We used the deep-learning neural networks to process the whole slide images of OCCC obtained by digitally scanning the original hematoxylin and eosin-stained glass slides. The images were preprocessed and used as input to the machine learning pipeline. We fine-tuned its parameters to predict the recurrence, progression-free survival, and the overall survival days of all patients. We predicted the recurrence of OCCC with an overall accuracy of 93%, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.98, and sensitivity/specificity above 0.92 using Resnet 34. Furthermore, we predicted progression-free survival/overall survival of the patients with ~90% accuracy. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the feasibility of using a machine learning system to predict different features of OCCC samples using histopathological images as input. This novel application provides accurate prognosis information and aids in the development of personalized treatment strategies.

Clinical Availability of Tumour Biopsy Using Diagnostic Laparoscopy for Advanced Ovarian Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Tumour biopsy using laparoscopy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer has been widely accepted. However, there are few reports about its operative outcome compared to biopsy with laparotomy. We investigated the advantage of laparoscopic biopsy for advanced ovarian cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included 23 patients who underwent laparoscopy and 27 who underwent exploratory laparotomy before neoadjuvant chemotherapy between January 2012 and August 2020. We reviewed their medical records and evaluated their operative outcomes.

RESULTS

Blood loss was significantly lower in the laparoscopy group (5 ml vs. 320 ml, p<0.05). The period until the initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was significantly shorter in the laparoscopy group (12 days vs. 16 days, p<0.05). Overall survival did not differ significantly between the two groups (25.4 months vs. 24.7 months, p=0.53).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic tumour biopsy is useful and safe for histological diagnosis, thereby allowing for early introduction to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Effects of cardiac rehabilitation on the two-year prognosis of patients with heart failure: a multicentre prospective cohort study

Background

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a comprehensive disease management program highly recommended by heart failure (HF) guidelines. However, the prognostic effects of outpatient CR are inconsistent among recent meta-analyses which enrolled mainly younger HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). With an aging population, an increased importance of CR has been put on patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the prognostic effects of regularly undergoing CR for 6 months after discharge analysing nationwide cohort data including older population with HFrEF and HFpEF.

Methods

We analysed 2876 patients who hospitalised for acute HF or worsening chronic HF and capable of walking at discharge in the multicentre prospective cohort study. Frequency of outpatient CR participation of each patient was collected using medical records. We assessed CR frequency within 6 months of discharge since most collaborating hospitals conducted final follow-up examinations at 6 months. The CR group was defined as patients who underwent outpatient CR once or more per week for 6 months after discharge. The main study endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalisation during a 2-year follow-up. We performed a propensity score-matched analysis to compare survival rates between the CR and non-CR groups. Propensity scores for each patient were produced by a logistic regression analysis with the CR group as the dependent variable and 33 potential confounders as independent variables. To evaluate events beyond 6 months, we also conducted landmark analyses at 6 months.

Results

Of the 2876 enrolled patients, 313 underwent CR for 6 months. After propensity score matching using confounding factors, 626 patients (313 pairs) were included in the survival analysis (median age: 74 years, men: 59.6%, median left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]: 42%). During 1006.1 person-years of follow-up, 137 patients were rehospitalised due to HF exacerbation, and 50 patients died in the matched cohort. In Cox proportional hazards model (Figure 1), CR was associated with a reduced risk of composite outcomes (hazard ratio [HR] 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48–0.91), all-cause mortality (HR 0.53; 95% CI 0.30–0.95), and HF rehospitalisation (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.47–0.92). A subgroup analysis showed similar CR effects in patients with HFpEF (LVEF ≥50%) and HFrEF (LVEF &lt;40%). However, in a landmark analysis, CR did not reduce the adverse outcomes beyond 6 months after discharge (Figure 2).

Conclusions

The findings of this study demonstrate the needs that CR should become a standard treatment for HF regardless of HF type and the necessity of periodical follow-up after completing CR program to maintain its prognostic effects.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Figure 1. Prognostic effects of CRFigure 2. Landmark analysis

Association between lowering heart rate during IMPELLA support and favorable short-term outcome in patients with cardiogenic shock

Background

Impella has been increasingly used in patients with cardiogenic shock (CGS). Target values for clinical indices for appropriate management of Impella have not yet been established.

Purpose

We aimed to elucidate the association between heat rate (HR) during Impella treatment in patients with CGS and clinical outcomes.

Methods and results

We retrospectively evaluated 62 patients (68±14 years; male 77%) with CGS receiving temporary circulatory support with the Impella between February 1, 2019, and February 31, 2021. The primary end point was 30-day mortality. Clinical characteristics, laboratory and hemodynamic markers at implantation of Impella (baseline), 12, 24 hr after implantation, and removal of Impella were assessed. There were 28 patients with concomitant use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Treatment periods using Impella were 8±6 days. After excluding 11 patients who died during Impella support, the relationship between clinical indicators at each time points and 30-day mortality was evaluated. There were 22 patients (43%) with 30-day mortality. Factors associated with 30-day mortality were: female, ECMO, higher 24-hr lactate level, lower 24-hr cardiac power output, and higher HR at removal. Lower HR of ≤81 bpm at removal was found to most accurately predict lower 30-day mortality (Figure 1). Higher increases in dose of beta-blockers during Impella support and lower absolute doses of norepinephrine at removal were correlated with decreases in HR during Impella support.

