Tumor collection/processing under physioxia uncovers highly relevant signaling networks and drug sensitivity

Preclinical studies of primary cancer cells are typically done after tumors are removed from patients or animals at ambient atmospheric oxygen (O2, ~21%). However, O2 concentrations in organs are in the ~3 to 10% range, with most tumors in a hypoxic or 1 to 2% O2 environment in vivo. Although effects of O2 tension on tumor cell characteristics in vitro have been studied, these studies are done only after tumors are first collected and processed in ambient air. Similarly, sensitivity of primary cancer cells to anticancer agents is routinely examined at ambient O2. Here, we demonstrate that tumors collected, processed, and propagated at physiologic O2 compared to ambient air display distinct differences in key signaling networks including LGR5/WNT, YAP, and NRF2/KEAP1, nuclear reactive oxygen species, alternative splicing, and sensitivity to targeted therapies. Therefore, evaluating cancer cells under physioxia could more closely recapitulate their physiopathologic status in the in vivo microenvironment.

Cell Origins of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

High-grade serous ovarian cancer, also known as high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), is the most common and deadliest type of ovarian cancer. HGSC appears to arise from the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum. As most HGSC cases present with widespread peritoneal metastases, it is often not clear where HGSC truly originates. Traditionally, the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) was long believed to be the origin of HGSC. Since the late 1990s, the fallopian tube epithelium has emerged as a potential primary origin of HGSC. Particularly, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), a noninvasive tumor lesion formed preferentially in the distal fallopian tube epithelium, was proposed as a precursor for HGSC. It was hypothesized that STIC lesions would progress, over time, to malignant and metastatic HGSC, arising from the fallopian tube or after implanting on the ovary or peritoneum. Many clinical studies and several mouse models support the fallopian tube STIC origin of HGSC. Current evidence indicates that STIC may serve as a precursor for HGSC in high-risk women carrying germline BRCA1 or 2 mutations. Yet not all STIC lesions appear to progress to clinical HGSCs, nor would all HGSCs arise from STIC lesions, even in high-risk women. Moreover, the clinical importance of STIC remains less clear in women in the general population, in which 85–90% of all HGSCs arise. Recently, increasing attention has been brought to the possibility that many potential precursor or premalignant lesions, though composed of microscopically—and genetically—cancerous cells, do not advance to malignant tumors or lethal malignancies. Hence, rigorous causal evidence would be crucial to establish that STIC is a bona fide premalignant lesion for metastatic HGSC. While not all STICs may transform into malignant tumors, these lesions are clearly associated with increased risk for HGSC. Identification of the molecular characteristics of STICs that predict their malignant potential and clinical behavior would bolster the clinical importance of STIC. Also, as STIC lesions alone cannot account for all HGSCs, other potential cellular origins of HGSC need to be investigated. The fallopian tube stroma in mice, for instance, has been shown to be capable of giving rise to metastatic HGSC, which faithfully recapitulates the clinical behavior and molecular aspect of human HGSC. Elucidating the precise cell(s) of origin of HGSC will be critical for improving the early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer, ultimately reducing ovarian cancer mortality.

Abstract P5-08-18: Treatment patterns and resource utilization among patients with HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer in a privately insured US population

Background

Hormone receptor positive (HR+)/HER2– tumors are the most common subtype among patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Several newer therapeutic options have become available over the last decade, but little is known about the real-world treatment patterns and health care resource use (HCRU) in privately insured women with HR+/HER2– MBC.

Methods

An analysis of Truven MarketScan databases containing medical and drug utilization and productivity data from nearly 350 US payers was conducted. Patients aged 18-64 years with an ICD-9 diagnosis code of breast cancer along with ≥2 claims for secondary malignancy between 2007 and 2013 were selected. HR+/HER2– patients were identified based on receipt of endocrine therapy (ET) and absence of HER2-targeted therapies. Use of cancer-directed treatments following MBC diagnosis was analyzed. Treatment characteristics were examined by line of therapy (LOT). Average monthly all-cause and MBC-related HCRU were descriptively assessed.

Results

A total of 5,563 women with HR+/HER2– MBC (mean [SD] age, 54 [7.8] yrs) met the selection criteria. Overall, 97% of the total sample received ≥1 cancer-directed treatment. The most common treatment was ET (85%), followed by chemotherapy (CT) (70%), radiation (62%), and surgery (11%). Treatment patterns for CT alone and ET alone, including the top regimens by LOT, are presented in Table 1. Among those receiving a second LOT, nearly 44% switched to CT in the second line after having received ET alone in the first line. During the study follow-up, 56% of patients had ≥1 all-cause inpatient admission, 49% had ≥1 all-cause emergency department visit, and 9% had a hospice admission.

