Tyrosinase (TYR) gene sequencing and literature review reveals recurrent mutations and multiple population founder gene mutations as causative of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) in Pakistani families.

PURPOSE: To investigate eight previously unreported Pakistani families with genetically undefined OCA for mutations in TYR. METHODS: Sanger sequencing of TYR has been performed in eight families with OCA phenotype. Mutation analysis was performed to establish the pathogenic role of novel mutation. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict the structural and functional impacts on protein due to the mutation. RESULTS: In this study, we identified six likely pathogenic variants of TYR (c.272 G>A, c.308 G>A, c.346C>T, c.715 C>T, c.832 C>T and c.1255 G>A), including one novel variant (c.308 G>A; p.Cys103Tyr), segregating as appropriate in each family. Cys103 lies in the highly conserved region of the tyrosinase enzyme, and p.Cys103Tyr is predicted to disturb enzymatic function via alteration of the configurational orientation of TYR leading to a more rigid polypeptide structure. We have also reviewed the mutation spectrum of TYR in Pakistani ethnicity. Published data on OCA families proposed that ~40% have been associated with genetic variations in the TYR gene. The mutations reported in this study have now been described with varying frequencies in Pakistani families, including very rare/unique mutations. CONCLUSION: A literature review of TYR gene mutations in Pakistani populations, combined with our genetic data, identified a number of gene mutations likely to represent regional ancestral founder mutations of relevance to Pakistani populations, in addition to sporadic and recurrent 'hotspot' mutations present repeatedly in other regions worldwide.

Surgical-pathological findings in type 1 and 2 endometrial cancer: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study on GOG-210 protocol.

OBJECTIVE: To report clinical and pathologic relationships with disease spread in endometrial cancer patients. METHODS: Surgical candidates with uterine cancer (adenocarcinoma or carcinosarcoma) who were eligible to participate in a surgical pathological study to create a clinically annotated tissue biorepository to support translational and clinical research studies. All patients were to undergo a hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and bilateral pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. From 2003-2007, open eligibility enrollment was conducted, and from 2007-2011, eligibility was restricted to enrich underrepresented patients or those at high risk. RESULTS: This report details clinical pathological relationships associated with extra uterine disease spread of 5866 evaluable patients including those with endometrioid histology as well as papillary serous, clear cell and carcinosarcoma histologies. Review of unrestricted enrollment was constructed in an effort to capture a cross-section population representative of endometrial cancers seen by the GOG participating members. Evaluation of this group of patients suggested the more natural incidence of different surgical pathological findings as well as demographic information. The addition of 2151 patients enrolled during the restricted time interval allowed a total of 1630 poor histotype patients available for further analysis. As expected, endometrioid (E) cancers represented the largest enrollment and particularly E grade 1 and 2 (G1 and 2) were more frequently confined to the uterus. Grade 3 (G3) endometrioid cancers as well as the poor histotype (papillary serous, clear cell and carcinosarcoma) had a much greater propensity for extant disease. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the previously reported surgical pathological findings for endometrioid cancers but in addition, using a large database of papillary serous, clear cell and carcinosarcoma, surgical pathological findings substantiate the categorization of poor histotypes for these cancers.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Endometrial Carcinoma Mortality and Recurrence.

Background: Recent data suggest that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be associated with reductions in endometrial cancer risk, yet very few have examined whether their use is related to prognosis among endometrial cancer patients. Methods: Study subjects comprised 4374 participants of the NRG Oncology/Gynecology Oncology Group 210 Study with endometrial carcinoma who completed a presurgical questionnaire that assessed history of regular prediagnostic NSAID use and endometrial cancer risk factors. Recurrences, vital status, and causes of death were obtained from medical records and cancer registries. Fine-Gray semiproportional hazards regression estimated adjusted subhazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations of NSAID use with endometrial carcinoma-specific mortality and recurrence. Models were stratified by endometrial carcinoma type (ie, type I [endometrioid] vs type II [serous, clear cell, or carcinosarcoma]) and histology. Results: Five hundred fifty endometrial carcinoma-specific deaths and 737 recurrences occurred during a median of five years of follow-up. NSAID use was associated with 66% (HR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.21 to 2.30) increased endometrial carcinoma-specific mortality among women with type I cancers. Associations were statistically significant for former and current users, and strongest among former users who used NSAIDs for 10 years or longer (HR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.19 to 4.18, two-sided P trend = .01). NSAID use was not associated with recurrence or endometrial carcinoma-specific mortality among women with type II tumors. Conclusions: In this study, use of NSAIDs was associated with increased endometrial carcinoma-specific mortality, especially in patients with type I tumors. Barring a clear biologic mechanism by which NSAIDs would increase the risk of cause-specific mortality, cautious interpretation is warranted.