Conclusions

In patients with CGS treated with Impella, lower HR at removal was associated with lower incidence of 30-day mortality. Lowering HR during Impella treatment was recognized as a simple indicator for favorable clinical outcomes in patients with CGS. It was suggested that chronotropic interventions during Impella treatment may be novel therapeutic options in patients with CGS.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

A multi-ethnic analysis of immune-related gene expression signatures in patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Little is known about the immune environment of ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) and its impact on various ethnic backgrounds. The aim of this OCCC immune‐related gene expression signatures (irGES) study was to address the interaction between tumour and immune environment of ethnically‐diverse Asian and Caucasian populations and to identify relevant molecular subsets of biological and clinical importance. Our study included 264 women from three different countries (Singapore, Japan, and the UK) and identified four novel immune subtypes (PD1‐high, CTLA4‐high, antigen‐presentation, and pro‐angiogenic subtype) with differentially expressed pathways, and gene ontologies using the NanoString nCounter PanCancer Immune Profiling Panel. The PD1‐high and CTLA4‐high subtypes demonstrated significantly higher PD1, PDL1, and CTLA4 expression, and were associated with poorer clinical outcomes. Mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression, assessed by immunohistochemistry, revealed that about 5% of OCCCs had deficient MMR expression. The prevalence was similar across the three countries and appeared to cluster in the CTLA4‐high subtype. Our results suggest that OCCC from women of Asian and Caucasian descent shares significant clinical and molecular similarities. To our knowledge, our study is the first study to include both Asian and Caucasian women with OCCC and helps to shine light on the impact of ethnic differences on the immune microenvironment of OCCC. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients With Diaphragmatic Lesions: A Prognostic Postoperative Analysis

BACKGROUND/AIM

We aimed to analyse the prognosis of patients who underwent primary debulking surgery (PDS) and those who underwent interval debulking surgery (IDS) following four courses of paclitaxel+ carboplatin as preoperative chemotherapy to examine the usefulness of preoperative chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included 45 patients with epithelial ovarian and peritoneal cancers accompanied with diaphragmatic lesions who underwent standard surgery combined with diaphragmatic surgery at two related institutions in January 2010-December 2013. Using medical records, we surveyed the recurrence period, recurrence site, and date of last confirmed survival, and analysed prognosis.

RESULTS

The PDS and IDS groups comprised 32 and 13 patients (overall survival, 61.2 and 43.2 months), respectively. Progression-free survival in the PDS and IDS groups was 31.2 and 16.8 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

NAC-IDS can be a standard treatment option for patients with a tumour in the triangular ligament, in whom complete surgery is difficult.

Re-thinking the prognostic significance of positive peritoneal cytology in endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Whether abnormal peritoneal cytology (PC) is an independent prognostic factor in endometrial cancer (EC) remains controversial. This study aimed to re-think the prognostic significance of PC in not only all EC patients but also in various subgroups with similar clinicopathological and biological characteristics.

METHODS

EC patients who underwent primary surgery of at least a hysterectomy and were pathologically diagnosed with EC in four hospitals affiliated with the Jikei University School of Medicine were retrospectively reviewed. The prognostic significance of PC was evaluated with univariate and multivariate analyses in the entire cohort and subgroups stratified by surgical stages (early/advanced stages), tumor types (types 1/2), and risk classifications (low/intermediate/high).

RESULTS

Of 1963 EC cases, 1616 met the inclusion criteria. Positive PC was identified as an adverse prognostic factor in analyses of all EC cases and in all subgroup analyses stratified by surgical stages and tumor types. In survival curve comparisons, the progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival in early-stage patients with positive PC were clearly located between those of stage II patients with negative PC and stage III patients. In the subgroup analyses stratified by risk classification in early-stage EC, positive PC was related to poorer PFS in the intermediate- and high-risk groups but not in the low-risk group.

CONCLUSION

PC status was an independent prognostic factor of EC in all stages and tumor types. Early PC-positive cases, except for the low-risk group, may be recommended for upstaging and should be carefully managed compared with PC-negative cases.

Correlation of World Health Organization 2010 Classification for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasms with the Prognosis of Ovarian Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: Kansai Clinical Oncology Group-Protocol Review Committee/Intergroup Study

BACKGROUND

In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a classification system introducing neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) of the female reproductive tract, excluding the ovaries. This study aimed to evaluate whether retrospective adaption of the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NEN classification is feasible for ovarian NENs (O-NENs) and correlates with prognosis.

METHODS

Sixty-eight patients diagnosed with carcinoid, small cell carcinoma (pulmonary type), paraganglioma, non-small/large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), mixed NEC, or undifferentiated carcinomas at 20 institutions in Japan were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. We identified O-NENs through central pathological review using a common slide set, followed by reclassification according to WHO 2010 guidelines for GEP-NENs. A proportional hazards model was used to assess the association of prognostic factors (age, stage, performance status, histology, and residual disease) with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

RESULTS

Of the 68 enrolled patients, 48 were eligible for analysis. All carcinoids (n = 32) were reclassified as NET G1/G2, whereas 14 of 16 carcinomas were reclassified as NEC/mixed adeno-NEC (MANEC) (Fisher's exact test; p < 0.01). The OS/PFS was 49.0/42.5 months and 6.5/3.9 months for NET G1/G2 and NEC/MANEC, respectively. Histology revealed that NEC/MANEC was associated with increased risk of death (HR = 48.0; 95% CI, 3.93-586; p < 0.01) and disease progression (HR = 51.6; 95% CI, 5.54-480; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Retrospective adaption of GEP-NEN classification to O-NENs is feasible and correlates well with the prognosis of O-NENs. This classification could be introduced for ovarian tumors.