Table 1. Treatment patterns by LOT in patients with HR+/HER2- MBCLine 1 Line 2 Line 3 Line 4 n=5,179 (93%)* n=2,900 (52%)* n=1,608 (29%)* n=882 (16%)*  n (%) n (%) n (%) n (%)ET Alone3265 (63)ET Alone1468 (51)ET Alone534 (33)ET Alone217 (25)Anastrozole895 (27)Fulvestrant354 (24)Fulvestrant138 (26)Fulvestrant65 (30)Letrozole782 (24)Tamoxifen258 (18)Exemestane89 (17)Exemestane44 (20)Tamoxifen577 (18)Exemestane239 (16)Letrozole82 (15)Tamoxifen25 (12)Fulvestrant428 (13)Anastrozole239 (16)Tamoxifen82 (15)Letrozole20 (9)Exemestane299 (9)Letrozole197 (13)Anastrozole65 (12)Anastrozole14 (6)CT Alone1533 (30)CT Alone1057 (36)CT Alone818 (51)CT Alone505 (57)Paclitaxel413 (27)Capecitabine331 (31)Capecitabine265 (32)Capecitabine140 (28)Capecitabine286 (19)Paclitaxel224 (21)Paclitaxel156 (19)Paclitaxel93 (18)Cyclophosphamide-Doxorubicin → Taxane93 (6)Gemcitabine63 (6)Gemcitabine70 (9)Vinorelbine55 (11)Cyclophosphamide-Docetaxel82 (5)Docetaxel46 (4)Vinorelbine54 (7)Gemcitabine52 (10)Carboplatin-Paclitaxel77 (5)Vinorelbine46 (4)Doxorubicin45 (6)Doxorubicin34 (7)*Out of total 5,563 patients. Only top CT and ET regimens are listed.

Conclusions

A substantial decrease in the use of ET, with simultaneous increase in the use of CT, was observed as patients progressed to subsequent LOTs. Nearly half of those receiving ET alone in the first LOT switched to CT in the second LOT, suggesting a need for more effective non-CT treatments to bridge unmet therapeutic needs in this patient population.

Citation Format: Goyal RK, Carter GC, Nagar SN, Smyth EN, Price GL, Huang Y-J, Bromund JL, Li L, Schilder JM, Davis KL, Kaye JA. Treatment patterns and resource utilization among patients with HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer in a privately insured US population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-08-18.

Abstract P5-08-19: Treatment patterns and resource utilization among elderly Medicare patients with HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer

Background

Therapeutic advances in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) over the last decade have led to several novel agents for the treatment of patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+)/HER2– MBC. However, current literature has little data on real-world treatment patterns and health care resource use, particularly among elderly women with HR+/HER2– MBC in the United States Medicare population.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients aged ≥66 years diagnosed with MBC during 2007 to 2011 was conducted using the SEER-Medicare database. Patients' HR and HER2 status was obtained from the SEER registry data. For patients with no HER2 data available, HER2− disease was determined based on the absence of HER2-targeted therapies within 12 months of diagnosis. Health care utilization and treatment patterns after MBC diagnosis were examined. Use of cancer-directed therapies, including chemotherapy (CT) and endocrine therapy (ET), were descriptively analyzed by line of therapy (LOT).

Results

A total of 3,622 women with HR+/HER2– MBC (mean [SD] age, 77 [7.3] years) were included. Over 90% of women received ≥1 cancer-directed treatment after MBC diagnosis, with ET being the most common (77%), followed by CT (50%), radiation (48%), and surgery (19%). Treatment with ET alone trended downward across LOTs, from 74% in the first LOT to 36% in the fourth LOT, with a corresponding increase in treatment with CT alone from 21% to 46% (Table 1). Among those receiving a second LOT, nearly 26% switched to CT in the second line after having received ET alone in the first line.

Table 1. Pharmaceutical treatment patterns by line of therapy among patients diagnosed with HR+/HER2– MBC (n = 3622)First-Line Second-Line Third-Line Fourth-Line N = 2,981 (82%)* N = 1,449 (40%)* N = 750 (21%)* N = 356 (10%)*  n (%) n (%) n (%) n (%)ET Alone2215 (74)ET Alone973 (67)ET Alone381 (51)ET Alone127 (36)Anastrozole893 (40)Fulvestrant282 (29)Fulvestrant99 (26)Fulvestrant38 (30)Letrozole602 (27)Exemestane190 (20)Exemestane76 (20)Tamoxifen27 (21)Tamoxifen253 (11)Anastrozole162 (17)Tamoxifen71 (19)Exemestane25 (20)Fulvestrant243 (11)Tamoxifen152 (16)Anastrozole46 (12)Anastrozole13 (10)Exemestane156 (7)Letrozole107 (11)Letrozole38 (10)Exemestane-FulvestrantN/ACT Alone639 (21)CT Alone336 (23)CT Alone264 (35)CT Alone165 (46)Paclitaxel136 (21)Paclitaxel76 (23)Paclitaxel78 (30)Paclitaxel39 (24)Cyclophosphamide-Docetaxel72 (11)Gemcitabine57 (17)Gemcitabine46 (17)Gemcitabine32 (19)Cyclophosphamide-Doxorubicin → Taxane69 (11)Docetaxel28 (8)Vinorelbine31 (12)Vinorelbine21 (13)Carboplatin-Paclitaxel43 (7)Vinorelbine27 (8)Docetaxel22 (8)Doxorubicin17 (10)Docetaxel39 (6)Doxorubicin21 (6)Doxorubicin21 (8)DocetaxelN/AN/A = not available (in accordance with the SEER-Medicare data use agreement, data for categories with cell size less than 11 are suppressed). *Out of total 3,622 patients. Note: Percentages do not add up to 100% as only the top CT and ET regimens are listed.