FGFR2 mutations are associated with poor outcomes in endometrioid endometrial cancer: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE: Activating FGFR2 mutations have been identified in ~10% of endometrioid endometrial cancers (ECs). We have previously reported that mutations in FGFR2 are associated with shorter disease free survival (DFS) in stage I/II EC patients. Here we sought to validate the prognostic importance of FGFR2 mutations in a large, multi-institutional patient cohort. METHODS: Tumors were collected as part of the GOG 210 clinical trial "Molecular Staging of Endometrial Cancer" where samples underwent rigorous pathological review and had more than three years of detailed clinical follow-up. DNA was extracted and four exons encompassing the FGFR2 mutation hotspots were amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: Mutations were identified in 144 of the 973 endometrioid ECs, of which 125 were classified as known activating mutations and were included in the statistical analyses. Consistent with FGFR2 having an association with more aggressive disease, FGFR2 mutations were more common in patients initially diagnosed with stage III/IV EC (29/170;17%) versus stage I/II EC (96/803; 12%; p=0.07, Chi-square test). Additionally, incidence of progression (progressed, recurred or died from disease) was significantly more prevalent (32/125, 26%) among patients with FGFR2 mutation versus wild type (120/848, 14%; p<0.001, Chi-square test). Using Cox regression analysis adjusting for known prognostic factors, patients with FGFR2 mutation had significantly (p<0.025) shorter progression-free survival (PFS; HR 1.903; 95% CI 1.177-3.076) and endometrial cancer specific survival (ECS; HR 2.013; 95% CI 1.096-3.696). CONCLUSION: In summary, our findings suggest that clinical trials testing the efficacy of FGFR inhibitors in the adjuvant setting to prevent recurrence and death are warranted.

Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, and Bevacizumab in Advanced and Recurrent Endometrial Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of adding bevacizumab to paclitaxel and carboplatin and as maintenance in a larger cohort of patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively identified endometrial cancer patients treated with paclitaxel (175 mg/m per 3 hours), carboplatin (area under the curve, 5) and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) and maintenance bevacizumab treated in a post-protocol treatment cohort and evaluated them with our previously published phase 2 trial of this regimen. RESULTS: Twenty-seven additional patients were identified; 19 received the regimen as first-line therapy, and 8 received the regimen as second-line therapy after prior paclitaxel and carboplatin. The 19 patients who received first-line therapy were analyzed alone and with the 15 patients enrolled on protocol. The 2 cohorts were similar with respect to risk factors. Overall survival curves were not statistically different between the protocol and the postprotocol patients (log-rank test; P > 0.1). Collectively, a total of 266 courses (median, 6 courses; range, 1-20 courses) of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and bevacizumab combination therapy and 305 courses (median, 16 courses; range, 0-45courses) of bevacizumab maintenance therapy were administered as first-line therapy. Collectively, the median progression-free survival was 20 months, and median overall survival was 56 months. Among 29 patients with measurable disease, the response rate was 82.8% (95% confidence interval, 69.0%-96.5%; 15 complete responses and 9 partial responses). Among the 8 patients who received paclitaxel and carboplatin and bevacizumab as second-line therapy after paclitaxel and carboplatin, the response rate was 87.5% (6 complete responses, 1 partial response). Their median progression-free survival and median overall survival were not reached after a median follow-up of 23.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are inherent limitations to small retrospective studies, this second analysis confirms the high response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival in the bevacizumab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin regimen as first-line therapy in advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

Utility of PET/CT to Evaluate Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Metastasis in High-Risk Endometrial Cancer: Results of ACRIN 6671/GOG 0233 Trial.