Angioscopic evaluation of vascular healing at 1 and 12 months after drug-coated stent implantation

Background

Polymer- and carrier-free Biolimus-A9-coated stent (DCS) is expected better vascular healing compared with conventional durable polymer drug-eluting stents (DES). Moreover, DCS had been demonstrated in clinical trials to allow one-month short dual antiplatelet therapy, which might achieve sufficient healing at only 1 month after implantation. However, the process of vascular healing after DCS implantation has not been elucidated by angioscopic observation.

Purpose

To evaluate the process of vascular healing at 1 month and 12 months after DCS implantation.

Methods

This study included 57 patients treated with DCS or durable polymer everolimus-eluting stents (EES) in our hospital from April 2017 to April 2019. Firstly, the angioscopic findings of DCS at 1 month (n=16) and 12 months (n=14) after implantation were respectively compared with EES at 12 months after implantation (EES-12, n=35) as a standard healing status of DES. Secondary, angioscopic findings of DCS at 1 month and 12 months after implantation were compared among the serially observed eight patients. Neointimal coverage (NIC) grade, yellow colour grade, and the presence of thrombus were evaluated. NIC grade was classified as grade 0 (no neointimal coverage), grade 1 (struts were bulged into lumen but covered), grade 2 (struts were embedded in the neointima but visible), or grade 3 (struts were fully embedded and invisible). Yellow colour grade was classified as grade 0 (white), grade 1 (light yellow), grade 2 (yellow), or grade 3 (intensive yellow).

Results

At 1 month after DCS implantation, dominant NIC grade was lower (0.3±0.5 vs. 1.5±0.7, p&lt;0.001) and the frequency of thrombus was higher (38% vs. 6%, p=0.008) than EES-12. On the other hands, at 12 months after DCS implantation, dominant NIC grade was higher (2.1±0.6 vs. 1.5±0.7, p=0.013) and the frequency of thrombus was not different (7% vs. 6%, p=1.000) in comparison with EES-12. By serial observation of DCS, dominant NIC grade was higher at 12 months than at 1 month (2.3±0.5 vs. 0.4±0.5, p&lt;0.001), while yellow colour grade (1.0±0.5 vs. 1.5±1.2, p=0.227) and the frequency of thrombus adhesion (0% vs. 38%, p=0.200) were not different.

Conclusion

Compared with EES-12, vascular healing of DCS was inferior at 1 month but superior at 12 months.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Weight loss early after discharge predicts the risk of rehospitalization in non-obese patients with heart failure preserved ejection fraction

Background

Weight loss (WL) has been considered as a prognostic factor in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the prognosis and associated factors of WL in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) have remained unclear.

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the prevalence, prognosis, and clinical characteristics of worse prognosis based on the identified WL after discharge in HFpEF.

Methods

The study was conducted as a part of a multicenter cohort study (Flagship). The cohort study enrolled ambulatory HF who hospitalized due to acute HF or exacerbation of chronic HF. Patients with severe cognitive, psychological disorders or readmitted within 6-month after discharge were excluded in the study. WL was defined as ≥5% weight loss in 6-month after discharge and HFpEF was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥50% at discharge. Age, gender, etiology, prior HF hospitalization, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP), anemia (hemoglobin; male &lt;13g/dL, female &lt;12g/dL), serum albumin, Geriatric Depression Scale, hand grip strength and comorbidities were collected at discharge. Patients were stratified according to their body mass index (BMI) at discharge as non-obese (BMI &lt;25) or obese (BMI ≥25). We analyzed the association between WL and HF rehospitalization from 6 month to 2 years after discharge using Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and Cox regression analysis adjusted for age and gender, and clinical characteristics associated to worse prognosis in WL using logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders in HFpEF.

Results

A total of 619 patients with HFpEF were included in the analysis. The prevalence of WL was 12.9% in 482 non-obese and 15.3% in 137 obese patients. During 2 years, 72 patients were readmitted for HF (non-obese: 48, obese: 24). WL in non-obese independently associated with poor prognosis (hazard ratio: 2.2: 95% confidence interval: 1.13–4.25) after adjustment for age and sex, while WL in obese patients did not. Logistic regression analysis chose age (odds ratio 1.02 per 1 year; 1.00–1.05), anemia (2.14; 1.32–3.48), and BNP ≥200pg/mL or NT-proBNP ≥900pg/mL (1.83; 1.18–2.86) as independent associated factors for worse prognosis of WL in non-obese patients.

Conclusion

In HFpEF, WL in early after discharge in non-obese elderly patients may be a prognostic indicator for HF rehospitalization. HF management including WL prevention along with controlling anemia is likely to improve prognosis in this population.

Kaplan Meier survival curves

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): A Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Analysis of risk factors for patients with early-stage cervical cancer: A study of 374 patients

AIM

This study aimed to identify the postoperative histological features affecting the prognosis of patients with early-stage cervical cancer who underwent open radical hysterectomy.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled 374 patients with pT1a, 1b1 and 2a1 early-stage cervical cancer who underwent open radical hysterectomy between 2001 and 2018. Survival outcomes were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and compared with log-rank test. Using the Cox proportional hazards regression test, we conducted a multivariate analysis for disease-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

Others histology, including other epithelial tumors and neuroendocrine tumors, had a significantly worse prognosis in both disease-free survival and overall survival than those of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (hazard ratio, 4.37 and 11.76; P = 0.006 and P = 0.002, respectively), along with lymph node metastasis (hazard ratio, 2.99 and 7.03; P = 0.009 and P = 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Others histology including adenosquamous carcinoma had a poor prognosis in early-stage cervical cancer as with high-risk factors.

