Safe to save blood in ovarian cancer surgery - time to change transfusion habits.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) undergoing surgery are often subjected to red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Both anemia and RBC transfusion are associated with increased morbidity. The aim was to evaluate patient recovery after the implementation of patient blood management (PBM) strategies. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 354 patients with AOC undergoing surgery at Skane University Hospital Lund, Sweden, between January 2016 and December 2021. The gradual implementation of PBM strategies included restrictive RBC transfusion, tranexamic acid as standard medication before laparotomies and intravenous iron administered to patients with iron deficiency. Severe complications were defined as Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade ≥ 3a. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the differences between three consecutive periods. RESULTS: After the implementation of new strategies, 52% of the patients had at least one transfusion compared to 83% at baseline (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the rate of severe complications (CD ≥ 3a) between the groups, adjusted odds ratio 0.55 (95% CI 0.26-1.17). The mean difference in hemoglobin before chemotherapy was -1.32 g/L (95% CI -3.04 to -0.22) when adjusted for blood loss and days from surgery to chemotherapy. The length of stay (LOS) decreased from 8.5 days to 7.5 days (p 0.002). INTERPRETATION: The number of patients transfused were reduced by 31%. Despite a slight increase in anemia rate, severe complications (CD ≥ 3a) remained stable. The LOS was reduced, and chemotherapy was given without delay, indicating that PBM is feasible and without causing major severe effects on short-term recovery.

Time to extend the indication for sentinel node biopsy in vulvar cancer? Results from a prospective nationwide Swedish study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess detection rates and negative predictive values of sentinel node biopsy in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma with tumors ≥4 cm, multifocal tumors, and in locally recurrent disease. METHODS: Between December 2019 and December 2022, patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma with tumors ≥4 cm (group 1), multifocal tumors (group 2), or a first local recurrence without or with previous groin treatment (groups 3 and 4, respectively) were included in a prospective, nationwide multicenter interventional pilot study. The participants underwent a sentinel node biopsy followed by inguinofemoral lymph node dissection. Detection rates, negative predictive values, the proportion of micrometastases, and isolated tumor cells were determined separately for each group. RESULTS: In all, 64 women were included, 36 women in group 1 (56%), and 17 women in group 2 (27%). Due to the small number and heterogeneity of the 11 women in groups 3 and 4, they were excluded from further analyses. In groups 1 and 2, 25 women (47%) were diagnosed with node-positive disease, and in 16 women (64%) only in the sentinel nodes. The detection rates varied between 94.1-100% per patient and 84.1-85.3% per groin. No false-negative sentinel nodes were identified, giving a negative predictive value of 100% for group 1 (95% CI 91.2% to 100%) and for group 2 (95% CI 83.9% to 100%). Of the node-positive patients, 32% had micrometastasis or isolated tumor cells only. One third of the metastases were detected by ultrastaging. In 27% of the non-mapping groins, metastases were found in the lymphadenectomy specimen, and in 75% the metastases showed extranodal growth. CONCLUSION: In this small cohort of patients, we provide further data that may widen the indication of the sentinel node technique to women with tumors ≥4 cm and multifocal tumors. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04147780.

Age and Referral Route Impact the Access to Diagnosis for Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer.

Purpose: The majority of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed in late stages. Most women do have symptoms prior to diagnosis, sometimes several months before the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the timeline from the first presentation of symptoms to a physician until there is a reasonable suspicion of cancer, among women diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer. We wanted to investigate which symptoms were the most common and whether there are other factors affecting the time interval before the suspicion of cancer was confirmed. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective population-based cohort study of women diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019 who were referred to Skane University Hospital Lund, Sweden. Data were collected from electronic medical records at Skane University Hospital. The time interval was recorded as the time from first physician consultation with predefined symptoms to the date when there was a reasonable suspicion of ovarian cancer. Data processing and statistical analysis were performed with the statistical software R. Results: Among the 249 patients included in this study, the median time interval from the first consultation to the reasonable suspicion of cancer was 24 days. The first consultation in specialized care had a 70% decrease in delay compared to primary care. Emergency consultations had a 52.2% decrease in time delay compared to planned consultations. Older age was associated with an increase in the geometric mean by 54.7%, comparing the first to the third quartile. The most common symptom was abdominal pain. Conclusion: The length of time interval from first presentation with symptoms relating to ovarian cancer to reasonable suspicion of cancer was associated with whether the consultation was in primary or specialized care, emergency or planned visit and the patient's age.