Purpose To assess the diagnostic accuracy of fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) combined with diagnostic contrast material-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in detecting lymph node (LN) metastasis in high-risk endometrial cancer. Materials and Methods This prospective multicenter HIPAA-compliant study had institutional review board approval, and all participants gave written informed consent. Data were accrued between January 2010 and June 2013. Patients underwent PET/CT and pelvic and abdominal lymphadenectomy. Two hundred seven of 215 enrolled patients had PET/CT and pathologic examination results for the abdomen and pelvis. Mean patient age was 62.7 years ± 9.6 (standard deviation). Data in all 23 patients with a positive abdominal examination and in 26 randomly selected patients with a negative abdominal examination were used for this central reader study. Seven independent blinded readers reviewed diagnostic CT and PET/CT results in different sessions 1 month apart. Accuracy was calculated at the participant level, correlating abdominal (right and left para-aortic and common iliac) and pelvic (right and left external iliac and obturator) LN regions with pathologic results, respecting laterality. Reader-average sensitivities, specificities, and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) of PET/CT and diagnostic CT were compared. Power calculation was for sensitivity and specificity in the abdomen. Results Sensitivities of PET/CT versus diagnostic CT for the detection of LN metastasis were 0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57, 0.72) versus 0.50 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.58) (P = .01) in the abdomen and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.57, 0.72) versus 0.48 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.56) (P = .004) in the pelvis. Corresponding specificities were 0.88 (95% CI: 0.83, 0.92) versus 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.96) (P = .11) and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.86, 0.96) versus 0.89 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.94) (P = .27), and AUCs were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.89) versus 0.74 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.86) (P = .39) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.92) versus 0.73 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.84) (P = .02). Conclusion FDG PET/CT has satisfactory diagnostic accuracy in the detection of abdominal LN metastasis in high-risk endometrial cancer. Compared with diagnostic CT alone, addition of PET to diagnostic CT significantly increased sensitivity in both the abdomen and pelvis while maintaining high specificity. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Clinicopathologic Significance of Mismatch Repair Defects in Endometrial Cancer: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

PURPOSE: The clinicopathologic significance of mismatch repair (MMR) defects in endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) has not been definitively established. We undertook tumor typing to classify MMR defects to determine if MMR status is prognostic or predictive. METHODS: Primary EECs from NRG/GOG0210 patients were assessed for microsatellite instability (MSI), MLH1 methylation, and MMR protein expression. Each tumor was assigned to one of four MMR classes: normal, epigenetic defect, probable mutation (MMR defect not attributable to MLH1 methylation), or MSI-low. The relationships between MMR classes and clinicopathologic variables were assessed using contingency table tests and Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: A total of 1,024 tumors were assigned to MMR classes. Epigenetic and probable mutations in MMR were significantly associated with higher grade and more frequent lymphovascular space invasion. Epigenetic defects were more common in patients with higher International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage. Overall, there were no differences in outcomes. Progression-free survival was, however, worse for women whose tumors had epigenetic MMR defects compared with the MMR normal group (hazard ratio, 1.37; P < .05; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.86). An exploratory analysis of interaction between MMR status and adjuvant therapy showed a trend toward improved progression-free survival for probable MMR mutation cases. CONCLUSION: MMR defects in EECs are associated with a number of well-established poor prognostic indicators. Women with tumors that had MMR defects were likely to have higher-grade cancers and more frequent lymphovascular space invasion. Surprisingly, outcomes in these patients were similar to patients with MMR normal tumors, suggesting that MMR defects may counteract the effects of negative prognostic factors. Altered immune surveillance of MMR-deficient tumors, and other host/tumor interactions, is likely to determine outcomes for patients with MMR-deficient tumors.