Molecular stratification of endometrioid ovarian carcinoma predicts clinical outcome

Endometrioid ovarian carcinoma (EnOC) demonstrates substantial clinical and molecular heterogeneity. Here, we report whole exome sequencing of 112 EnOC cases following rigorous pathological assessment. We detect a high frequency of mutation in CTNNB1 (43%), PIK3CA (43%), ARID1A (36%), PTEN (29%), KRAS (26%), TP53 (26%) and SOX8 (19%), a recurrently-mutated gene previously unreported in EnOC. POLE and mismatch repair protein-encoding genes were mutated at lower frequency (6%, 18%) with significant co-occurrence. A molecular taxonomy is constructed, identifying clinically distinct EnOC subtypes: cases with TP53 mutation demonstrate greater genomic complexity, are commonly FIGO stage III/IV at diagnosis (48%), are frequently incompletely debulked (44%) and demonstrate inferior survival; conversely, cases with CTNNB1 mutation, which is mutually exclusive with TP53 mutation, demonstrate low genomic complexity and excellent clinical outcome, and are predominantly stage I/II at diagnosis (89%) and completely resected (87%). Moreover, we identify the WNT, MAPK/RAS and PI3K pathways as good candidate targets for molecular therapeutics in EnOC.

Clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: a clinical and molecular perspective

Clear cell carcinoma of the ovary has distinct biology and clinical behavior. There are significant geographical and racial differences in the incidence of clear cell carcinoma compared with other epithelial ovarian tumors. Patients with clear cell carcinoma are younger, tend to present at an early stage, and their tumors are commonly associated with endometriosis, which is widely accepted as a direct precursor of clear cell carcinoma and has been identified pathologically in approximately 50% of clear cell carcinoma cases. The most frequent and important specific gene alterations in clear cell carcinoma are mutations of AT-rich interaction domain 1A (ARID1A) (~50% of cases) and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) (~50% cases). More broadly, subgroups of clear cell carcinoma have been identified based on C-APOBEC (apolipoprotein B mRNA editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide-like) and C-AGE (age-related) mutational signatures. Gene expression profiling shows upregulation of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-beta (HNF1β) and oxidative stress-related genes, and has identified epithelial-like and mesenchymal-like tumor subgroups. Although the benefit of platinum-based chemotherapy is not clearly defined it remains the mainstay of first-line therapy. Patients with early-stage disease have a favorable clinical outcome but the prognosis of patients with advanced-stage or recurrent disease is poor. Alternative treatment strategies are required to improve patient outcome and the development of targeted therapies based on molecular characteristics is a promising approach. Improved specificity of the histological definition of this tumor type is helping these efforts but, due to the rarity of clear cell carcinoma, international collaboration will be essential to design appropriately powered, large-scale clinical trials.

P92 A novel method of correcting the left ventricular stroke volume by Doppler echocardiography: comparison with multidetector computed tomography

Background

Although transthoracic Doppler echocardiography is widely used for estimating left ventricular stroke volume (SV), accelerated blood flow in the left ventricular (LV) outflow tract may lead to overestimation. SV can be calculated accurately from left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volume determined by multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). However, radiation exposure as well as the use of contrast medium hampers its routine use.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the correction of SV measured by pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography (SVdop) can accurately predicts SV obtained by MDCT (SVct).

Methods： We enrolled consecutive 61 patients who underwent both MDCT and transthoracic echocardiography. Patients with moderate or severe valvular diseases and valve replacement surgery were excluded. Correction of SV was explored with SVct as a reference.

Results： Univariate analysis showed that SVdop (r = 0.42, P = 0.0007) and patient age (r=-0.50, P &lt; 0.0001) were significantly correlated with SVct. On the other hand, left ventricular ejection fraction calculated by Teicholz method (EFteich) (r = 0.19, P = 0.14), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.07, P = NS), and LV mass index (r=-0.02, P = NS) were not correlated with SVct. Multivariate analysis showed that SVdop, patient age and EFteich were the independent predictive factors for SVct (R2 = 0.49, P &lt; 0.0001). Based on these correlations, we postulated SV as: corrected SV = SVdop × 0.40 + EFteich × 0.46 – age × 0.67 + 44.77. As expected, the correlation between corrected SV and SVct significantly improved (r = 0.70, P &lt; 0.0001). Bland-Altman plot analysis showed that corrected SV significantly reduced the variation between SVdop and SVct, and diminished the overestimation of SVdop (Figure).

Conclusion： The new correction formula of SVdop may correct the overestimation of SV obtained by pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography, although the formula remains to be validated in a separate cohort of patients.

Abstract P92 Figure

A simple method of quantifying chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy using PainVision PS-2100®

AIM

This study aimed to validate a simplified method of quantifying chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy using the PainVision PS-2100^® (PV) electrical perception system.

METHODS

We assessed patients diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or peritoneal cancer and were about to undergo first-time paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy. Peripheral neuropathy was assessed before and after chemotherapy administration in all patients according to the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Version 4.0 (NCI-CTCAE4.0), using a conventional assessment in combination with the PV system. The PV device comprises electrodes attached to the ulnar side of the forearm and the first joint of index fingers on both the left and right sides to measure the electrical perceptual threshold. The average of three threshold measurements was recorded for each patient.