Conclusions

ET was the most common first-line treatment for elderly women with HR+/HER2– MBC in this study period. However, as patients progressed from first to fourth LOT, the proportion of patients treated with ET decreased substantially.

Citation Format: Goyal RK, Carter GC, Nagar SN, Smyth EN, Price GL, Huang Y-J, Bromund JL, Li L, Schilder JM, Davis KL, Kaye JA. Treatment patterns and resource utilization among elderly Medicare patients with HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-08-19.

Randomized Phase II Evaluation of Bevacizumab Versus Bevacizumab Plus Fosbretabulin in Recurrent Ovarian, Tubal, or Peritoneal Carcinoma: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

PURPOSE

The vascular disrupting agent fosbretabulin tromethamine selectively targets pre-existing tumor vasculature, which causes vascular shutdown and leads to cancer cell death and necrosis. Antiangiogenesis agents such as bevacizumab, a humanized antivascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody, might prevent revascularization during and after treatment with a vascular disrupting agent.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal carcinoma, measurable or detectable disease, and three or fewer prior regimens were randomly assigned to bevacizumab (15 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks) or the combination of bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) plus fosbretabulin (60 mg/m(2)) intravenously once every 3 weeks until disease progression or toxicity. Randomization was stratified by disease status (measurable v nonmeasurable), prior bevacizumab, and platinum-free interval. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). The study was designed with 80% power for a one-sided alternative at a 10% level of significance to detect a reduction in the hazard by 37.5%.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 107 patients. Median PFS was 4.8 months for bevacizumab and 7.3 months for bevacizumab plus fosbretabulin (hazard ratio, 0.69; 90% two-sided CI, 0.47 to 1.00; one-sided P = .05). The proportion responding (overall response rate) to bevacizumab was 28.2% among 39 patients with measurable disease and 35.7% among 42 patients treated with the combination. The relative probability of responding was 1.27 (90% CI, 0.74 to 2.17; one-sided P = .24). Adverse events greater than grade 3 were more common in the combination regimen than in bevacizumab only for hypertension (35% v 20%). There was one grade 3 thromboembolic event in the combination arm and one intestinal fistula in the bevacizumab only arm.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of the PFS, overall response rate, and tolerability of these two antivascular therapies, further evaluation is warranted for this chemotherapy-free regimen. Fosbretabulin in combination with bevacizumab increases the risk of hypertension.

A phase II evaluation of cediranib in the treatment of recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study

PURPOSE

Cediranib is a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors. This phase II study was conducted to assess activity and tolerability of single-agent cediranib in recurrent/persistent endometrial cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible patients had recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer after receiving one or two prior cytotoxic regimens, measurable disease, and Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) performance status of ≤2 (≤1 if two prior cytotoxic regimens given). Cediranib 30mg orally daily for a 28daycycle was administered until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity. Microvessel density (MVD) was measured in tumor tissue from initial hysterectomy specimens and correlated with clinical outcome. Primary endpoints were tumor response and surviving progression-free for six months without subsequent therapy (6-month event-free survival [EFS]).

RESULTS

Of 53 patients enrolled, 48 were evaluable for cediranib efficacy and toxicity. Median age was 65.5 years, 52% of patients had received prior radiation, and 73% of patients received only one prior chemotherapy regimen. A partial response was observed in 12.5%. Fourteen patients (29%) had six-month EFS. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 3.65 months and median overall survival (OS) 12.5 months. No grade 4 or 5 toxicities were observed. A trend towards improved PFS was found in patients whose tumors expressed high MVD.

CONCLUSION

Cediranib as a monotherapy treatment for recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer is well tolerated and met protocol set objectives for sufficient activity to warrant further investigation. MVD may be a useful biomarker for activity.