Utility of PET-CT to evaluate retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis in advanced cervical cancer: Results of ACRIN6671/GOG0233 trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess if FDG PET combined with diagnostic CT improves diagnostic CT accuracy to detect lymph node (LN) metastasis in advanced cervical cancer. METHODS: A prospective HIPAA compliant ACRIN/GOG multicenter trial was conducted. Patients underwent concurrent diagnostic contrast-enhanced CT (DCT) and PET and pelvic/abdominal lymphadenectomy. Seven independent blinded readers reviewed PET-DCT and DCT one-month apart. Reference standard was surgically removed LN pathology. Accuracy values were calculated at participant level, correlating abdominal (right and left para-aortic/common iliac) and pelvic (right and left external iliac/obturator) LN regions with pathology, respecting laterality. Reader average sensitivities/specificities of PET-DCT vs. DCT were compared with generalized linear mixed models, and AUCs with Obuchowski's method. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three patients had PET-DCT and pathology. Forty-three of 153 patients had metastasis to abdominal LNs. Sample size calculation required review of the first 40 abdominal positive and 40 randomly selected abdominal negative studies. Patients were 24 to 74years (48.9±10.6) old. Mean sensitivities of PET-DCT/DCT for detection of LN metastasis in abdomen were 0.50 (CI: 0.44, 0.56) and 0.42 (CI: 0.36, 0.48) (p=0.052) and in pelvis 0.83 (CI: 0.78, 0.87) and 0.79 (CI: 0.73, 0.83) (p=0.15). Corresponding specificities were 0.85 (CI: 0.80, 0.89) and 0.89 (CI: 0.84, 0.92) (p=0.21) and 0.63 (CI: 0.54, 0.70) and 0.62 (CI: 0.53, 0.69) (p=0.83). Mean AUC values were 0.70 (CI: 0.61, 0.79) and 0.68 (CI: 0.59, 0.77) (p=0.43) and 0.80 (CI: 0.71, 0.88) and 0.76 (CI: 0.67, 0.85) (p=0.21) respectively. CONCLUSION: Addition of PET to DCT resulted in statistically borderline increase in sensitivity to detect LN metastasis in abdomen in advanced cervical cancer.

Expression Patterns of the Wnt Pathway Inhibitors Dickkopf3 and Secreted Frizzled-Related Proteins 1 and 4 in Endometrial Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the differential expression patterns of the wingless-type (Wnt) pathway inhibitors Dkk3 (Dickkopf 3), SFRP1 (secreted frizzled-related protein 1), and SFRP4 in normal müllerian tissue and endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma specimens. METHODS: Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of the Wnt pathway inhibitors Dkk3, SFRP1, and SFRP4 were evaluated by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. A total of 87 human tissue specimens were obtained from 60 women who participated in Gynecologic Oncology Group protocol 210. Twenty-seven normal müllerian tissues, 32 early-stage, and 28 advanced-stage endometrial endometrioid cancer specimens were analyzed. RESULTS: Median age for this cohort was 60 years, with median body mass index of 32 kg/m. There was a difference in Dkk3 protein expression between normal müllerian tissues and primary endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma samples (P = 0.05). There was down-regulation of Dkk3, SFRP1, and SFRP4 mRNA expression in patients with high-grade disease (P = 0.08, 0.06, and 0.05, respectfully). Furthermore, a decrease in SFRP1 and SFPR4 mRNA expression was noted in patients with a diagnosis of locoregional and distant disease recurrence. Lastly, a trend toward decreased progression-free survival in patients with low Dkk3, SFRP1, and SFRP4 mRNA expression levels was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Wnt pathway inhibitor (Dkk3, sFRP1, and/or sFRP4) expression was down-regulated in patients with high-grade disease and was associated with locoregional and distant disease recurrence. Despite sample size (power) limitations, these results support previous preclinical studies and may suggest a therapeutic role for Wnt signaling in endometrial cancer.