RESULTS

Thirty female patients (age 51.6 ± 12.2 [mean ± SD]) were included, and median number of chemotherapy drug treatments was 5 (first quartile: 4, second quartile: 5, and third quartile: 5). Twenty-seven patients (90%) reported posttreatment numbness; NCI-CTCAE4.0 perceptual anomaly grades were as follows: G1, 57 (40%); G2, 19 (13%); and G3, 7 (5%). A positive correlation was identified between right medial side PV threshold score and perceptual anomaly grade on measurements of the inner right-hand side only.

CONCLUSION

Our preliminary results suggest that peripheral neuropathy may be quantified using PV. As CIPN often lowers QOL, it needs to be appropriately evaluated. Future studies with a larger patient cohort and methodological refinements to improve accuracy are warranted.

P6322Trajectories of functional limitations during 14 months after discharge among patients with heart failure: a multicenter cohort study

Background

Severity of functional limitations (FLs) has been considered as a prognostic factor in patients with heart failure (HF). However, trajectory patterns of FLs after discharge and their associated factors have remained unclear.

Purpose

This study aimed to explore trajectories of FLs after discharge and to examine clinical characteristics based on the identified trajectories.

Methods

This study was performed as a part of a multicenter cohort study. The cohort study enrolled hospitalized patients due to acute HF or exacerbation of chronic HF and who were able to walk at discharge. Patients with severe cognitive or psychological disorders or less than 6-month life expectancy were excluded. FLs were assessed using Performance Measure for Activities of Daily Living-8 (PMADL-8; higher scores indicate worse FLs) at discharge and 1-, 6-, 10- and 14-month after discharge. To identify FLs trajectories getting worse after discharge, we excluded patients already having severe FLs at discharge (PMADL-8 ≥21, a cut off value for predicting poor prognosis). Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) was conducted to identify distinct PMADL-8 trajectories. Then, associated factors of trajectory group that showed increasing FLs after discharge were examined using logistic regression analysis adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 953 patients were included in the analysis (age: 70.6±11.8 years, men: 70.9%, left ventricular ejection fraction <40%: 41.3%). GBTM identified four PMADL-8 trajectories: two separate trajectories where PMADL-8 remained low (T1: 14.1%, T2: 31.3%), mildly increasing PMADL-8 trajectory (T3: 41.0%) and rapidly increasing PMADL-8 trajectory (T4: 13.6%) (Figure). Logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio 1.05, per 1 year; 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.07), women (2.12; 1.31–3.45), brain natriuretic peptide ≥200 pg/mL (1.88; 1.10–3.21), estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73m2 (2.50; 1.41–4.41), depression (2.34; 1.44–3.80), and re-hospitalization due to HF during 1-year follow-up (2.85; 1.56–5.21) were independent associated factors of T4 group.

Figure 1. Trajectories of PMADL-8

Conclusions

The high-risk population for increasing FLs after discharge was identified by GBTM. The findings of this study suggest the importance of long-term HF management for preventing FLs after discharge especially among those with older age, female gender and depression.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science [16H01862].

296Clinical benefit of assessing cognitive function in frail patients with heart failure: a multicenter prospective cohort study

Background

Cognitive decline is highly prevalent in patients with heart failure (HF) and increases the risk of hospital readmission or mortality due to poor self-care ability. Although cognitive decline often coexists with physical frailty (PF) in HF, the clinical utility of combined assessment of both cognitive function and PF remains unclear.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the prognostic value of assessing cognitive function and PF in patients with HF.

Methods

This prospective study was performed as a multicenter cohort study in Japan (FLAGSHIP). We enrolled 1611 patients admitted for acute HF or exacerbation of chronic HF and who were able to walk at discharge. Patients with severe dementia [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores <18], severe psychological disorders or less than 6-month life expectancy were excluded. From data at discharge, we collected data on cognitive function, PF, age, gender, New York Heart Association class, left ventricular ejection fraction, brain natriuretic peptide, estimate glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin, depression (5-item geriatric depression scale ≥2) and comorbidities, including atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, stroke, and hyponatremia. PF was defined as ≥2 of the followings based on our previous publication: usual walking speed <0.8 m/s; grip strength <26 kg (men) or <17 kg (women); Performance Measure of Activity in Daily Living-8 ≥21; body mass index <20 kg/m2. Cognitive function was assessed by MMSE. We selected the optimal cutoff point of MMSE that predict a worse outcome by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Study outcome was a composite outcome of rehospitalization for worsening HF or all-cause mortality within 2 years after discharge. We used Cox proportional-hazard models to examine the association between the presence of cognitive decline and PF and 2-years prognosis, controlling for potential confound factors.

Results

A total of 507 events (31.5%) were observed (400 HF rehospitalization, 27 cardiac death, 80 non-cardiac death). The optimal cutoff point of MMSE was 28 (the area under the ROC curve: 0.58, p<0.01, sensitivity: 71.0%, specificity: 41.0%). There was a significant difference in event-free survival across the groups stratified by cognitive decline (MMSE <28) and PF (Figure). After adjusting for all variables, coexistence of both cognitive decline and PF was independently associated with 2-years prognosis (hazard ratio: 1.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.19–1.94).

Conclusion

Our data shows that even a slight decline in cognitive function leads to an increased risk of death or HF rehospitalization in frail patients with HF. Combined assessment both cognitive function and PF improves risk stratification for readmission and mortality in patients with HF.

Acknowledgement/Funding

This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science [16H01862].

Hormone receptor expression patterns define clinically meaningful subgroups of endometrioid ovarian carcinoma

Background

Numerous studies have investigated the association between hormone receptor expression and clinical outcome in ovarian carcinoma (OC); however, these have largely focussed on serous OCs, with few studies reporting specifically on endometrioid OCs (EnOC). Where analyses have been stratified by histotype, expression has been assessed using the percentage of positive tumor cells, without accounting for nuclear expression intensity.