A phase II evaluation of nintedanib (BIBF-1120) in the treatment of recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer: an NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Study

INTRODUCTION

Patients presenting with advanced, recurrent, or metastatic endometrial cancer have limited treatment options. On behalf of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, we conducted this phase II trial of nintedanib (BIBF 1120), a potent small molecule triple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor of PDGFR α and β, FGFR 1/3, and VEGFR 1-3, in this population.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives were to estimate event-free survival (EFS) at 6 months and the proportion of patients who have an objective tumor response. In addition, we sought to determine the nature and degree of toxicity. Secondary objectives were to estimate progression-free and overall survival.

METHODS

This was a two-stage, single-arm phase II study. Eligible patients were treated with single-agent nintedanib at a dose of 200mg twice daily.

RESULTS

Of 37 patients enrolled, 32 were eligible. There were zero complete and three partial responses for an overall response rate of 9.4% (90% 2-sided CI=2.6-22.5%). Seven patients (21.9%; 90% 2-sided CI=10.7-37.2%) were EFS at 6 months, with one patient continuing on study at the time of this writing. Serious toxicity included the following grade 3 events: gastrointestinal toxicity (5), neutropenia (1), edema (1), hypertension (1), and liver function abnormalities (5).

CONCLUSIONS

Nintedanib lacked sufficient activity as a single agent to warrant enrollment to second stage. However, preclinical data indicate it may be synergistic with paclitaxel in a population of patients enriched for specific p53 mutations that result in loss of function. Subsequent studies may evaluate this agent in combination with paclitaxel.

Identification of the optimal pathway to reach an accurate diagnosis in the absence of an early detection strategy for ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVES

There is a lack of knowledge about the health care events experienced by individual patients that lead to a definitive diagnosis of ovarian cancer (OC). The goal of this study was to describe the various pathways and to identify an optimal path to accurate diagnosis.

METHODS

Women who were referred to gynecologic oncology for a suspected OC were enrolled to this study. Medical records (MRs) from all health care providers were obtained from the time the patient recalled first suspecting a health issue through the time of diagnosis to build a decision tree model. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted of 83,000 patients to identify the optimal pathway to reach diagnosis.

RESULTS

In the Monte Carlo simulation, gynecologic oncologists and gynecologists accounted for the most efficient diagnosis in over 37.9% and 29.2% of suspected OC cases, respectively, in terms of the least amount of time to reach diagnosis. Gynecologic oncologists were further associated with the fewest health care visits needed to reach diagnosis in 37% of the simulation cases; however, 23% of trials were indifferent to any specific provider.

CONCLUSIONS

The decision tree provides a more comprehensive view of the complexity in reaching an accurate diagnosis of OC. This analysis was able to identify the health care utilization patterns that underlie the events that occur to reach an accurate diagnosis in the setting of a suspected OC, and was able to identify the most efficient pathways that utilize the fewest health care resources in the least amount of time.

Elevated and secreted phospholipase A₂ activities as new potential therapeutic targets in human epithelial ovarian cancer

Ascites in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) promotes tumor development by mechanisms that are incompletely understood. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a major tumor-promoting factor in EOC ascites, is an enzymatic product of autotaxin (ATX) and phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2))enzymes. The contribution of PLA(2) activities to ovarian tumorigenesis was investigated. The quantitative measurement of PLA(2) activities in ascites and tissues, as well as assay conditions selective for PLA(2) subtypes, were optimized and validated. PLA(2) activities correlated with tumor-promoting activates in cell-based and in vivo assays. High activities consistent with both cytosolic and calcium-independent PLA(2) were found in human EOC ascites for the first time. Elevated PLA(2) and ATX activities were also observed in EOC compared to benign tumors and normal tissues. Cell-free and vesicle-free (S4) human EOC ascites potently promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of human EOC cells in a PLA(2)-dependent manner. LPA mediated a significant part of the cell-stimulating effects of ascites. S4 ascites stimulated tumorigenesis/metastasis in vivo, and methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate was highly effective in inhibiting EOC metastasis in mouse xenograft models. PLA(2) activity was found in conditioned media from both EOC cells and macrophages. Collectively, our work implies that PLA(2) activity is a potential marker and therapeutic target in EOC.