Combined Microsatellite Instability, MLH1 Methylation Analysis, and Immunohistochemistry for Lynch Syndrome Screening in Endometrial Cancers From GOG210: An NRG Oncology and Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

PURPOSE: The best screening practice for Lynch syndrome (LS) in endometrial cancer (EC) remains unknown. We sought to determine whether tumor microsatellite instability (MSI) typing along with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and MLH1 methylation analysis can help identify women with LS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ECs from GOG210 patients were assessed for MSI, MLH1 methylation, and mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression. Each tumor was classified as having normal MMR, defective MMR associated with MLH1 methylation, or probable MMR mutation (ie, defective MMR but no methylation). Cancer family history and demographic and clinical features were compared for the three groups. Lynch mutation testing was performed for a subset of women. RESULTS: Analysis of 1,002 ECs suggested possible MMR mutation in 11.8% of tumors. The number of patients with a family history suggestive of LS was highest among women whose tumors were classified as probable MMR mutation (P = .001). Lynch mutations were identified in 41% of patient cases classified as probable mutation (21 of 51 tested). One of the MSH6 Lynch mutations was identified in a patient whose tumor had intact MSH6 expression. Age at diagnosis was younger for mutation carriers than noncarriers (54.3 v 62.3 years; P < .01), with five carriers diagnosed at age > 60 years. CONCLUSION: Combined MSI, methylation, and IHC analysis may prove useful in Lynch screening in EC. Twenty-four percent of mutation carriers presented with ECs at age > 60 years, and one carrier had an MSI-positive tumor with no IHC defect. Restricting Lynch testing to women diagnosed at age < 60 years or to women with IHC defects could result in missing a substantial fraction of genetic disease.

Associations between etiologic factors and mortality after endometrial cancer diagnosis: the NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group 210 trial.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have analyzed relationships between risk factors for endometrial cancer, especially with regard to aggressive (non-endometrioid) histologic subtypes, and prognosis. We examined these relationships in the prospective NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group 210 trial. METHODS: Prior to surgery, participants completed a questionnaire assessing risk factors for gynecologic cancers. Pathology data were derived from clinical reports and central review. We used the Fine and Gray subdistribution hazards model to estimate subhazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between etiologic factors and cause-specific subhazards in the presence of competing risks. These models were stratified by tumor subtype and adjusted for stage and socioeconomic status indicators. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 60months after enrollment (range: 1day-118months). Among 4609 participants, a total of 854 deaths occurred, of which, 582 deaths were attributed to endometrial carcinoma. Among low-grade endometrioid cases, endometrial carcinoma-specific subhazards were significantly associated with age at diagnosis (HR=1.04, 95% CI=1.01-1.06 per year, P-trend) and BMI (class II obesity vs. normal BMI: HR=2.29, 95% CI=1.06-4.98, P-trend=0.01). Among high-grade endometrioid cases, endometrial carcinoma-specific subhazards were associated with age at diagnosis (HR=1.05, 95% CI=1.02-1.07 per year, P-trend<0.001). Among non-endometrioid cases, endometrial carcinoma-specific subhazards were associated with parity relative to nulliparity among serous (HR=0.55, 95% CI=0.36-0.82) and carcinosarcoma cases (HR=2.01, 95% CI=1.00-4.05). DISCUSSION: Several endometrial carcinoma risk factors are associated with prognosis, which occurs in a tumor-subtype specific context. If confirmed, these results would suggest that factors beyond histopathologic features and stage are related to prognosis. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00340808.

Assessing the prognostic role of ATR mutation in endometrioid endometrial cancer: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to validate the clinicopathologic implications and prognostic significance of ATR (ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related) mutation in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer and defective DNA mismatch repair enrolled in a cooperative group molecular staging study of endometrial cancer. METHODS: After pathology review, only endometrioid tumors with high neoplastic cellularity (≥70%) and high quality DNA for molecular analyses were included. MSI (microsatellite instability) typing was performed and the target sequence in exon 10 of ATR was evaluated by direct sequencing in all MSI-high tumors. Associations between ATR mutations and clinicopathologic variables were assessed using contingency table tests. Differences in overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated by univariate analyses and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: A total of 475 eligible cases were identified. Of 368 MSI+ cases, the sequence of interest could be successfully genotyped in 357 cases. ATR mutations were exclusively identified in 46 tumors with high level microsatellite instability (MSI+) (12.9%, p<0.001) and were associated with higher tumor grade (p=0.001). ATR mutations were not associated with OS (HR 1.16; 95% CI, 0.58-2.32; p=0.68) or DFS (HR 0.61; 95% CI, 0.25-1.50; p=0.28). CONCLUSION: Truncating mutations in exon 10 of ATR occur exclusively in tumors with evidence of defective DNA mismatch repair. We were not able to confirm the prognostic value of these mutations in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer.