Tru-Cut Biopsy in Gynecological Cancer: Adequacy, Accuracy, Safety and Clinical Applicability.

Purpose: Tru-cut biopsy is a minimally invasive technique used to obtain tissue samples for the diagnosis of tumors, especially in patients where primary surgery is not indicated. The aim of this study was to assess the adequacy, accuracy and safety of the tru-cut biopsy for diagnosis in gynecological cancer. Methods: A retrospective population-based review of 328 biopsies was conducted. The indications for tru-cut biopsies were diagnosis of primary tumors, metastases of gynecological and non-gynecological tumors, and suspected recurrences. A tissue sample was considered adequate when the quality/quality was sufficient to identify the subtype/origin of the tumor. Potential factors affecting adequacy were analyzed using logistic regressions analyses. Accuracy was defined as agreement between the diagnosis of the tru-cut biopsy and the postoperative histology. The therapy plan was registered, and the clinical applicability of the tru-cut biopsy was investigated. Complications within 30 days after the biopsy procedure were registered. Results: In total, 300 biopsies were identified as tru-cut biopsies. The overall adequacy was 86.3%, varying between 80.8% and 93.5%, respectively, when performed by a gynecological oncologist or a gynecologist with a subspecialty in ultrasound diagnosis. Sampling of a pelvic mass had a lower adequacy (81.6%) compared with sampling of the omentum (93.9%) or carcinomatosis (91.5%). The accuracy was 97.5%, and the complication rate was 1.3%. Conclusion: The tru-cut biopsy is a safe and reliable diagnostic method with a high accuracy and a good adequacy, depending on the site of the tissue sample, indications for the biopsy and the experience of the operator.

Imaging ovarian cancer - from baseline characteristics to high-risk image factors.

BACKGROUND: Imaging ovarian cancer (OC) includes evaluating peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and enlarged cardio phrenic lymph nodes (CPLN) by computed tomography (CT), and thorough evaluation is tedious work. A "CT short score" with high-risk CT parameters might be a more pragmatic approach, but it is not known if such a short score associates with aggressive OC subtypes and impaired OC survival. Further, it is not known if certain established OC risk factors are linked to high-risk CT-findings which would be important in image evaluation. Herein, we investigate a CT short score and its relation to baseline characteristics, OC subtypes, and survival. METHODS: The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study is a prospective cohort that included 17,035 women (1991-1996). Baseline characteristics and tumor information on 159 OC and information on OC specific survival (last follow-up, 2017-12-31) was registered. A CT short score (CPLN and PC-index (PCI) in seven regions) was registered and associations with clinical stage [stage I vs. advanced stage (II-IV), histological type/grade (high grade serous and endometrioid vs. other subtypes], and OC-specific survival were analyzed with logistic and Cox regression, respectively. Parity and menopausal status were analyzed in relation to short score and PCI. RESULTS: There was an association between higher short score and advanced clinical stage (adjusted OR 2.76 (1.42-5.38)), adjusted for age at diagnosis and histological type/grade. Higher short score was associated with impaired OC specific survival (adjusted HR 1.17 (1.01-1.35)), adjusted for age at diagnosis, histological type/grade, and clinical stage. There were no significant associations between parity, menopausal status, and short score/PCI. CONCLUSIONS: CT short score was significantly associated with advanced clinical stages and impaired OC survival. A pragmatic approach (based on CT) to evaluate high risk image findings in OC could help reduce radiologists' workload and at the same time provide structured reports to surgeons and oncologists involved in OC care.