Methods

Here we assess the expression levels of progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor alpha (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) using histoscore – a nuclear scoring method incorporating both proportion of positive cells and the intensity of nuclear staining – across a cohort of 107 WT1 negative EnOCs.

Results

Hierarchical clustering by PR, ER and AR histoscores identified four EnOC subgroups (PR+/ER+, PR+/ER−, PR−/ER+ and PR−/ER−). EnOC patients in the PR+/ER+ and PR+/ER− groups displayed favorable outcome (multivariable HR for disease-specific survival 0.05 [0.01–0.35] and 0.05 [0.00–0.51]) compared to the PR−/ER+ group. Ten-year survival for stage II PR^high and PR^low cases was 94.1% and 42.4%. ER^high EnOC patients (PR+/ER+, PR−/ER+) had higher body mass index compared to ER^low cases (P = 0.015) and high grade serous OC patients (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

These data demonstrate that endometrioid OC cases with high PR expression display markedly favorable outcome. Stage II EnOCs with high PR expression represent potential candidates for de-escalation of first-line therapy. Future work should seek to characterise the sensitivity of PR and ER positive EnOCs to endocrine therapy.

•

We identify four subgroups of endometrioid ovarian carcinoma (EnOC) defined by hormone receptor expression patterns.

•

EnOC patients in the PR^high (PR+/ER+, PR+/ER−) groups demonstrate markedly favorable outcome.

•

Stage II EnOC patients in the PR^high groups display a ten-year survival of approximately 95%.

•

ER^high (PR+/ER+, PR−/ER+) EnOC patients had a higher body mass index vs ER^low cases and high grade serous carcinoma patients.

Molecular stratification of endometrioid ovarian carcinomas

5553

Background: Endometrioid ovarian carcinomas (EC) have been historically under-investigated. We sought to determine the molecular landscape of contemporarily defined EC using whole exome sequencing (WES). Methods: Tumours diagnosed as EC between May 1980 and December 2013 were identified through the Edinburgh Ovarian Cancer Database. Pathology review was performed according to WHO 2014. Other pathologies including WT1 positive HGSOC were excluded. A selected cohort underwent WES and were analysed for single nucleotide and copy number variants across a panel of genes previously reported as mutated in endometrial, ovarian or pan cancer studies. Tissue microarrays were stained for ER, PR and AR. Multivariable analysis for disease specific survival (DSS) was performed. Results: 125 tumours were included. 61 tumours of all grades underwent WES. 5 molecular groups were identified based on the presence of TP53 mutations (45.9%); or an EClike profile (one or more mutations in ARID1A (41.0%); CTNNB1 (31.1%), PTEN (24.6%) or PIK3CA (23.0%)). Tumours with no mutations in EClike genes were termed ECnull. Each group demonstrated differential DSS (table). Some ECnull: TP53mut tumours also displayed mutations in KRAS, APC and mismatch repair genes. Unsupervised clustering analysis based on the top 100 differentially mutated genes across the dataset validated these groups. Somatic copy number alterations were significantly higher in the TP53mu t groups than the TP53wt groups (P<0.0001), and were identified across EClike genes in the ECnull groups. A PR histoscore of >150, but not ER or AR, was more frequent in the TP53wt group compared to the TP53mut groups (P=0.003). TP53mut status (P=0.0182) and PR histoscore ≤150 (P=0.0115) were independently associated with DSS. Conclusions: EC is a heterogeneous disease comprising 5 molecular subgroups each demonstrating differential clinical outcome. TP53 mutations and PR histoscore ≤150 are independently associated with poor prognosis. [Table: see text]

Modified Gant-Miwa-Thiersch procedure (mucosal plication with anal encircling) for rectal prolapse

AIM

Rectal prolapse (RP) is usually associated with elderly women and is well recognized as having a detrimental effect on quality of life. A number of surgical procedures for RP are available, but morbidity and mortality are substantial. The Gant-Miwa-Thiersch procedure (GMT) has been frequently used for RP in Japan. However, as GMT has a high recurrence rate it is not widely used elsewhere. The aim of this study was to evaluate a modified version of GMT (mGMT) in comparison with other procedures.

METHOD

mGMT was performed under spinal or local anaesthesia in 187 patients with RP. No normal mucosa was left between the tags and lateral wounds were created in the Thiersch procedure. Morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates were recorded.

RESULTS

No serious postoperative complications and no operative deaths occurred after mGMT. Eight per cent of patients suffered from infection of the strings. The overall recurrence rate after mGMT was 7.5% with a median follow-up period of 13.8 years.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of these results, we consider that mGMT has a number of advantages: it is minimally invasive, does not require general anaesthesia, is technically simple to perform and is associated with satisfactory outcomes and low morbidity. mGMT should be considered an option for the treatment of RP in elderly patients.

Abstract P4-06-28: Doxorubicin induces cellular senescence in human breast cancer cells and sensitizes them to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes

[Background]“Cellular senescence” is a state in which cells undergo irreversible cell cycle arrest in response to various cellular stresses. Senescence is induced in not only normal cells but also cancer cells when anti-cancer agents trigger DNA damage. Recent studies have revealed additional feature of senescent cells: increased secretion of various secretory proteins, such as inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and MMPs. This newly recognized senescent phenotype, termed senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), reportedly contribute to tumor recurrence and promotion. Alternatively, senescent cancer cells could be good targets in anti-cancer immunotherapy because they are cell cycle-arrested.