Phase III randomized trial of weekly cisplatin and irradiation versus cisplatin and tirapazamine and irradiation in stages IB2, IIA, IIB, IIIB, and IVA cervical carcinoma limited to the pelvis: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

PURPOSE: This prospective, randomized phase III intergroup trial of the Gynecologic Oncology Group and National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group was designed to test the effectiveness and safety of adding the hypoxic cell sensitizer tirapazamine (TPZ) to standard cisplatin (CIS) chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced cervix cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with locally advanced cervix cancer were randomly assigned to CIS chemoradiotherapy versus CIS/TPZ chemoradiotherapy. Primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end points included overall survival (OS) and tolerability. RESULTS: PFS was evaluable in 387 of 402 patients randomly assigned over 36 months, with enrollment ending in September 2009. Because of the lack of TPZ supply, the study did not reach its original target accrual goal. At median follow-up of 28.3 months, PFS and OS were similar in both arms. Three-year PFS for the TPZ/CIS/RT and CIS/RT arms were 63.0% and 64.4%, respectively (log-rank P = .7869). Three-year OS for the TPZ/CIS/RT and CIS/RT arms were 70.5% and 70.6%, respectively (log-rank P = .8333). A scheduled interim safety analysis led to a reduction in the starting dose for the TPZ/CIS arm, with resulting tolerance in both treatment arms. CONCLUSION: TPZ/CIS chemoradiotherapy was not superior to CIS chemoradiotherapy in either PFS or OS, although definitive commentary was limited by an inadequate number of events (progression or death). TPZ/CIS chemoradiotherapy was tolerable at a modified starting dose.

Is bilateral lymphadenectomy for midline squamous carcinoma of the vulva always necessary? An analysis from Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) 173.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which patients with near midline lesions may safely undergo unilateral groin dissection based on clinical exam and lymphoscintigraphy (LSG) results. METHODS: Patients participating in GOG-173 underwent sentinel lymph node (SLN) localization with blue dye, and radiocolloid with optional LSG before definitive inguinal-femoral lymphadenectomy (LND). This analysis interrogates the reliability of LSG alone relative to primary tumor location in those patients who had an interpretable LSG and at least one SLN identified. Primary tumor location was categorized as lateral (>2cm from midline), midline, or lateral ambiguous (LA) if located within 2cm, but not involving the midline. RESULTS: Two-hundred-thirty-four patients met eligibility criteria. Sixty-four had lateral lesions, and underwent unilateral LND. All patients with LA (N=65) and midline (N=105) tumors underwent bilateral LND. Bilateral drainage by LSG was identified in 14/64 (22%) patients with lateral tumors, 38/65 (58%) with LA tumors and in 73/105 (70%) with midline tumors. At mapping, no SLNs were found in contralateral groins among those patients with LA and midline tumors who had unilateral-only LSGs. However, in these patients groin metastases were found in 4/32 patients with midline tumors undergoing contralateral dissection; none were found in 27 patients with LA tumors. CONCLUSION: The likelihood of detectable bilateral drainage using preoperative LSG decreases as a function of distance from midline. Patients with LA primaries and unilateral drainage on LSG may safely undergo unilateral SLN.

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: a gynecologic oncology group study.

PURPOSE: To determine the safety of sentinel lymph node biopsy as a replacement for inguinal femoral lymphadenectomy in selected women with vulvar cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible women had squamous cell carcinoma, at least 1-mm invasion, and tumor size ≥ 2 cm and ≤ 6 cm. The primary tumor was limited to the vulva, and there were no groin lymph nodes that were clinically suggestive of cancer. All women underwent intraoperative lymphatic mapping, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and inguinal femoral lymphadenectomy. Histologic ultra staging of the sentinel lymph node was prescribed. RESULTS: In all, 452 women underwent the planned procedures, and 418 had at least one sentinel lymph node identified. There were 132 node-positive women, including 11 (8.3%) with false-negative nodes. Twenty-three percent of the true-positive patients were detected by immunohistochemical analysis of the sentinel lymph node. The sensitivity was 91.7% (90% lower confidence bound, 86.7%) and the false-negative predictive value (1-negative predictive value) was 3.7% (90% upper confidence bound, 6.1%). In women with tumor less than 4 cm, the false-negative predictive value was 2.0% (90% upper confidence bound, 4.5%). CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a reasonable alternative to inguinal femoral lymphadenectomy in selected women with squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