Ovarian tumor frozen section, a multidisciplinary affair.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian Cancer (OC) constitute the eighth most common cancers among women worldwide. Surgery remains the cornerstone in the management of OC. Intraoperative frozen section (FS) diagnosis is widely used to decide the surgery course. We aimed to assess the reliability of intraoperative FS diagnosis for treatment planning of patients with suspected OC from a multidisciplinary perspective. The clinical consequences of reclassification and the multidisciplinary management of the therapy plan, is the secondary aim of this study. To our knowledge, this information is sparely investigated. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective population-based study of patients who underwent surgery for suspected OC between 2018 and 2020. Histopathological outcomes were classified as benign, borderline, or malignant. The FS diagnosis was the diagnostic test, and the final histopathology report was the gold standard. Diagnostic capability for treatment planning was assessed, and modifications made possible by overall clinical knowledge were discussed. RESULTS: A total of 358 patients were identified, of whom 187 were included in the FS group. Overall accuracy was 89.8%, and 19 patients were reclassified; the malignancy grade of 15 tumors was underestimated. Prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for invasive malignancies on FS were 54.0% (CI 46.6-61.3%), 88.1% (CI 80.2-93.7%), 98.8% (CI 93.7-99.9%), 98.9% (CI 92.7-99.8%), and 87.6% (CI 80.6-92.4%), respectively. Tumors incorrectly graded by FS tended to be of borderline-related. CONCLUSIONS: The reliability of the FS methodology was an accurate test to help perform appropriate surgery and plan swift oncological treatment. FS is a reliable method to diagnose invasive malignancies and benign pathology. The communication between the pathologist, surgeon, and medical oncologist is highly important for both intraoperative decision-making and postoperative patient care.

Prognostic Value of Peritoneal Cancer Index After Complete Cytoreductive Surgery in Advanced Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Residual disease (RD) after primary debulking surgery (PDS) is a prognostic factor for survival in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC). This study aimed to examine whether the tumor extent affects overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in AOC patients treated with PDS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 118 patients treated with PDS were included. Age, ECOG score, AOC International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, CA-125, RD, peritoneal cancer index (PCI), preoperative imaging (CT-PCI) and macroscopic visualization at the surgery start (S-PCI) were analyzed. Tumor extent was quantified using the PCI, and by CT-PCI and S-PCI. Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier and receiver operating curves (ROC) were performed for survival analyses. RESULTS: S-PCI correlated with both OS (1.067, 95%CI=1.018-1.119, p<0.007) and PFS. Patients exhibiting S-PCI≥18.5, adjusted to age, performance status, and RD, had a two-fold risk of dying (HR=2.070, 95%CI=1.061-4.038, p=0.033) compared those with PCI<18.5. CT-PCI correlated with OS in crude data (1.037, 95%CI=1.005-1.071, p=0.025), but this was not sustained in multivariate analyses. RD of any size doubled the risk of dying (2.177, 95%CI=1.235-3.838, p=0.007). CONCLUSION: The tumor extent at the beginning of surgery seemed to affect OS in patients with AOC, regardless of the extent of RD at the end of the surgery. PCI above 18.5 doubled the risk of dying of the disease. No difference in major complications was noted in the two groups of patients. CT-PCI seemed to play a prognostic role for PFS; however, it is still to be investigated as a prognostic factor for OS.

The role of computed tomography in the assessment of tumour extent and the risk of residual disease after upfront surgery in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC).

PURPOSE: Epithelial ovarian cancer is usually diagnosed in the advanced stages. To choose the best therapeutic approach, an accurate preoperative assessment of the tumour extent is crucial. This study aimed to determine whether the peritoneal cancer index (PCI), the amount of ascites, and the presence of cardiophrenic nodes (CPLNs) visualized by computed tomography (CT) can assess the tumour extent (S-PCI) and residual disease (RD) for advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients treated with upfront surgery. METHODS: In total, 118 AOC cases were included between January 2016 and December 2018 at Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. Linear regression and interclass correlation (ICC) analyses were used to determine the relationship between CT-PCI and S-PCI. The patients were stratified in complete cytoreductive surgery (CCS) with no RD or to non-CCS with RD of any size. The amount of ascites on CT (CT-ascites), CA-125 and the presence of radiological enlarged CPLNs (CT-CPLN) were analysed to evaluate their impact on estimating RD. RESULTS: CT-PCI correlated well with S-PCI (0.397; 95% CI 0.252-0.541; p < 0.001). The risk of RD was also related to CT-PCI (OR 1.069 (1.009-1.131), p < 0.023) with a cut-off of 21 for CT-PCI (0.715, p = 0.000). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 58.5, 70.3, 52.2 and 75.4%, respectively. CT-ascites above 1000 ml predicted RD (OR 3.510 (1.298-9.491) p < 0.013). CONCLUSION: CT is a reliable tool to assess the extent of the disease in advanced ovarian cancer. Higher CT-PCI scores and large volumes of ascites estimated on CT predicted RD of any size.

