Real world challenges and disparities in the systemic treatment of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a global health problem, and the mortality-to-incidence ratio is expected to increase, especially in low- and middle-income countries. These regions face disparities in access to OC care, including lack of awareness, limited access to genetic and tumor testing, paucity of surgical expertise, time to approval of novel therapeutics, and treatment costs. By addressing these inequities, the core aim of this paper is to promote action through collaboration in order to overcome these barriers and promote health equity in OC management and treatment.

Molecular profiling of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: Identifying therapeutic targets.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment for high risk or recurrent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a highly toxic multi-agent chemotherapy. For patients with progressive or recurrent GTN, checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated anti-tumor activity; however, identification of novel therapies for GTN remain an unmet need. Therefore, we sought to characterize the molecular landscape of GTN to identify potential therapeutic targets. METHODS: GTN samples were analyzed using a combination of molecular - next-generation sequencing (NGS) or whole exome sequencing (WES)- and protein- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses. GTN samples encompassed complete moles, choriocarcinoma, epithelioid trophoblastic tumors (ETT), and placental site trophoblastic tumors (PSTT). RESULTS: We analyzed 30 cases of GTN including 15 choriocarcinoma, 7 ETT, 5 PSTT, 1 invasive mole and 2 mixed histologies. The median age was 41.5. GTN samples were found to be PD-L1 positive (92.3%), tumor mutational burden (TMB) low (92.8%), and microsatellite stable (MSS) (100%). Forty-six percent of choriocarcinoma specimens contained a genomic alteration including TP53 (33%) and homologous recombination repair (HRR) (13%) genes. Alterations in RTK-RAS pathway signaling was present in 40% of ETT cases. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of PD-L1 positivity in this real-world database and reported in prior literature support continued clinical trial development evaluating immunotherapy for treatment of GTN. Other potential targeted treatments identified include Wee1, PARP and MEK inhibitors based on molecular alterations in TP53, HRR genes, and RTK-RAS pathways respectively.

High-dose ascorbate exerts anti-tumor activities and improves inhibitory effect of carboplatin through the pro-oxidant function pathway in uterine serous carcinoma cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: Uterine serous carcinoma is a highly aggressive non-endometrioid subtype of endometrial cancer with poor survival rates overall, creating a strong need for new therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes. High-dose ascorbate (vitamin C) has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation and tumor growth in multiple preclinical models and has shown promising anti-tumor activity in combination with chemotherapy, with a favorable safety profile. We aimed to study the anti-tumor effects of ascorbate and its synergistic effect with carboplatin on uterine serous carcinoma cells. METHODS: Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT and colony formation assays in ARK1, ARK2 and SPEC2 cells. Cellular stress, antioxidant ability, cleaved caspase 3 activity and adhesion were measured by ELISA assays. Cell cycle was detected by Cellometer. Invasion was measured using a wound healing assay. Changes in protein expression were determined by Western immunoblotting. RESULTS: High-dose ascorbate significantly inhibited cell proliferation, caused cell cycle arrest, induced cellular stress, and apoptosis, increased DNA damage, and suppressed cell invasion in ARK1 and SPEC2 cells. Treatment of both cells with 1 mM N-acetylcysteine reversed ascorbate-induced apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation. The combination of ascorbate and carboplatin produced significant synergistic effects in inhibiting cell proliferation and invasion, inducing cellular stress, causing DNA damage, and enhancing cleaved caspase 3 levels compared to each compound alone in both cells. CONCLUSIONS: Ascorbate has potent antitumor activity and acts synergistically with carboplatin through its pro-oxidant effects. Clinical trials of ascorbate combined with carboplatin as adjuvant treatment of uterine serous carcinoma are worth exploring.