Uterine serous carcinoma: increased familial risk for lynch-associated malignancies.

Serous uterine cancer is not a feature of any known hereditary cancer syndrome. This study evaluated familial risk of cancers for patients with serous uterine carcinoma, focusing on Lynch syndrome malignancies. Fifty serous or mixed serous endometrial carcinoma cases were prospectively enrolled. Pedigrees were developed for 29 probands and tumors were assessed for DNA mismatch repair (MMR) abnormalities. Standardized incidence ratios for cancers in relatives were estimated. A second-stage analysis was undertaken using data from Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)-210. Incidence data for cancers reported in relatives of 348 patients with serous and mixed epithelial and 624 patients with endometrioid carcinoma were compared. Nineteen of 29 (65.5%) patients in the single-institution series reported a Lynch-related cancer in relatives. Endometrial and ovarian cancers were significantly overrepresented and a high number of probands (6 of 29, 20.7%) reported pancreatic cancers. None of the probands' tumors had DNA MMR abnormalities. There was no difference in endometrial or ovarian cancer incidence in relatives of serous and endometrioid cancer probands in the case-control study. Pancreatic cancers were, however, significantly more common in relatives of patients with serous cancer [OR, 2.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-5.38]. We identified an excess of endometrial, ovarian, and pancreatic cancers in relatives of patients with serous cancer in a single-institution study. Follow-up studies suggest that only pancreatic cancers are overrepresented in relatives. DNA MMR defects in familial clustering of pancreatic and other Lynch-associated malignancies are unlikely. The excess of pancreatic cancers in relatives may reflect an as yet unidentified hereditary syndrome that includes uterine serous cancers.

A phase II trial of radiation therapy and weekly cisplatin chemotherapy for the treatment of locally-advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: a gynecologic oncology group study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and toxicity of radiation therapy and concurrent weekly cisplatin chemotherapy in achieving a complete clinical and pathologic response when used for the primary treatment of locally-advanced vulvar carcinoma. METHODS: Patients with locally-advanced (T3 or T4 tumors not amenable to surgical resection via radical vulvectomy), previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva were treated with radiation (1.8 Gy daily × 32 fractions=57.6 Gy) plus weekly cisplatin (40 mg/m(2)) followed by surgical resection of residual tumor (or biopsy to confirm complete clinical response). Management of the groin lymph nodes was standardized and was not a statistical endpoint. Primary endpoints were complete clinical and pathologic response rates of the primary vulvar tumor. RESULTS: A planned interim analysis indicated sufficient activity to reopen the study to a second stage of accrual. Among 58 evaluable patients, there were 40 (69%) who completed study treatment. Reasons for prematurely discontinuing treatment included: patient refusal (N=4), toxicity (N=9), death (N=2), other (N=3). There were 37 patients with a complete clinical response (37/58; 64%). Among these women there were 34 who underwent surgical biopsy and 29 (78%) who also had a complete pathological response. Common adverse effects included leukopenia, pain, radiation dermatitis, pain, or metabolic changes. CONCLUSIONS: This combination of radiation therapy plus weekly cisplatin successfully yielded high complete clinical and pathologic response rates with acceptable toxicity.