MET Expression and Cancer Stem Cell Networks Impact Outcome in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer.

Overexpression of the receptor tyrosine kinase MET has been linked to poor survival in several cancer types, and MET has been suggested to interact with stem cell networks. In vitro studies have further suggested a possible benefit of a combined treatment using PARP and MET inhibitors. We used a tissue microarray (TMA) with 130 samples of advanced-stage high-grade serous fallopian tube/ovarian cancer (HGSC) to investigate the prognostic value of MET protein expression alone and in combination with the stem cell factor SOX2. The possible synergistic effects of a PARP and MET inhibitor treatment were evaluated in two cell lines with BRCA1 or BRCA2 deficiency and in their BRCA1/2-proficient counterparts. Patients with tumors positive for MET had worse overall survival (log-rank test, p = 0.015) compared to patients with MET-negative tumors. The prognostic role of MET was even more prominent in the subgroup of patients with SOX2-negative tumors (p = 0.0081). No synergistic effects of the combined treatment with PARP and MET inhibitors were found in the cell lines examined. We conclude that MET expression could be used as a marker for OS in HGSC and that stemness should be taken into consideration when evaluating the mechanisms of this effect.

SOX2 is a promising predictor of relapse and death in advanced stage high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients with residual disease after debulking surgery.

The transcription factor SOX2 is a well-established and important stem cell marker. Its role in cancer biology remains unclear, but it has been proposed to also be a marker of cancer stem cells. We investigated the role of SOX2 protein expression in women with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) to determine its potential prognostic and treatment predictive value. We constructed a tissue microarray of 130 advanced stage HGSOC tumors with an average of 6 cores each, stained for SOX2 protein expression and evaluated survival outcomes. We also treated two HGSOC cell lines with carboplatin and paclitaxel and measured SOX2 expression by RT-PCR and immunoblotting at different doses and time-points. Among patients with non-radical debulking surgery overall and progression-free survival were shorter for patients with SOX2 positive tumors (mean 26 vs. 39 months, log-rank test: p = .0076, and mean 14 vs. 19 months, p = .055, respectively). Knockdown of SOX2 in cell lines did not affect growth inhibition following chemotherapy treatment. Our results show that SOX2 has a strong prognostic potential among HGSOC patients with residual tumor tissue after debulking surgery and suggest that SOX2 expressing cells remaining after non-radical debulking surgery may constitute a subpopulation of cancer stem cells with greater tumor-initiating potential.

High density of stroma-localized CD11c-positive macrophages is associated with longer overall survival in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Pre-clinical studies have identified marker- and tumor compartment-defined functionally distinct macrophage subsets. Our study analyzes marker-defined macrophage subsets in different tumor compartments of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC). METHODS: A discovery cohort (N = 113) was subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses. CD68-positivity was confirmed for CD11c-, CD80- and CD163-positive cells. Subset-marker-positive cells were scored in the total tumor and in four tumor compartments. Correlation analyses investigated co-expression of subsets, relationship to CD8+ cells and survival associations. A validation cohort (N = 121) was used to confirm selected findings from the discovery cohort. RESULTS: CD163-positve cells was the most abundant subtype in all compartments. CD11c and CD163 subsets were strongly correlated with each other in stroma and epithelial areas, whereas CD80 and CD163 were correlated in epithelial areas. CD80 and CD11c in perivascular areas showed low correlations. Strong associations were detected between CD8 and CD80 in the tumor epithelium-dominated areas, and between CD8 and CD11c in stroma areas. High stromal CD11c density was associated with a longer median overall survival in the discovery cohort (HR 0.39; CI 95%, 0.23-0.68; p = 0.001) and in the validation cohort (HR 0.46; CI 95%, 0.22-0.93; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our study supports the existence of clinically relevant marker- and localization defined macrophage subsets in HGSC, which are independently regulated. Moreover, it suggests stromal CD11c as a novel prognostic marker in HGSC.