Results of a randomized phase II trial of paclitaxel and carboplatin versus bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin for newly diagnosed and recurrent Chemonaive stromal ovarian tumors: An NRG oncology/gynecologic oncology group study14.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel and carboplatin (PC) compared to bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) for treatment of newly diagnosed Stage IIA-IV or recurrent chemotherapy-naive ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors (SCST). METHODS: This phase II noninferiority trial randomly assigned patients to receive PC (6 cycles P 175 mg/m2 and C AUC = 6 IV every 3 weeks), or BEP (4 cycles B 20 units/m2 IV push day 1, E 75 mg/m2 IV days 1-5, and cisplatin 20 mg/m2 IV days 1-5 every 3 weeks). The primary endpoint was progression- free survival (PFS). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01042522. RESULTS: At the interim analysis, 63 patients (31 PC and 32 B.P. had accrued between Feb 8, 2010 and Apr 30, 2020. Median age was 48 years. 87% had granulosa cell tumors. 37% had measurable disease. The DSMB closed accrual early for futility of PC arm. The futility analysis was supported by an estimated HR = 1.11 [95% CI: 0.57 to 2.13] which exceeded the pre-determined threshold for non-inferiority (1.10). Median PFS was 27.7 months [11.2 to 41.0] for PC and 19.7 months for BEP [95% CI: 10.4-52.7]. PC patients had fewer grade 3 or higher adverse events (PC 77% vs BEP 90%). CONCLUSIONS: The study met its pre-specified criterion for stopping early for futility and so failed to demonstrate non-inferiority of PC versus BEP in ovarian SCSTs, in a non-inferiority test with a hazard ratio margin of 1.1. Both PC and BEP may be considered in patients with advanced/recurrent SCST.

Disease progression, survival, and molecular disparities in Black and White patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma in real-world registries and GOG/NRG oncology randomized phase III clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate racial disparities in outcomes and molecular features in Black and White patients with endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC). METHODS: Black and White patients diagnosed with EEC who underwent hysterectomy ± adjuvant treatment in SEER, National Cancer Database (NCDB), the Genomics Evidence Neoplasia Information Exchange (GENIE) project (v.13.0), and eight NCI-sponsored randomized phase III clinical trials (RCTs) were studied. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated for cancer-related death (CRD), non-cancer death (NCD), and all-cause death. RESULTS: Black (n = 4397) vs. White (n = 47,959) patients in SEER had a HR (95% CI) of 2.04 (1.87-2.23) for CRD and 1.22 (1.09-1.36) for NCD. In NCDB, the HR (95% CI) for death in Black (n = 13,468) vs. White (n = 155,706) patients was 1.52 (1.46-1.58) dropping to 1.29 (1.23-1.36) after propensity-score matching for age, comorbidity, income, insurance, grade, stage, LVSI, and treatment. In GENIE, Black (n = 109) vs. White (n = 1780) patients had fewer PTEN, PIK3R1, FBXW7, NF1, mTOR, CCND1, and PI3K-pathway-related gene mutations. In contrast, TP53 and DNA-repair-related gene mutation frequency as well as tumor mutational burden-high status were similar in Black and White patients. In RCTs, Black (n = 187) vs. White (n = 2877) patients were more likely to have advanced or recurrent disease, higher grade, worse performance status and progressive disease. Risk of death in Black vs. White patients in RCTs was 2.19 (1.77-2.71) persisting to 1.32 (1.09-1.61) after matching for grade, stage, and treatment arm while balancing age and performance status. CONCLUSIONS: Differences exist in clinical presentation, outcomes, and molecular features in Black vs. White patients with EEC in real-world registries and RCTs. Targeted-drug development, strategies to modify social determinants, and diverse inclusion in RCTs are approaches to reduce disparities.

Role of endometrial sampling to differentiate between advanced endometrial versus ovarian malignancy: retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Distinguishing between advanced stage endometrial and ovarian cancer at diagnosis can be challenging, especially when patients do not present with abnormal uterine bleeding. Given emerging systemic therapies specific for ovarian versus endometrial cancers, it has become increasingly critical to establish the correct diagnosis at presentation to ensure appropriate treatment. This study evaluates the frequency with which advanced endometrial cancer is mistakenly presumed to be ovarian cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients with a final diagnosis of advanced endometrial cancer treated consecutively at a single academic institution between 2013 and 2022. Variables abstracted included abnormal uterine bleeding, endometrial sampling, and timing of endometrial cancer diagnosis. We quantified incorrect diagnoses made after 2018, when frontline targeted treatments differentiating advanced endometrial from advanced ovarian cancer became available. RESULTS: We identified 270 patients with an ultimate diagnosis of stage III or IV endometrial cancer. The most common presenting symptom was abnormal uterine bleeding (219/270, 81%), followed by abdominal or pelvic pain (48/270, 18%) and bloating (27/270, 10%). Forty-eight patients (18%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, of whom 11 (23%) had an incorrect diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Since 2018, six patients have received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for presumed ovarian cancer, three of whom received a systemic regimen specific for ovarian cancer when they, in fact, had endometrial cancer. CONCLUSION: In patients with presumed advanced ovarian cancer dispositioned to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, endometrial sampling can identify some cases that are actually primary endometrial cancers. Correct diagnosis guides the use of appropriate antineoplastic therapies, optimizing response and survival outcomes while minimizing toxicity and cost of unindicated therapies.