[Objective]In this study, we determined whether ”cellular senescence” could be induced by a chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DXR) and whether senescent cancer cells might increase their susceptibility to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes using human breast cancer cells.

[Methods and Results]A triple-negative (negative for ER, PR, and HER2) human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231) was used. This cell line was treated with DXR for 2 days and examined for their appearance microscopically. The DXR treatment (500 nM) decreased their proliferating ability and increased their cell size. Colony formation assay revealed that cancer cells significantly decreased the number of colonies even with lower doses (3 nM) of DXR. In immunoblot assay, the DXR treatment increased the protein expression of p21, which inhibits cell cycle. In a flow cytometric assay after staining with SPIDER-β-gal, the DXR treatment (500 nM) increased the expression of β-gal in MDA-MB-231 cells. The induction of SA-β-gal in DXR-treated cancer cells were also confirmed by confocal imaging. In addition, the DXR treatment (500 nM) for 2 days beforehand increased their subsequent ability to produce IL-6 and IL-8. Although the DXR treatment (500 nM) decreased the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on cancer cells, this treatment sensitized them to anti-EGFR chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-lymphocytes in apoptosis assay.

[Conclusion]These results suggest that a chemotherapeutic drug DXR can render MDA-MB-231 cells to be senescent and increase their sensitivity to antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. These findings may provide a rationale of combination of chemotherapy and T cell-based anti-cancer immunotherapy.

Citation Format: Inao T, Iida Y, Kotani H, Harada M. Doxorubicin induces cellular senescence in human breast cancer cells and sensitizes them to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-06-28.

PIK3CA and KRAS mutations in cell free circulating DNA are useful markers for monitoring ovarian clear cell carcinoma

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) exhibits distinct phenotypes, such as resistance to chemotherapy, poor prognosis and an association with endometriosis. Biomarkers and imaging techniques currently in use are not sufficient for reliable diagnosis of this tumor or prediction of therapeutic response. It has recently been reported that analysis of somatic mutations in cell-free circulating DNA (cfDNA) released from tumor tissues can be useful for tumor diagnosis. In the present study, we attempted to detect mutations in PIK3CA and KRAS in cfDNA from OCCC patients using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). Here we show that we were able to specifically detect PIK3CA-H1047R and KRAS-G12D in cfDNA from OCCC patients and monitor their response to therapy. Furthermore, we found that by cleaving wild-type PIK3CA using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we were able to improve the sensitivity of the ddPCR method and detect cfDNA harboring PIK3CA-H1047R. Our results suggest that detection of mutations in cfDNA by ddPCR would be useful for the diagnosis of OCCC, and for predicting its recurrence.

Change in Impulse Response of Heart Rate to Instantaneous Lung Volume

A method is presented that relates the heart rate variability (HRV) to the change in instantaneous lung volume (ILV) under non-stationary conditions. Methods utilizing a recursive least squares (RLS) algorithm and a modified Widrow LMS algorithm are proposed to keep track of changes in impulse response of HRV to ILV. Results are presented of real data analysis and a dedicated system is proposed utilizing DSP chips for the real time data processing.

Update on rare epithelial ovarian cancers: based on the Rare Ovarian Tumors Young Investigator Conference

There has been significant progress in the understanding of the pathology and molecular biology of rare ovarian cancers, which has helped both diagnosis and treatment. This paper provides an update on recent advances in the knowledge and treatment of rare ovarian cancers and identifies gaps that need to be addressed by further clinical research. The topics covered include: low-grade serous, mucinous, and clear cell carcinomas of the ovary. Given the molecular heterogeneity and the histopathological rarity of these ovarian cancers, the importance of designing adequately powered trials or finding statistically innovative ways to approach the treatment of these rare tumors has been emphasized. This paper is based on the Rare Ovarian Tumors Conference for Young Investigators which was presented in Tokyo 2015 prior to the 5th Ovarian Cancer Consensus Conference of the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG).

Dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma: A report of three cases and review of the literature

Dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma, which is defined microscopically as the co-existence of undifferentiated carcinoma and grade 1 or 2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma, is an aggressive type of cancer regardless of the percentage of undifferentiated components. It is reported that undifferentiated carcinoma comprises 9% of endometrial carcinoma. The percentage of dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma has been hypothesized to be 40% of undifferentiated carcinoma. A precise pathological diagnosis is essential for defining the appropriate therapeutic approach and prognosis. Furthermore, since there is an association between dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma and Lynch syndrome, it is important to identify the patient's genetic background. The current case report presents three cases of dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma treated in our hospital. In immunohistochemical staining for DNA mismatch-repair (MMR) proteins in dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma, the components of undifferentiated carcinoma demonstrated a loss of MMR protein expression, and it is suspected that there may be a germline mutation in these cases. Therefore, Lynch syndrome should be suspected and the appropriate genetic approaches in cases of dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma should be considered.

Prognostic impact of interleukin-6 expression in stage I ovarian clear cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) frequently presents at an early stage. In stage I OCCC, the prognosis differs according to substage. In particular, predictive biomarkers and new treatment strategies are needed for stage IC2/IC3 disease. We investigated tumor biology and prognostic factors for stage I OCCC from a clinicopathological perspective, including the expression of ARID1A and IL-6, which are considered critical for OCCC carcinogenesis.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 192 patients with stage I OCCC treated at a single institution was performed. We calculated overall survival (OS) with respect to 12 clinicopathological parameters that included the unique and diverse histological features of OCCC.