Ovarian cancer subtypes and survival in relation to three comprehensive imaging parameters.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is usually detected in late clinical stages, and imaging at diagnosis is crucial. Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and cardio phrenic lymph nodes (CPLN) are pathological findings of computed tomography (CT) and are relevant for surgical planning. Furthermore, mammographic breast density (BD) has shown an association with OC risk and might be prognostically relevant. However, it is not known if PC, CPLN, and BD are associated with aggressive OC subtypes and impaired OC survival. Herein, we investigated associations between three comprehensive image parameters and OC subtypes and survival. METHODS: The Malmö Diet and Cancer Study is a prospective study that included 17,035 women (1991-1996). Tumor information on 159 OC and information on OC specific survival (last follow-up, 2017-12-31) was registered. The CT and mammography closest to diagnosis were evaluated (Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index PCI, CPLN, and BD). Associations between CT-PCI, CPLN, and BD vs. clinical stage [stage I vs. advanced stage (II-IV), histological type/grade (high grade serous and endometrioid vs. other subtypes], and OC-specific survival were analyzed by logistic and Cox regression. RESULTS: There was a significant association between higher CT-PCI score and advanced clinical stage (adjusted OR 1.26 (1.07-1.49)), adjusted for age at diagnosis and histological type/grade. Increasing CT-PCI was significantly associated with impaired OC specific survival (adjusted HR 1.04 (1.01-1.07)), adjusted for age at diagnosis, histological type/grade, and clinical stage. There was no significant association between PCI and histological type/grade, nor between BD or CPLN vs. the studied outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Image PCI score was significantly associated with advanced clinical stages and impaired OC survival. An objective approach (based on imaging) to scoring peritoneal carcinomatosis in ovarian cancer could help surgeons and oncologists to optimize surgical planning, treatment, and care.

PD-1/PD-L1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are prognostically favorable in advanced high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma.

The response rate to checkpoint inhibitors for women with high-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum (HGSC) is modest, and development of predictive biomarkers is needed. The main focus has been on tumor cell PD-L1 expression, but its assessment alone is insufficient for patient selection in most malignancies. We mapped the presence of macrophages (CD68 and CD163) and lymphocytes (CD3) located within the tumor epithelium, the cell type-specific expression of PD-L1 and PD-1, and their impact on 5-year overall survival (OS) in a consecutive cohort of 130 women diagnosed with advanced HGSC between 2011 and 2015. PD-L1 was expressed mainly by macrophages (not by tumor cells) and PD-1 by lymphocytes. Women with higher CD3, PD-L1, and PD-1 expression had improved OS (P = 0.03, P = 0.007, and P = 0.02, respectively). In the external data set (203 women), high expression of CD274 (encoding PD-L1) was associated with improved OS (P = 0.03), in accordance with our results. Furthermore, higher CD163 expression was associated with better outcome in women with no residual tumor after primary surgery (P = 0.02). Thus, women with greater lymphocyte tumor infiltration had better outcome and PD-L1/PD-1 expression, regardless of PD-1/PD-L1 being markers for immune suppressive pathways, conferred a survival benefit in our cohort. Our results highlight that tumor immunity may be harnessed in subsets of HGSC.

Can we extend the indication for sentinel node biopsy in vulvar cancer? A nationwide feasibility study from Sweden.

BACKGROUND: In squamous cell vulvar cancer, sentinel node biopsy is accepted as standard treatment in well-defined patient groups and has reduced surgical morbidity considerably. Currently, due to the lack of evidence, it cannot be offered to patients with tumors of 4 cm diameter or greater or with multifocal tumors, or in local recurrences. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: This study is primarily a pilot and feasibility trial, aiming to evaluate if the prerequisites concerning detection rate and negative predictive value are satisfactory before the implementation of a multinational trial. STUDY HYPOTHESIS: Sentinel node biopsy has an acceptable negative predictive value and detection rate in the study cohort. TRIAL DESIGN: This study is planned as a prospective, national, multicenter interventional trial. Participating patients will undergo a sentinel node biopsy in addition to an inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy. INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria: for women in group 1, a primary tumor ≥4 cm in diameter; in group 2, a multifocal primary tumor; in group 3, a local recurrence without previous inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy or radiation to the groins; in group 4, a local recurrence, with previous inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy and/or radiation to the groins. PRIMARY ENDPOINT: The primary endpoints are the detection rate and the negative predictive value of the sentinel node procedure. SAMPLE SIZE: In each of the four study arms, recruitment of 20-30 patients is planned. ESTIMATED DATES FOR COMPLETING RECRUITMENT AND PRESENTING RESULTS: Recruitment will take place between November 2019 and October 2021. Results will be available in December 2021. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered at "ClinicalTrials.gov" (ID: NCT04147780).