Patient-reported outcomes in the subpopulation of patients with mismatch repair-deficient/microsatellite instability-high primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer treated with dostarlimab plus chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone in the ENGOT-EN6-NSGO/GOG3031/RUBY trial.

OBJECTIVE: In the ENGOT-EN6-NSGO/GOG3031/RUBY trial, dostarlimab+carboplatin-paclitaxel demonstrated significant improvement in progression free survival and a positive trend in overall survival compared with placebo+carboplatin-paclitaxel, with manageable toxicity, in patients with primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer. Here we report on patient-reported outcomes in the mismatch repair-deficient/microsatellite instability-high population, a secondary endpoint in the trial. METHODS: Patients were randomized 1:1 to dostarlimab+carboplatin-paclitaxel or placebo+carboplatin-paclitaxel every 3 weeks for 6 cycles followed by dostarlimab or placebo monotherapy every 6 weeks for ≤3 years or until disease progression. Patient-reported outcomes, assessed with the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 and Endometrial Cancer Module, were prespecified secondary endpoints. A mixed model for repeated measures analysis, a prespecified exploratory analysis, was conducted to generate least-squares means to compare between-treatment differences while adjusting for correlations across multiple time points within a patient and controlling for the baseline value. Results are provided with 2-sided, nominal p values. RESULTS: Of 494 patients enrolled, 118 were mismatch repair-deficient/microsatellite instability-high. In this population, mean change from baseline to end of treatment showed visual improvements in global quality of life (QoL), emotional and social function, pain, and back/pelvis pain for dostarlimab+carboplatin-paclitaxel. Meaningful differences (least-squares mean [standard error]) favoring the dostarlimab arm were reported for change from baseline to end of treatment for QoL (14.7 [5.45]; p=0.01), role function (12.7 [5.92]); p=0.03), emotional function (14.3 [4.92]; p<0.01), social function (13.5 [5.43]; p=0.01), and fatigue (-13.3 [5.84]; p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with mismatch repair-deficient/microsatellite instability-high primary advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer receiving dostarlimab+carboplatin-paclitaxel demonstrated improvements in several QoL domains over patients receiving placebo+carboplatin-paclitaxel. The observed improvements in progression free survival and overall survival while improving or maintaining QoL further supports dostarlimab+carboplatin-paclitaxel as a standard of care in this setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03981796.