Abstract 4275: PLA2 activities in human epithelial ovarian cancer ascites

Ascites production is characteristic of late stage human epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and it correlates with tumor spread clinically. However, the role of this microenvironment in cancer cells and the mechanisms by which ascites promotes tumor development are not well understood. In recent years, phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes have been identified as cancer therapeutic targets focusing mainly on secreted PLA2s (sPLA2s). In this work, we optimized and validated the quantitative analytic methods to measure PLA2 activities in human EOC ascites and tissues. We found, for the first time, that both cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) and calcium-independent PLA2 (iPLA2), but not sPLA2 and autotaxin (ATX), activities (not their expression levels) in human EOC tissues and ascites (the tumor microenvironment) were significantly elevated. In addition, while cell-free (S1) and vesicle-free (S4) human EOC ascites had potent promoting activities in proliferation, migration, and invasion of human EOC cells, the PLA2 activities were involved and account for a significant portion of these activities. Moreover, in vivo studies demonstrated that methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP, a dual inhibitor of cPLA2 and iPLA2), was highly effective in inhibiting EOC tumorigenesis/metastasis in xenograft models, supporting PLA2 activities as new targets for EOC. LPA, an enzymatic product of ATX and PLA2 enzymes, mediates a significant part of the cellular effects of ascites as evidenced by 1) LPA is produced in cell-free ascites; 2) LPA production and their sensitivities to inhibitors correlate well with the cellular effects in ascites; and 3) the cellular activities were sensitive to LPAR inhibitor and siRNA against LPARs. While cPLA2 and iPLA2 are cytosolic enzymes, our findings indicate that they are associated with cell- and microvesicle-free ascites. In summary, our work implies the potential marker and therapeutic values of PLA2 activity in ovarian cancer.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4275. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4275

Low-dose abdominal radiation as a docetaxel chemosensitizer for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: a phase I study of the Gynecologic Oncology Group

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of whole abdomen radiation as a chemosensitizer of weekly docetaxel for women with recurrent epithelial ovarian fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Women were enrolled on one of three dose levels of docetaxel (20, 25, or 30 mg/m(2)) administered weekly with concurrent low-dose whole abdominal radiation given as 60 cGy bid 2 days weekly for a total of 6 weeks.

RESULTS

Thirteen women were enrolled and received 70 weekly treatments of docetaxel in combination with radiation therapy. At the first dose level, docetaxel 25mg/m(2), grade 3 fatigue and thrombocytopenia were observed. At the next dose level, docetaxel 30 mg/m(2), grade 3 febrile neutropenia, grade 4 thrombocytopenia with epistaxis, and grade 3 diarrhea were observed. Given these dose-limiting toxicities, a lower dose of docetaxel 20mg/m(2) was administered and found to be tolerable. No objective responses were observed among the 10 patients with measurable disease; however, the median progression-free survival (PFS) in all patients was 3.3 months, and 3 of the patients with measurable disease were free of tumor progression after 6 months (30%; 90% confidence interval 8.7-61%).

CONCLUSIONS

Twice weekly low-dose whole abdomen radiation during weekly docetaxel 20 mg/m(2) was well-tolerated. Given the PFS demonstrated in these women with resistant ovarian cancer, further study of whole abdominal radiation and concurrent chemotherapy may be warranted.

Prolonged survival after episiotomy recurrence of cervical cancer complicating pregnancy

BACKGROUND

We report a case of recurrent cervical cancer in an episiotomy scar and the late treatment-related sequelae.

CASE

Cervical cancer was diagnosed following a vaginal delivery, and was treated with surgery and radiotherapy. The patient developed a recurrence in her episiotomy scar, and was treated with chemoradiation. She remains without evidence of disease ten years later.

CONCLUSION

Successful treatment of recurrent cervical cancer with chemoradiation is possible, but may be associated with significant normal tissue toxicity.

A Phase II evaluation of weekly topotecan as a single agent second line therapy in persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study

PURPOSE

To estimate antitumor activity and toxicity of weekly topotecan hydrochloride in patients with persistent or recurrent cervical carcinoma who failed prior treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Women entered on study had or failed one prior chemotherapy regimen in addition to radiosensitizing chemotherapy, performance status less than 3, and adequate hematologic, renal, hepatic, and neurological function. Topotecan was infused at 3.0 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were enrolled onto this study with 25 evaluable. Twenty-two patients had received radiation and chemotherapy prior to study. A median of two and mean of three courses of chemotherapy was given (range, one to eight courses). The most frequently severe adverse events were grade 3 anemia (28%) and grade 4 (4%) along with grade 3 neutropenia (8%) and grade 4 (8%). Two patients had grade 4 thrombocytopenia. There were no complete or partial responders. Ten patients (40%) had stable disease, twelve (48%) had increasing disease, and response could not be assessed in three (12%). The median progression-free survival was 2.4 months for the patients with increasing disease and 6.2 months (3.5-8.8 months) for those with stable disease. Disease location was equally divided within and outside the irradiated field. The 12 patients with increasing disease were more likely to have disease outside the pelvic radiation field.

CONCLUSION

There were no complete or partial responders to weekly topotecan among the 25 patients in this study.