Detecting TP53 mutations in diagnostic and archival liquid-based Pap samples from ovarian cancer patients using an ultra-sensitive ddPCR method.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most common subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer and early detection is challenging. TP53 mutations are a hallmark of HGSOC and detection of these mutations in liquid-based Pap samples could provide a method for early diagnosis. Here we evaluate the use of IBSAFE, an ultra-sensitive droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method, for detecting TP53 mutations in liquid-based Pap samples collected from fifteen women at the time of diagnosis (diagnostic samples) and/or up to seven years prior to diagnosis (archival samples). We analysed tumours for somatic TP53 mutations with next generation sequencing and were able to detect the corresponding mutations in diagnostic samples from six of eight women, while one patient harboured a germline mutation. We further detected a mutation in an archival sample obtained 20 months prior to the ovarian cancer diagnosis. The custom designed IBSAFE assays detected minor allele frequencies (MAFs) with very high assay sensitivity (MAF = 0.0068%) and were successful despite low DNA abundance (0.17-206.14 ng, median: 17.27 ng). These results provide support for further evaluation of archival liquid-based Pap samples for diagnostic purposes and demonstrate that ultra-sensitive ddPCR should be evaluated for ovarian cancer screening in high-risk groups or in the recurrent setting.

Albumin infusion rate and plasma volume expansion: a randomized clinical trial in postoperative patients after major surgery.

BACKGROUND: Optimal infusion rate of colloids in patients with suspected hypovolemia is unknown, and the primary objective of the present study was to test if plasma volume expansion by 5% albumin is greater if fluid is administered slowly rather than rapidly. METHODS: Patients with signs of hypoperfusion after major abdominal surgery were randomized to intravenous infusion of 5% albumin at a dose of 10 ml/kg (ideal body weight) either rapidly (30 min) or slowly (180 min). Plasma volume was measured using radiolabeled albumin at baseline, at 30 min, and at 180 min after the start of infusion. Primary outcome was change in plasma volume from the start of infusion to 180 min after the start of infusion. Secondary outcomes included the change in the area under the plasma volume curve and transcapillary escape rate (TER) for albumin from 180 to 240 min after the start of albumin infusion. RESULTS: A total of 33 and 31 patients were included in the analysis in the slow and rapid groups, respectively. The change in plasma volume from the start of infusion to 180 min did not differ between the slow and rapid infusion groups (7.4 ± 2.6 vs. 6.5 ± 4.1 ml/kg; absolute difference, 0.9 ml/kg [95%CI, - 0.8 to 2.6], P = 0.301). Change in the area under the plasma volume curve was smaller in the slow than in the rapid infusion group and was 866 ± 341 and 1226 ± 419 min ml/kg, respectively, P < 0.001. TER for albumin did not differ and was 5.3 ± 3.1%/h and 5.4 ± 3%/h in the slow and in the rapid infusion groups, respectively, P = 0.931. CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support our hypothesis that a slow infusion of colloid results in a greater plasma volume expansion than a rapid infusion. Instead, our result of a smaller change in the area under the plasma volume curve indicates that a slow infusion results in a less efficient plasma volume expansion, but further studies are required to confirm this finding. A rapid infusion has no effect on vascular leak as measured after completion of the infusion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT2013-004446-42 registered December 23, 2014.

Antibodies to Costimulatory Receptor 4-1BB Enhance Anti-tumor Immunity via T Regulatory Cell Depletion and Promotion of CD8 T Cell Effector Function.