Trametinib versus standard of care in patients with recurrent low-grade serous ovarian cancer (GOG 281/LOGS): an international, randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 2/3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade serous carcinoma of the ovary or peritoneum is characterised by MAPK pathway aberrations and its reduced sensitivity to chemotherapy relative to high-grade serous carcinoma. We compared the MEK inhibitor trametinib to physician's choice standard of care in patients with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma. METHODS: This international, randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 2/3 trial was done at 84 hospitals in the USA and UK. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma and measurable disease, as defined by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors version 1.1, had received at least one platinum-based regimen, but not all five standard-of-care drugs, and had received an unlimited number of previous regimens. Patients with serous borderline tumours or tumours containing low-grade serous and high-grade serous carcinoma were excluded. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either oral trametinib 2 mg once daily (trametinib group) or one of five standard-of-care treatment options (standard-of-care group): intravenous paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 by body surface area on days 1, 8, and 15 of every 28-day cycle; intravenous pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 40-50 mg/m2 by body surface area once every 4 weeks; intravenous topotecan 4 mg/m2 by body surface area on days 1, 8, and 15 of every 28-day cycle; oral letrozole 2·5 mg once daily; or oral tamoxifen 20 mg twice daily. Randomisation was stratified by geographical region (USA or UK), number of previous regimens (1, 2, or ≥3), performance status (0 or 1), and planned standard-of-care regimen. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival while receiving randomised therapy, as assessed by imaging at baseline, once every 8 weeks for 15 months, and then once every 3 months thereafter, in the intention-to-treat population. Safety was assessed in patients who received at least one dose of study therapy. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02101788, and is active but not recruiting. FINDINGS: Between Feb 27, 2014, and April 10, 2018, 260 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to the trametinib group (n=130) or the standard-of-care group (n=130). At the primary analysis, there were 217 progression-free survival events (101 [78%] in the trametinib group and 116 [89%] in the standard-of-care group). Median progression-free survival in the trametinib group was 13·0 months (95% CI 9·9-15·0) compared with 7·2 months (5·6-9·9) in the standard-of-care group (hazard ratio 0·48 [95% CI 0·36-0·64]; p<0·0001). The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events in the trametinib group were skin rash (17 [13%] of 128), anaemia (16 [13%]), hypertension (15 [12%]), diarrhoea (13 [10%]), nausea (12 [9%]), and fatigue (ten [8%]). The most frequent grade 3 or 4 adverse events in the standard-of-care group were abdominal pain (22 [17%]), nausea (14 [11%]), anaemia (12 [10%]), and vomiting (ten [8%]). There were no treatment-related deaths. INTERPRETATION: Trametinib represents a new standard-of-care option for patients with recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma. FUNDING: NRG Oncology, Cancer Research UK, Target Ovarian Cancer, and Novartis.

Molecular testing for endometrial cancer: An SGO clinical practice statement.

The Cancer Genome Atlas publication first described the genomic landscape of endometrial cancer and characterized these cancers into four molecular subtypes with different prognoses. The Proactive Molecular Classifier for Endometrial Cancer was developed to more easily and inexpensively classify endometrial cancers into four similar molecular subtypes which are termed POLE, mismatch repair deficient, p53 abnormal and no specific molecular profile. Beyond these four subtypes, other molecular biomarkers may influence clinical behavior and response to targeted therapies and include beta-catenin, Her2 amplification, PI3K/mTOR/AKT alterations, L1CAM, hormone receptor expression, tumor mutational burden, and ARID1A. There are numerous clinical trials exploring treatment escalation and de-escalation within the four molecular subtypes as well as matching targeted therapies to specific mutational or biomarker profiles. All endometrial cancers should undergo basic molecular classification that includes assessment of mismatch repair status. POLE and p53 status are prognostic and may become actionable in the future. Clinicians who treat patients with endometrial cancer should understand the role of molecular classification in guiding treatment. The goal of this practice statement is to guide appropriate testing, interpretation, and application of molecular information in endometrial cancer.

Understanding the spectrum of malignant bowel obstructions in gynecologic cancers and the application of the Henry score.

OBJECTIVE: Malignancy-associated bowel obstruction (MBO) is a potential sequela of advanced gynecologic cancers, adversely impacting both quality of life and prognosis. The Henry score (HS) was developed in a gastrointestinal cancer-predominant population to predict 30-day mortality. We aim to characterize MBO in gynecologic cancers and assess the utility of the HS in this population. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients with gynecologic cancer and MBO admitted to a single academic institution from 2016 to 2021. The primary outcome is to characterize malignant small and large bowel obstructions in primary and recurrent gynecologic cancer using readmission and mortality rates. Secondary outcomes are to assess the Henry score and inpatient MBO management. RESULTS: 179 patients totaling 269 were admissions identified, most commonly affecting patients with ovarian cancer. The majority (89.4%) were managed non-operatively while 10.6% were managed surgically. No significant differences were observed in survival for medical versus surgical management. Thirty-day mortality increased with increasing HS (0%, 0-1; 14.3%, 2-3; 40.9%, 4-5). Over 1/3 (34.1%) of patients were readmitted for recurrent or persistent MBO. Goals of care conversations were documented for 56.8% of patients with HS 4-5. Mortality rates across the entire cohort were high-20.1% and 60.9% had died by 1 and 6 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Survival rates following an initial MBO admission are poor. The HS has utility in gynecologic cancers for assessing 30-day mortality and may be a useful tool to aid in the management and counseling of patients with gynecologic cancer and MBO.