Identification and characterization of ovarian cancer-initiating cells from primary human tumors

The objective of this study was to identify and characterize a self-renewing subpopulation of human ovarian tumor cells (ovarian cancer-initiating cells, OCICs) fully capable of serial propagation of their original tumor phenotype in animals. Ovarian serous adenocarcinomas were disaggregated and subjected to growth conditions selective for self-renewing, nonadherent spheroids previously shown to derive from tissue stem cells. To affirm the existence of OCICs, xenoengraftment of as few as 100 dissociated spheroid cells allowed full recapitulation of the original tumor (grade 2/grade 3 serous adenocarcinoma), whereas >10(5) unselected cells remained nontumorigenic. Stemness properties of OCICs (under stem cell-selective conditions) were further established by cell proliferation assays and reverse transcription-PCR, demonstrating enhanced chemoresistance to the ovarian cancer chemotherapeutics cisplatin or paclitaxel and up-regulation of stem cell markers (Bmi-1, stem cell factor, Notch-1, Nanog, nestin, ABCG2, and Oct-4) compared with parental tumor cells or OCICs under differentiating conditions. To identify an OCIC cell surface phenotype, spheroid immunostaining showed significant up-regulation of the hyaluronate receptor CD44 and stem cell factor receptor CD117 (c-kit), a tyrosine kinase oncoprotein. Similar to sphere-forming OCICs, injection of only 100 CD44(+)CD117(+) cells could also serially propagate their original tumors, whereas 10(5) CD44(-)CD117(-) cells remained nontumorigenic. Based on these findings, we assert that epithelial ovarian cancers derive from a subpopulation of CD44(+)CD117(+) cells, thus representing a possible therapeutic target for this devastating disease.

A phase I study of paclitaxel, topotecan, cisplatin and Filgrastim in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian epithelial malignancies: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study

OBJECTIVES

To determine a recommended dose level (RDL) of paclitaxel, cisplatin and topotecan in women with previously untreated epithelial ovarian or peritoneal cancer as a possible experimental arm in a future Gynecologic Oncology Group phase III study.

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed stage III or IV disease were treated with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2/3 h, followed 2 h later by cisplatin 50 mg/m2 on day 1. Topotecan was administered on consecutive days as a 30-minute infusion, beginning after cisplatin on day 1, receiving either 5 days beginning at 0.3 mg/m2 (cohort 1), or 3 days beginning at 0.5 mg/m2 (cohort 2). Treatment was given every 21 days for a maximum of 8 cycles.

RESULTS

Forty-five evaluable patients were enrolled in the two cohorts. Thrombocytopenia and prolonged neutropenia were the major dose-limiting toxicities. Dose-limiting neutropenia was seen at the first dose level, thus all subsequent dose escalations included Filgrastim. The RDL of cohort 1 was paclitaxel 175 mg/m2/3 h, cisplatin 50 mg/m2 and topotecan 0.5 mg/m2 daily x 5 with Filgrastim. The RDL of cohort 2 was paclitaxel 175 mg/m2/3 h, cisplatin 50 mg/m2 and topotecan 0.75 mg/m2 daily x 3 with Filgrastim.

CONCLUSION

In women with previously untreated epithelial ovarian or peritoneal cancer the combination of paclitaxel, cisplatin and topotecan is feasible. However, this treatment requires the use of Filgrastim and attenuated dosing of topotecan in both a 5-day and 3-day topotecan infusion schedule.

The utility of presurgical CA125 to predict optimal tumor cytoreduction of epithelial ovarian cancer

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of a preoperative serum CA125 to predict whether optimal debulking (OD) could be achieved for patients with stage III and IV epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The records of consecutive patients who underwent primary surgery for EOC at Indiana University Hospital between January 1997 and January 2003 were reviewed. Eligibility criteria included FIGO stage III/IV disease, surgery by gynecologic oncology faculty, preoperative CA125, and an operative note clearly defining volume of residual disease. The Medcalc software statistical package was used to generate a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Two hundred and eighty-nine cases of stage III/IV EOC were identified, of which 164 met the eligibility criteria. Serum CA125 </=400 was associated with OD >/=75% of the time. Conversely, OD was achieved in </=40% of patients with CA125 >/=4500. The area under the ROC curve for CA125 was .670. The OD rate for those with and without ascites was 49% and 79%, respectively (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis using CA125, age, and ascites, the area under the curve was 0.686. We conclude that preoperative serum CA125 did not reliably predict OD in patients with stage III-IV EOC.

Stage Ia-IIa Cancer of the Cervix

Early-stage cervical cancer is unique among malignancies in that two radically different yet equally efficacious treatments can be offered to most patients with the disease. The choice between surgery and radiation therapy depends on the patient's age and comorbidities, tumor factors, physician bias, and discussion of the risks and benefits of each modality. A thorough discussion between the physician and patient is necessary to determine the optimal management for each individual. This review discusses the major factors that influence physician and patient management choices.

Outcome of reproductive age women with stage IA or IC invasive epithelial ovarian cancer treated with fertility-sparing therapy

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine the recurrence rate, survival, and pregnancy outcome in patients with Stage IA and Stage IC invasive epithelial ovarian cancer treated with unilateral adnexectomy.