The costimulatory receptor 4-1BB is expressed on activated immune cells, including activated T cells. Antibodies targeting 4-1BB enhance the proliferation and survival of antigen-stimulated T cells in vitro and promote CD8 T cell-dependent anti-tumor immunity in pre-clinical cancer models. We found that T regulatory (Treg) cells infiltrating human or murine tumors expressed high amounts of 4-1BB. Intra-tumoral Treg cells were preferentially depleted by anti-4-1BB mAbs in vivo. Anti-4-1BB mAbs also promoted effector T cell agonism to promote tumor rejection. These distinct mechanisms were competitive and dependent on antibody isotype and FcγR availability. Administration of anti-4-1BB IgG2a, which preferentially depletes Treg cells, followed by either agonistic anti-4-1BB IgG1 or anti-PD-1 mAb augmented anti-tumor responses in multiple solid tumor models. An antibody engineered to optimize both FcγR-dependent Treg cell depleting capacity and FcγR-independent agonism delivered enhanced anti-tumor therapy. These insights into the effector mechanisms of anti-4-1BB mAbs lay the groundwork for translation into the clinic.

Should we Refrain from Performing Oophorectomy in Conjunction with Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer?

Radical cystectomy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the gold standard for treating muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Women subjected to radical cystectomy are frequently postmenopausal, and the median age for bladder cancer diagnosis in women in Sweden is currently 73 yr (Swedish National Bladder Cancer Register). Traditionally, most women treated with radical cystectomy have undergone simultaneous bilateral oophorectomy and hysterosalpingectomy to diminish the risk of later ovarian disease and ovarian bladder cancer recurrence, but also the belief that there is no impact on health or health-related quality of life associated with oophorectomy and the fact that it might be easier surgery to take the ovarian pedicles, rather than sparing the ovaries. However, pelvic organ preservation is considered in some younger women to diminish postoperative functional impairment. Based on recent literature in several areas related to oophorectomy, we question the rationale and arguments for performing oophorectomy in women in conjunction with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer.

The importance of albumin infusion rate for plasma volume expansion following major abdominal surgery - AIR: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Administration of fluids to restore normovolaemia is one of the most common therapeutic interventions performed peri-operatively and in the critically ill, but no study has evaluated the importance of infusion rate for the plasma volume-expanding effect of a resuscitation fluid. The present study is designed to test the hypothesis that a slow infusion of resuscitation fluid results in better plasma volume expansion than a rapid infusion. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is a single-centre, assessor-blinded, parallel-group, randomised prospective study. Patients over 40 years of age admitted to the post-operative care unit after a Whipple procedure or major gynaecological surgery and presenting with signs of hypovolaemia are eligible for inclusion. Patients are randomised in a 1:1 fashion with no stratification to either rapid (30 minutes) or slow (180 minutes) infusion of 5% albumin at a dose of 10 ml/kg ideal body weight. Plasma volume is measured using 125I human serum albumin at baseline (prior to albumin infusion) as well as at 30 minutes and 180 minutes after infusion start. The primary endpoint is change in plasma volume from baseline to 180 minutes after the start of 5% albumin infusion. Secondary endpoints include the integral of plasma volume over time from baseline to 180 minutes after the start of the infusion and transcapillary escape rate of albumin (%/h) from 180 minutes to 240 minutes after the start of albumin infusion. In addition, diuresis, change in central venous oxygen saturation, lactate and blood pressure will be evaluated. A total of 70 patients will be included in the study, and the study has 80% power to detect a difference of 4 ml/kg in plasma volume expansion between the two groups. DISCUSSION: The present study is the first clinical investigation of the importance of infusion rate for the plasma volume-expanding effect of a resuscitation fluid. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT identifier: 2013-004446-42 . Registration date: 20 December 2013. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02728921 . Registration date: 31 March 2016.

[Cervical cancer is a clinical challenge]. / Cervixcancer en klinisk utmaning.

Cervical cancer is the third most common female cancer world wide. In Sweden, some 450 cases are diagnosed annually. One out of three affected Swedish women is under the age of 40. Survival for all stages is 73 % in Sweden. Human papilloma virus (HPV) can be detected in the majority of all cervical cancers. Treatment consists of surgery for early stages, and a combination of chemoradiation and brachytherapy for locally advanced disease. For metastatic disease, the treatment is palliative. Late side effects after treatment may have serious impact on the quality of life. There is a strong need for more efficient treatment of metastatic disease. Current lines of research include surgical strategies, optimised radiotherapy, neoadjuvant therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy including therapeutic vaccines.