High-fat diet and obesity are associated with differential angiogenic gene expression in epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the association between diet and angiogenic biomarkers in KpB mice, and the association between these markers, body mass index (BMI), and overall survival (OS) in high-grade serous cancers (HGSC). METHODS: Tumors previously obtained from KpB mice subjected to high-fat diets (HFD, n = 10) or low-fat diets (LFD, n = 10) were evaluated for angiogenesis based on CD-31 microvessel density (MVD). Data from prior microarray analysis (Agilent 244 K arrays) conducted in 10 mice were utilized to assess associations between diet and angiogenetic biomarkers. Agilent (mouse) and Affymetrix Human Genome U133a probes were linked to 162 angiogenic-related genes. The associations between biomarkers, BMI, and OS were evaluated in an HGSC internal database (IDB) (n = 40). Genes with unadjusted p < 0.05 were evaluated for association with OS in the TCGA-OV database (n = 339). RESULTS: There was no association between CD-31 and diet in mice (p = 0.66). Sixteen angiogenic-related genes passed the p < 0.05 threshold for association with HFD vs. LFD. Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFA) demonstrated 72% higher expression in HFD vs. LFD mice (p = 0.04). Similar to the mouse study, in our HGSC IDB, higher TGFA expression correlated with higher BMI (p = 0.01) and shorter survival (p = 0.001). In the TCGA-OV dataset, BMI data was not available and there was no association between TGFA and OS (p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: HFD and obesity may promote tumor progression via differential modulation of TGFA. We were unable to confirm this finding in the TCGA dataset. Further evaluation of TGFA is needed to determine if this is a target unique to obesity-driven HGSC.

Mixed clear cell/endometrioid and clear cell/serous carcinoma of the uterus are clinicopathologically similar to pure clear cell carcinoma: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG-210) study of 311 women.

OBJECTIVES: Clear cell carcinoma is a high-risk subtype of endometrial cancer. Some patients have a mixture of clear cell carcinoma with other histologic types (endometrioid or serous) or cannot be neatly assigned to one of these types. Protocol GOG-8032 within GOG-210 was designed to determine whether these tumors differ from pure clear cell carcinoma in stage at diagnosis, initial pattern of spread, or patient survival. METHODS: The term "mixed" was applied to tumors with multiple identifiable components, and "indeterminate" was applied to tumors with features intermediate between different histologic types. Three hundred eleven women with pure, mixed, or indeterminate clear cell carcinoma were identified in a larger cohort of patients undergoing hysterectomy for endometrial cancer in GOG-210. Histologic slides were centrally reviewed by expert pathologists. Baseline and follow-up data were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-six patients had pure clear cell carcinoma and 175 had a mixed or indeterminate clear cell pattern. Baseline clinicopathologic characteristics were similar except for a small difference in age at presentation. Univariate survival analysis confirmed the significance of typical endometrial cancer prognostic factors. Patients in the mixed categories had disease-free and overall survival similar to pure clear cell carcinoma, but the indeterminate clear cell/endometrioid group had longer survival. CONCLUSION: In clear cell endometrial cancer, the presence of a definite admixed endometrioid or serous component did not correlate with a significant difference in prognosis. Patients whose tumors had indeterminate clear cell features had better prognosis. Some of these tumors may be endometrioid tumors mimicking clear cell carcinoma.

Carboplatin dosing in the treatment of ovarian cancer: An NRG oncology group study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of using National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines to estimate renal function on carboplatin dosing and explore adverse effects associated with a more accurate estimation of lower creatinine clearance (CrCl). METHODS: Retrospective data were obtained for 3830 of 4312 patients treated on GOG182 (NCT00011986)-a phase III trial of platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Carboplatin dose per patient on GOG182 was determined using the Jelliffe formula. We recalculated CrCl to determine dosing using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Cockcroft-Gault (with/without NCCN recommended modifications) formulas. Associations between baseline CrCl and toxicity were described using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Sensitivity and positive predictive values described the model's ability to discriminate between subjects with/without the adverse event. RESULTS: AUC statistics (range, 0.52-0.64) showed log(CrClJelliffe) was not a good predictor of grade ≥3 adverse events (anemia, thrombocytopenia, febrile neutropenia, auditory, renal, metabolic, neurologic). Of 3830 patients, 628 (16%) had CrCl <60 mL/min. Positive predictive values for adverse events ranged from 1.8%-15%. Using the Cockcroft-Gault, Cockcroft-Gault with NCCN modifications, and MDRD (instead of Jelliffe) formulas to estimate renal function resulted in a >10% decrease in carboplatin dosing in 16%, 32%, and 5.2% of patients, respectively, and a >10% increase in carboplatin dosing in 41%, 9.6% and 12% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: The formula used to estimate CrCl affects carboplatin dosing. Estimated CrCl <60 mL/min (by Jelliffe) did not accurately predict adverse events. Efforts continue to better predict renal function. Endorsing National Cancer Institute initiatives to broaden study eligibility, our data do not support a minimum threshold CrCl <60 mL/min as an exclusion criterion from clinical trials.