METHODS

A multi-institutional retrospective investigation was undertaken to identify patients with Stage IA and IC epithelial ovarian cancer who were treated with fertility-sparing surgery. All patients with ovarian tumors of borderline malignancy were excluded. Long-term follow-up was obtained through tumor registries and telephone interviews. The time and sites of tumor recurrence, patient survival, and pregnancy outcomes were recorded for every patient.

RESULTS

Fifty two patients with Stage I epithelial ovarian cancer treated from 1965 to 2000 at 8 participating institutions were identified. Forty-two patients had Stage IA disease, and 10 had Stage IC cancers. Cell type was distributed as follows: mucinous, 25; serous, 10; endometrioid, 10; clear cell, 5; and mixed, 2. Histologic differentiation was as follows: grade 1, 38; grade 2, 9; and grade 3, 5. Twenty patients received adjuvant chemotherapy (mean 6 courses, range 3-12 courses). Patients received the following chemotherapeutic agents: cisplatin/taxol or carboplatin/taxol, 11; melphalan, 5; cisplatin and cyclophosphamide, 3; and single-agent cisplatin, 1. Eight patients had second-look laparotomies and all were negative. Duration of follow-up ranged from 6 to 426 months (median 68 months). Five patients developed tumor recurrence 8-78 months after initial surgery. Sites of recurrence were as follows: contralateral ovary, 3; peritoneum, 1; and lung, 1. Nine patients underwent subsequent hysterectomy and contralateral oophorectomy for benign disease. At present, 50 patients are alive without evidence of disease and 2 have died of disease 13 and 97 months after initial treatment. The estimated survival was 98% at 5 years and 93% at 10 years.Twenty-four patients attempted pregnancy and 17 (71%) conceived. These 17 patients had 26 term deliveries (no congenital anomalies noted) and 5 spontaneous abortions.

CONCLUSION

The long-term survival of patients with Stage IA and IC epithelial ovarian cancer treated with unilateral adnexectomy is excellent. Fertility-sparing surgery should be considered as a treatment option in women with Stage I epithelial ovarian cancer who desire further childbearing.

Hematometra after thermal balloon endometrial ablation in a patient with cervical incompetence

BACKGROUND

Thermal balloon endometrial ablation is a relatively safe nonsurgical treatment for menorrhagia. Hematometra follows this procedure in <3 % of patients, but risk factors for this complication are unclear.

CASE

A woman with a history of cervical incompetence during pregnancy later developed cervical occlusion and hematometra after thermal balloon endometrial ablation. Cervical occlusion did not recur after cervical dilatation and temporary placement of a catheter as a stent.

CONCLUSION

The normal resistance of the internal cervical os may be an important factor in avoiding thermal damage to the cervix during thermal balloon endometrial ablation. This case suggests that a history of cervical incompetence may be a clinical indicator of decreased cervical resistance.

Laparoscopic secondary port conversion using a reusable blunt conical trocar

BACKGROUND

During operative laparoscopy, large (10 mm or more) ancillary ports are often used for instrumentation and tissue removal. Although sharp pyramidal trocars can be used to place these ports, their use appears to increase the risk of vessel injury and herniation. We describe a simple and cost-effective technique for converting a 5-mm port to a 10- or 12-mm port using a blunt conical trocar.

TECHNIQUE

When a larger port is required, a previously placed 5-mm port is removed, and the skin incision is lengthened. A reusable 10- or 12-mm blunt conical trocar with a threaded sleeve is placed through the incision. The fascial defect is located by probing and is dilated gently with the blunt tip. Once the tip is through the fascia, it is advanced through the peritoneal defect with a clockwise, twisting motion. Afterwards, the fascial defect is closed with a single, interrupted absorbable suture.

EXPERIENCE

We have had no complications or difficulty when using this technique in 26 cases, either during or after surgery.

CONCLUSION

A reusable blunt conical trocar is a simple, safe, and cost-effective instrument for converting a 5-mm laparoscopic port into a 10- or 12-mm port.

Concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy in primary cancer of the cervix

Radiation therapy has been the most active agent for the treatment of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer for many years. Chemotherapy has shown some activity, but data has been lacking to support its routine use. Recently, data from five prospective, randomized trials evaluating this difficult population have matured. Reports from these trials are startlingly similar, leading to the common conclusion that concurrent cisplatin chemotherapy and radiation therapy substantially decrease the risk of relapse and increase the overall survival. These results are compelling evidence for the inclusion of cisplatin with irradiation as a new standard of care for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Occult bladder injury during laparoscopy: report of two cases

Bladder injuries occur in approximately 1.6% of all laparoscopic procedures. Most often, these injuries are recognized intraoperatively or immediately postoperatively because of gross hematuria. We report two cases of bladder injury related to placement of suprapubic laparoscopic trocars that were not recognized at the time of surgery and in which no gross hematuria was evident. In each case, the patient had a history of abdominal surgery, and the diagnosis was difficult to make. The treatment was prolonged catheterization in one patient and laparotomy through a midline incision in the other. Strategies are discussed for minimizing the risk of bladder injury during laparoscopic trocar placement and for diagnosing and treating injuries.