RESULTS

The estimated 5-year OS rate in patients with all stage I OCCC was 88.9% during a median of 91months of follow-up. The multivariate analysis indicated that substage classification and IL-6 expression status were associated with poor OS (p=0.010 and p=0.027, respectively). Loss of ARID1A expression had no impact on survival; however, it was associated with substage (p=0.001), capsule rupture status (p=0.011), and ascites cytology (p=0.016). No clear association was found between ARID1A and IL-6 expressions. Histological findings, including the presence of endometriosis, adenofibroma, architectural pattern, and tumor cell type, showed no prognostic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Both substage classification and IL-6 expression status may be independent prognostic factors in stage I OCCC. Therefore, IL-6 molecular stratification may be crucial in optimizing therapeutic strategies for early stage OCCC to improve survival.

Clinical and genetic analysis of recurrent adult-type granulosa cell tumor of the ovary: Persistent preservation of heterozygous c.402C>G FOXL2 mutation

BACKGROUND

Adult-type granulosa cell tumors of the ovary (aGCTs) are rare tumors that represent 2-5% of ovarian malignancies. The prognosis of this tumor is favorable, and it is characterized by slow progression. 10-30% of these tumors recur after 4-7 years of the primary surgery and the 5-year survival rate from the first recurrence is 55%, for the incompletely resected patients. At this time, complete resection is the only prognostic factor for better outcome, and establishing a novel strategy for identification and/or treatment of recurrent tumors is crucial. After the discovery of heterozygous c.402C>G FOXL2 mutations in 97% of cases of aGCT, much effort has been made to find the role of the mutation on the pathogenesis of aGCT, however, little is known about the role of the mutation in disease progression.

METHODS

We analyzed the clinical data of 56 aGCT patients to find a marker of recurrence. In particular, we compared the FOXL2 status in 5 matched primary and recurrent samples by immunohistochemistry, and TaqMan allelic discrimination assay to address the role of FOXL2 in potential mechanisms of recurrence.

RESULTS

The clinical data analysis was consistent with complete resection as an indicator of disease eradication, though the sample size was limited. The genetic analysis showed all the samples, including recurrent tumor samples up to 14 years after the primary surgery, expressed heterozygous c.402C>G FOXL2 mutation and the FOXL2 protein expression.

CONCLUSION

This report describes the preservation of heterozygous c.402C>G FOXL2 mutation in recurrent aGCTs. This finding adds further credence to the concept that the c.402C>G FOXL2 mutation is oncogenic and integral to this disease.

Polypoid endometriosis of the ovary and müllerianosis of pelvic lymph nodes mimicking an ovarian carcinoma with lymph node metastasis

Polypoid endometriosis is a distinctive variant of endometriosis with histological features simulating those of endometrial polyps. Müllerianosis is characterized by the presence of lesions at any site containing admixtures of endosalpingiosis, endometriosis, and endocervicosis. Here, we report a rare case of polypoid endometriosis of the ovary with müllerianosis of the pelvic lymph nodes in a 44-year-old woman without a past history of pelvic surgery. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an ovarian tumor containing papillary nodules up to 3.0 cm in diameter and left pelvic lymph node enlargement. Nodules in ovarian tumor showed heterogeneous high intensity on T2-weighted image and high intensity on diffusion-weighted image and were mildly enhanced by gadolinium contrast material. Enlarged lymph node was markedly enhanced by gadolinium. We considered polypoid endometriosis in the differential diagnosis according to the results of the magnetic resonance imaging, and polypoid endometriosis was included in intraoperative consultation, however, ovarian carcinoma with lymph node metastasis could not be denied. According to histological examination, the final diagnosis was determined as polypoid endometriosis with glandular hyperplasia of the left ovary and müllerianosis in the obturator lymph nodes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of polypoid endometriosis and müllerianosis of the pelvic lymph node.

Success rate and safety of tumor debulking with diaphragmatic surgery for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer and peritoneal cancer

PURPOSE

In advanced epithelial ovarian and peritoneal cancer, residual tumor diameter correlates with prognosis; therefore, maximum debulking and optimal surgery (OS) for residual tumors <1 cm is warranted. Here, we clarified the efficacy of tumor debulking with diaphragmatic surgery (DS).

METHODS

In 45 patients with epithelial ovarian or peritoneal cancer who underwent DS (ten, full-thickness resection; 35, stripping) between January 2010 and December 2013 at two related institutions, we retrospectively evaluated OS safety and success by surgical duration, blood loss, complications, hospitalization stay, and residual tumor diameter and site.

RESULTS

Blood loss was 4,090.8 and 2,847.9 mL; surgical duration was 485.2 and 479.5 min; hospitalization stay was 21.7 and 24.8 days; and complications included intraoperative thoracotomy in 17 and 7 patients, unexpected thoracotomy in 11 and 3, chest drain insertion in one and three, and pleural effusion in 14 and 7, in the primary debulking surgery (PDS) and interval debulking surgery (IDS) groups, respectively. OS was successful in all patients with complete surgery (CS: no residual tumor) achieved in 16 (50.0%) and 9 (69.2%), residual tumor diameter < 5 mm in 11 (34.4%) and 2 (15.4%), and residual tumor diameter < 1 cm in 5 (15.6%) and 2 (15.4%) in the PDS and IDS groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor debulking surgery with DS resulted in controllable blood loss, and OS was successful in all patients without severe complications or postoperative treatment delay. Currently, OS is considered to have very few benefits over CS; thus, the success rate of CS rate should be improved while maintaining safety.