The effect of older age on treatment outcomes in women with advanced ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy: An NRG-Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG-0182-ICON5) ancillary study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of age on overall survival (OS) in women with ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy. Secondary objectives were to describe the effect of age on treatment compliance, toxicities, progression free survival (PFS), time from surgery to chemotherapy, and rates of optimal cytoreduction. METHODS: Women enrolled in GOG 0182-ICON5 with stage III or IV epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who underwent surgery and chemotherapy between 2001 and 2004 were included. Patients were divided into ages <70 and ≥ 70 years. Baseline characteristics, treatment compliance, toxicities, and clinical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: We included a total of 3686 patients, with 620 patients (16.8%) ≥ 70 years. OS was 37.2 months in older compared to 45.0 months in younger patients (HR 1.21, 95% CI, 1.09-1.34, p < 0.001). Older patients had an increased risk of cancer-specific-death (HR 1.16, 95% CI, 1.04-1.29) as well as non-cancer related deaths (HR 2.78, 95% CI, 2.00-3.87). Median PFS was 15.1 months in older compared to 16.0 months in younger patients (HR 1.10, 95% CI, 1.00-1.20, p = 0.056). In the carboplatin/paclitaxel arm, older patients were just as likely to complete therapy and more likely to develop grade ≥ 2 peripheral neuropathy (35.7 vs 19.7%, p < 0.001). Risk of other toxicities remained equal between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In women with advanced EOC receiving chemotherapy, age ≥ 70 was associated with shorter OS and cancer specific survival. Older patients receiving carboplatin and paclitaxel reported higher rates of grade ≥ 2 neuropathy but were not more likely to suffer from other chemotherapy related toxicities. Clintrials.gov: NCT00011986.

A phase II evaluation of temsirolimus with carboplatin and paclitaxel followed by temsirolimus consolidation in clear cell ovarian cancer: An NRG oncology trial.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of the study was to estimate the 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) for carboplatin/paclitaxel + temsirolimus in women with newly diagnosed clear cell ovarian cancer (CCOC), compared to historical controls in this patient population. METHODS: Patients with Stage III or IV CCOC were treated with Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 on Day 1, Carboplatin AUC 6 Day 1, and temsirolimus (CCI-779) 25 mg IV Days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks for Cycles 1-6 or disease progression, followed by consolidation therapy with temsirolimus 25 mg Days 1, 8, and 15 every 3 weeks cycles 7-17 or until disease progression. RESULTS: Ninety patients were accrued to the study: 45 in the US and Korea (US/Korea) and 45 in Japan. Twenty-two percent received ≤6 cycles of therapy while 28% completed all 17 cycles of chemotherapy. Median PFS (OS) was 11 (23) months for US/Korea and 12 (26) months for Japan. In the US, none of suboptimally debulked patients had PFS >12 months, and 49% of optimal patients did, compared to 25% and 59% in Japan. Most common grade 3-4 adverse events were neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and oral mucositis. CONCLUSION: The carboplatin/paclitaxel + temsirolimus regimen was well tolerated. In optimally debulked patients, 54% had a PFS >12 months. This regimen did not statistically significantly increase PFS at 12 months compared to historical controls. No statistically significant differences in PFS or OS were observed between US/Korea vs Japan, or Asians vs non-Asians.