Hormonal treatment of an endometrial stromal nodule followed by local excision

BACKGROUND

Endometrial stromal nodule is a rare subtype of endometrial stromal tumor. Although such nodules are benign, hysterectomy has been considered the treatment of choice, because evaluation of the margin is required for diagnosis. The similarity between low-grade stromal sarcoma and stromal nodule suggests that stromal nodules might respond to hormonal management.

CASE

Twenty-one-year-old nulligravida, diagnosed with endometrial stromal nodule, which decreased in size with leuprolide acetate treatment, underwent local excision of the tumor with preservation of reproductive function.

CONCLUSION

Hormonal therapy was successful in decreasing the size of this stromal nodule which allowed for conservative management.

Location of the transverse colon in relationship to the umbilicus: implications for laparoscopic techniques

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To establish the location of the transverse colon in relationship to the umbilicus, and determine if it varies as a function of patient height or weight.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of computed tomograms (CT) of the abdomen (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Sixty-seven women with normal abdominal anatomy.

INTERVENTION

Review of abdominal CT scans.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The relative relationships of the transverse colon and umbilicus were compared with age, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI = kg/m2) using multiple regression analysis. Average location of the superior margin of the transverse colon was 4.6 cm (95% CI 3.5-5.7 cm) above the umbilicus. In nine (13%) women it was below the umbilicus. The colon was below the umbilicus in 25% of nonobese women (BMI <25 kg/m2).

CONCLUSION

Because the transverse colon lies below the umbilicus in more than 10% of women, injury to it may be an uncommon yet unavoidable complication of laparoscopy.

A prospective controlled trial of early postoperative oral intake following major abdominal gynecologic surgery

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to determine whether, when compared with traditional dietary advancement, early oral intake following major gynecologic surgery leads to a reduction in the length of hospitalization.

METHODS

Patients undergoing major abdominal gynecologic surgery were invited to participate in this study. After informed consent was obtained, they were randomized to one of two groups. The control group (group 1) was treated traditionally. Oral intake was initiated only after documentation of bowel function, which was defined by two of the following three criteria: (1) bowel sounds; (2) flatus or bowel movement; and (3) subjective hunger. Those assigned to the study group (group 2) were given a clear liquid diet on postoperative day 1. Once 500 cc was tolerated, a regular diet was given. Patients were evaluated on a daily basis for bowel sounds, flatus, bowel movement, hunger, nausea, vomiting, and need for nasogastric tube decompression. The groups were compared with regard to length of hospital stay, length of postoperative ileus, and incidence of adverse effects including nausea, vomiting, and postoperative complications. Statistical analyses were performed with the Student t and chi 2 tests.

RESULTS

The demographic characteristics of the control (N = 47) and study groups (N = 49) were similar, with no significant differences in underlying medical conditions, prior abdominal surgery, or diagnosis of a malignancy. The groups did not vary statistically in the number of subjects who required postoperative antiemetics or postoperative biscodyl suppository. There was a statistically significant reduction in the length of hospitalization for those patients on the early feeding regimen. The average length of stay for group 1 was 4.02 days +/- 0.30 (SEM), while that for group 2 was 3.12 days +/- 0.16 (P = 0.008). While there was a significantly higher incidence of emesis in the study population, this was not associated with any untoward outcome, and this group actually tolerated a solid diet nearly one full day earlier (2.72 days +/- 0.14 vs 1.88 days +/- 0.14, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Early postoperative oral intake results in a decreased length of hospitalization and is well tolerated when compared with traditional dietary management in patients undergoing abdominal surgery on a university gynecologic oncology service.

Complete hydatidiform mole coexisting with a twin live fetus: clinical course

A 33-year-old G4P0 white female presented for a pregnancy ultrasound at 9 weeks gestation and was found to have a complete hydatidiform mole coexisting with a live twin fetus (CHTF). The beta-hCG level was 600,000 mIU/ml and the chest X ray was negative. The pregnancy was uneventfully terminated by suction curettage and oral contraceptives were prescribed. The initial beta-hCG declined appropriately; however, it subsequently rose. The metastatic workup was negative and the patient was treated with weekly intramuscular methotrexate at 30 mg/m2. The hCG levels declined appropriately and then plateaued. Salvage chemotherapy with intravenous actinomycin D at 1.25 mg/m2 every 14 days was started. The hCG level normalized after 3 cycles and the patient was free of disease at 1 year follow-up.