Outcome of stage IVA cervical cancer patients with disease limited to the pelvis in the era of chemoradiation: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome of stage IVA cervical cancer treated with radiation and concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of stage IVA cervical cancer patients from four trials (Gynecologic Oncology Group protocols 56, 85, 120, and 165) treated with radiotherapy with or without concurrent cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Patient records were reviewed for demographic and tumor features, treatment, and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Stage IVA patients were compared to stage IIIB patients from these same studies. RESULTS: Among the 51 stage IVA patients studied, 92% were stage IVA on the basis of bladder involvement. The median PFS was 10.1 months (95% CI=6.3-14.5 months) and median OS was 21.2 months (95% CI=13.3-30.5 months). The 3 year survival was 32%. On univariate analysis, only advanced age was associated with OS (p=0.0115) but age had only marginal effect on PFS (p=0.083). Pathologic proven pelvic nodal metastasis was of marginal significance for both PFS and OS, p=0.059 and 0.064, respectively. Despite similar patient characteristics, the use of cisplatin-based chemotherapy had no impact on PFS or OS but was underpowered to address this question. When compared to stage IIIB patients, stage IVA patients had a poorer performance status (p=0.0231), larger tumor size (p=0.0302), and more frequent bilateral parametrial involvement (0.0063). CONCLUSION: Patients with stage IVA disease had poor median survival of only 21 months with only 32% 3 year survival. Stage IVA patients have larger tumor size, more bilateral parametrial involvement, and poorer survival when compared to stage IIIB patients.

Posttherapy residual disease associates with long-term survival after chemoradiation for bulky stage 1B cervical carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to study posttherapy chemoradiation hysterectomy histology with long-term survival in bulky stage 1(B) cervical cancer patients. STUDY DESIGN: Gynecologic Oncology Group protocols 71 and 123 enrolled 464 patients randomly allocated to pelvic radiation (75 Gy, n = 291) plus hysterectomy (RTH) or to pelvic radiation (75 Gy) and cisplatin (40 mg/m(2), n = 176) plus hysterectomy (RTCH). Risk of progression and death were evaluated by posttherapy hysterectomy response (good: <10% viable; poor: ≥10% viable). RESULTS: Median survivor follow-up was 112 months. Relative risks of disease progression and death were 0.656 (95% confidence interval, 0.472-0.912) and 0.638 (95% confidence interval, 0.449-0.908), favoring RTCH. Good response patients (345; 74%) had similar 10 year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after RTH or RTCH (P > .47). Poor response patients after RTCH had superior OS (P = .046) and PFS (P = .084). Extrapelvic recurrences occurred more often in poor response patients. CONCLUSION: Posttherapy viable residual disease less than 10% was associated with reduced risk of progression and cancer-related death.

Impact of hydronephrosis on outcome of stage IIIB cervical cancer patients with disease limited to the pelvis, treated with radiation and concurrent chemotherapy: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the significance of hydronephrosis and impact of ureteral obstruction relief on outcome in patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer treated with radiation and concurrent chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively studied stage IIIB cervical cancer patients treated on GOG trials 56, 85, 120 and 165 evaluating radiation and concurrent chemotherapy. Eligible patient records were reviewed to assess the presence of hydronephrosis and treatment of ureteral obstruction. Patients were classified into three groups; no hydronephrosis, hydronephrosis relieved from ureteral obstruction via stent or percutaneous nephrostomy and hydronephrosis without treatment of ureteral obstruction. RESULTS: 539 stage IIIB patients were studied. Hydronephrosis was present in 238 (44.2%). Patient age, race, and tumor characteristics (size, histology and grade) were not significantly different between patients with or without hydronephrosis. Patients with hydronephrosis received similar doses of radiation and cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Both overall and progression-free survival were worse with hydronephrosis (log-rank test p value=0.0189 and 0.0186, respectively). Univariable analysis identified five prognostic factors; pelvic nodal metastasis (p=0.0001), tumor diameter (p=0.0007), cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiation (p=0.0031), hydronephrosis (p=0.0189), and performance status (p=0.0359). Hydronephrosis was associated with worse performance status (p<0.001). On multivariable analysis hydronephrosis was not a significant prognostic factor. Ureteral obstruction relief occurred for 88% of patients and was associated with improved survival. CONCLUSION: In patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer restricted to the pelvis, hydronephrosis at presentation is a significant but not independent prognostic factor associated with poor performance status and poorer survival. Relief of ureteral obstruction is correlated with improved outcome.