What proportion of patients with stage 3 ovarian cancer are potentially cured following intraperitoneal chemotherapy? Analysis of the long term (≥10 years) survivors in NRG/GOG randomized clinical trials of intraperitoneal and intravenous chemotherapy in stage III ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) alive without progression at a landmark time-point of 10 years from diagnosis are likely cured. We report the proportion of patients with Stage III EOC who were long-term disease-free survivors (LTDFS≥10 years) following either intraperitoneal (IP) or intravenous (IV) chemotherapy as well as the predictors of LTDFS. METHODS: Data from 3 mature NRG/GOG trials (104, 114, 172) were analyzed and included demographics, clinicopathologic details, route of administration, and survival outcomes of patients living ≥10 years assessed according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression survival analysis was performed to evaluate independent prognostic predictors of LTDFS. RESULTS: Of 1174 patients randomized, 10-year overall survival (OS) was 26% (95% CI, 23-28%) and LTDFS ≥10 years was 18% (95% CI, 16-20%). Patients with LTDFS ≥10 years had a median age of 54.6 years (p < 0.001). Younger age (p < 0.001) was the only independent prognostic factor for LTDFS≥10 years on multivariate Cox analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 18% of patients were LTDFS ≥10 years. They form the tail end of the survival curve and are likely cured. Our results provide a comparative benchmark to evaluate the impact of PARP inhibitors in 1st line maintenance trials on survival outcomes.

Transfusion Requirements with Hybrid Management of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Incorporating Targeted Embolization and a Selective Use of Delayed Hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study compares the number of units of red blood cells (RBCs) transfused in patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) treated with or without a multidisciplinary algorithm that includes placental uterine arterial embolization (P-UAE) and selective use of either immediate or delayed hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study of deliveries conducted at a tertiary care hospital from 2001 to 2018 with pathology-confirmed PAS. Those with previable pregnancies or microinvasive histology were excluded. To improve the equity of comparison, analyses were made separately among scheduled and unscheduled cases, therefore patients were assigned to one of four cohorts as follows: (1) scheduled/per-algorithm, (2) scheduled/off-algorithm, (3) unscheduled/per-algorithm, or (4) unscheduled/off-algorithm. Primary outcomes included RBCs transfused and estimated blood loss (EBL). Secondary outcomes included perioperative complications and disposition. RESULTS: Overall, 95 patients were identified, with 87 patients meeting inclusion criteria: 36 treated per-algorithm (30 scheduled and 6 unscheduled) and 51 off-algorithm patients (24 scheduled and 27 unscheduled). Among scheduled deliveries, 9 (30.0%) patients treated per-algorithm received RBCs compared with 20 (83.3%) patients treated off-algorithm (p < 0.01), with a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 3.0 (2.0, 4.0) and 6.0 (2.5, 7.5) units transfused (p = 0.13), respectively. Among unscheduled deliveries, 5 (83.3%) per-algorithm patients were transfused RBCs compared with 25 (92.6%) off-algorithm patients (p = 0.47) with a median (IQR) of 4.0 (2.0, 6.0) and 8.0 (3.0, 10.0) units transfused (p = 0.47), respectively. Perioperative complications were similar between cohorts. CONCLUSION: A multidisciplinary algorithm including P-UAE and selective use of delayed hysterectomy is associated with a lower rate of blood transfusion in scheduled but not unscheduled cases. KEY POINTS: · An algorithm with delayed hysterectomy had less transfusion in scheduled, but not unscheduled, cases.. · Over time, more cases were managed per algorithm; among scheduled cases, the transfusion rate and volume transfused decreased.. · There were similar transfusion outcomes among off-algorithm cases, regardless if delivery was scheduled..

Real-world treatment patterns of maintenance therapy in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical utility of maintenance therapy (MT) for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer has been validated in several clinical trials. We assessed "real-world" treatment patterns using an electronic health record (EHR) database. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer between January 1, 2011 and July 31, 2019 was conducted using the US nationwide Flatiron Health (EHR)-derived de-identified database. Patients were included if they received second- or third-line (2 L or 3 L) platinum-based chemotherapy (PBCT). Information regarding biomarker status was obtained. RESULTS: 2292 patients with ovarian cancer received at least two lines of therapy. 222 patients completed PBCT on or after March 1, 2017 and had ≥2 months of active surveillance or received MT with poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) or bevacizumab. 46 (20%) had BRCA mutations (BRCAm), 132 (59%) had a wildtype BRCA (BRCAwt) gene, and 47 (21%) were unknown. Of patients with BRCAm, 63% received a PARPi, 17% received bevacizumab, and 20% underwent active surveillance. Of patients with BRCAwt, 40% received a PARPi, 23% received bevacizumab, and 36% underwent active surveillance. MT was more common in those with younger age and a BRCA mutation. PARPi use increased on average by 1.3% every 3 months (p = .02) with no statistically significant change in use of bevacizumab. CONCLUSIONS: In this real-world population, MT is becoming progressively more common following 2 L or 3 L PBCT regardless of biomarker status. The results provide insight into the shifting treatment patterns for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

The preferences of women with ovarian cancer for oral versus intravenous recurrence regimens.

OBJECTIVE: To assess preferences of women with ovarian cancer regarding features of available anti-cancer regimens for platinum-resistant, biomarker-positive disease, with an emphasis on oral PARP inhibitor and standard intravenous (IV) chemotherapy regimens. METHODS: A discrete-choice-experiment preferences survey was designed, tested, and administered to women with ovarian cancer, with 11 pairs of treatment profiles defined using seven attributes (levels/ranges): regimen (oral daily, IV weekly, IV monthly); probability of progression-free (PFS) at 6 months (40%-60%); probability of PFS at 2 years (10%-20%); nausea (none, moderate); peripheral neuropathy (none, mild, moderate); memory problems (none, mild); and total out-of-pocket cost ($0 to $10,000). RESULTS: Of 123 participants, 38% had experienced recurrence, 25% were currently receiving chemotherapy, and 18% were currently taking a PARP inhibitor. Given attributes and levels, the relative importance weights (sum 100) were: 2-year PFS, 28; cost, 27; 6-month PFS, 19; neuropathy,14; memory problems, nausea, and regimen, all ≤5. To accept moderate neuropathy, participants required a 49% (versus 40%) chance of PFS at 6 months or 14% (versus 10%) chance at 2 years. Given a 3-way choice where PFS and cost were equal, 49% preferred a monthly IV regimen causing mild memory problems, 47% preferred an oral regimen causing moderate nausea, and 4% preferred a weekly IV regimen causing mild memory and mild neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: These findings challenge the assumption that oral anti-cancer therapies are universally preferred by patients and demonstrate that there is no "one size fits all" regimen that is preferable to women with ovarian cancer when considering recurrence treatment regimens.

Utilizing an interim futility analysis of the OVAL study (VB-111-701/GOG 3018) for potential reduction of risk: A phase III, double blind, randomized controlled trial of ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111) and weekly paclitaxel in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Report the results from a preplanned interim analysis of a phase III, double blind, randomized controlled study of ofranergene obadenovec (VB-111), a targeted anti-cancer gene therapy, in combination with paclitaxel in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer (PROC). METHODS: The OVAL (NCT03398655) study is an on-going study where patients are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to weekly paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 with VB-111 or placebo. The protocol specifies a pre-planned unblinded futility interim analysis of CA-125 response per GCIG criteria in the first 60 evaluable patients. The futility rule determined for this analysis was that the response rate of VB-111 must be greater than the response rate of placebo by at least 10% in order to continue the study. Coincident with the interim analysis, the blinded CA-125 response rate was estimated as a proportion of the first 60 evaluable patients with CA-125 response per GCIG criteria. Post-treatment fever is provided as a possible surrogate marker of VB-111 therapy activity. RESULTS: The median age of the evaluable patients was 62 years (range 41-82); 97% had high-grade serous cancer; 58% had been treated with 3 or more previous lines of therapy, 70% received prior anti-angiogenic treatment, 43% received prior PARP inhibitors. CA-125 response in the VB-111 and weekly paclitaxel treated arm met the pre-specified interim criterion of an absolute advantage of 10% or higher compared to the control. Blinded results show a 53% CA-125 response rate (32/60) with 15% complete response (n=9). Assuming balanced randomization and an absolute advantage of 10% or higher to the VB-111 arm, it may be deducted that the response in the VB-111 treatment arm is 58% or higher. Among patients with post-treatment fever, the CA-125 response rate was 69%. CONCLUSIONS: At the time of the interim analysis, response rate findings are comparable to the responses seen in a similar patient population in the phase I/II study. The independent data and safety monitoring committee (iDSMC) recommended continuing the OVAL trial as planned. No new safety signals were identified.