Management of endometrial cancer in Latin America: raising the standard of care and optimizing outcomes.

Molecular characterization of endometrial cancer is allowing for increased understanding of the natural history of tumors and paving a more solid pathway for novel therapies. It is becoming increasingly apparent that molecular classification is superior to histological classification in terms of reproducibility and prognostic discrimination. In particular, the Proactive Molecular Risk Classifier for Endometrial Cancer allows classification of endometrial cancer into groups very close to those determined by the Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network-that is, DNA polymerase epsilon-mutated, mismatch repair-deficient, p53 abnormal, and non-specific molecular profile tumors. The transition from the chemotherapy era to the age of targeted agents and immunotherapy, which started later in endometrial cancer than in many other tumor types, requires widespread availability of specialized pathology and access to novel agents. Likewise, surgical expertise and state-of-the-art radiotherapy modalities are required to ensure adequate care. Nevertheless, Latin American countries still face considerable barriers to implementation of international guidelines. As we witness the dawn of precision medicine as applied to endometrial cancer, we must make continued efforts towards improving the quality of care in this region. The current article discusses some of these challenges and possible solutions.

FLABRA, frontline approach for BRCA testing in an ovarian cancer population: a Latin America epidemiologic study.

Aim: FLABRA evaluated the prevalence of BRCA mutations, genetic counseling and management approaches in patients with ovarian cancer in Latin America. Patients & methods: Patients with ovarian cancer from six Latin-American countries were enrolled. Tumor samples were tested for BRCA mutations (BRCAmut). In cases with BRCAmut, blood samples were analyzed to determine germline versus somatic mutations. Medical records were reviewed for counseling approach and treatment plan. Results: From 472 patients enrolled, 406 samples yielded conclusive results: 282 were BRCA wild-type (BRCAwt), 115 were BRCAmut and nine were variants of uncertain significance. In total, 110/115 were tested for germline mutations (77 germline and 33 somatic). Conclusion: Tumor testing to identify mutations in BRCA1/2 in ovarian cancer can help optimize treatment choices, meaning fewer patients require germline testing and genetic counseling, a scant resource in Latin America. Clinical trial registration: NCT02984423 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Optimizing treatment selection and sequencing decisions for first-line maintenance therapy of newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer.

The incidence and mortality rates of ovarian cancer are increasing globally. Ovarian cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage in 80% of women. After standard, platinum-based, front-line chemotherapy, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and antiangiogenic agents are successfully employed as maintenance strategies for newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer patients. Landmark clinical studies, including SOLO-1, PAOLA-1, PRIMA, and VELIA, have provided crucial insights on optimizing first-line maintenance treatment using PARP inhibitors. A group of ovarian cancer experts, primarily from low- and middle-income countries, met in September 2019 to discuss new developments for the first-line treatment of ovarian cancer and its implications. Key implications of the evolving clinical data included: (1) olaparib or niraparib maintenance therapy appears to be the preferred choice for patients with BRCA1/2 mutations; hence, BRCA testing is beneficial in identifying these patients; (2) niraparib monotherapy and olaparib in combination with bevacizumab have demonstrated significant benefit in progression-free survival (PFS) in homologous recombination deficiency (HRD)-positive patients; (3) bevacizumab, niraparib alone, or observation can be an alternative for HRD-negative patients; (4) further data is warranted to explore the role of PARP inhibitors in treating HRD-negative, ovarian cancer patients to confirm findings of the exploratory analysis of PRIMA; (5) PARP inhibitors may be beneficial for stage IV ovarian cancer patients with inoperable disease and patients with prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy; and (6) there is an urgent need to increase awareness in both clinicians and patients on BRCA and HRD testing for optimizing treatment decision-making and improving clinical outcomes in newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer patients. In clinical medicine, the limited availability of family history (FH) information and the complexity of FH criteria has hampered the implementation of BRCA testing. Moreover, many cancer patients with BRCA mutations are not tested because they do not meet the criteria for FH. Consequently, BRCA testing in many high income countries, including the US and Australia, is underused and used inappropriately, which has resulted in the loss of valuable opportunities for better cancer management and cancer prevention.

Management of relapsed ovarian cancer: a review.

Around 70 % of ovarian cancer patients relapse after primary cytoreductive surgery and standard first-line chemotherapy. The biology of relapse remains unclear, but cancer stem cells seem to play an important role. There are still some areas of controversy on how to manage these relapses and or progressions that occur almost unavoidably in the course of this disease with shorter intervals between them as the natural history of this disease develops. The goal of treatments investigated in this neoplasm has shifted to maintenance therapy, trying to extend the progression free intervals in a disease that is becoming more and more protracted.

Análisis retrospectivo institucional de tratamiento quimio-radioterápico definitivo en cáncer de cuello uterino localmente avanzado / Institutional retrospective analysis of definitive chemo-radiotherapy treatment in locally advanced cervical cancer

El objetivo fue analizar retrospectivamente, en pacientes con cáncer de cuello uterino localmente avanzado tratados en nuestro centro, el perfil de toxicidad de la radioterapia concurrente con platinos mono droga o combinados con gemcitabine y su impacto en el tratamiento. Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y observacional de pacientes con cáncer de cuello uterino localmente avanzado (estadios IIa/IVa) desde marzo de 2011 a febrero de 2016. Se analizaron características patológicas, dosis de tratamiento radiante y quimioterápico, así como toxicidades graves (GIII/IV) y su impacto en el tratamiento, observado como reducción o suspensión de dosis y/o split de radioterapia (RT). Se evaluaron 60 pacientes, edad mediana 47 años (17-75), 93% PS0-1. Histología: escamoso (89%) y adenocarcinoma (8%). Estadio IIb 24 (40%) y IIIb 16 (27%). Dosis de RT utilizada 5040cGy; 35 (58%) realizaron boost y 47 (78%) braquiterapia posterior. Cuarenta y cinco realizaron tratamiento concurrente con PLA y 15 con platinos/gemcitabine (PLA/GEM). En el grupo que recibió PLA, uno requirió reducción de dosis de quimioterapia (QT), dos suspendieron algún ciclo por toxicidad y tres realizaron split de RT. El 100% completó el tratamiento de quimioradioterapia (QRT) concurrente. En el grupo que recibió PLA/GEM: 9 requirieron reducción de dosis de QT, 11 suspendieron algún ciclo y 4 no completaron el esquema por toxicidad; 4 hicieron split de RT, y 87% completó el tratamiento de RT. En este estudio, el esquema concurrente con quimioterapia combinada muestra mayor toxicidad que impacta en el cumplimiento del tratamiento, 15% no lo completó por toxicidades graves. No obstante, un correcto manejo institucional de toxicidades, permite utilizar la combinación de tratamiento para obtener potenciales beneficios (AU)

This is a retrospective analysis of profile toxicity and treatment impact of gemcitabine plus platinum radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervix cancer, treated at our Centre. Descriptive, retrospective and observational study of patients with locally advanced cervix cancer (Ila/IVa stages), since March 2011 until February 2016. The analysis included the pathological characteristics, chemo radiotherapy doses, as well as severs toxicity (GIII/V) and it impact in treatment observed as reduction or suspension of doses and/or radiotherapy (RT) split. There were evaluated 60 patients of 47 median age (17-75), 93-5 PS0-1. Histology: 89% of squamous cell carcinoma and 8% of adenocarcinoma. 40% of IIb 24 and 27% of IIIB 16 stages. RT doses used 5040cGy; 35 pts (58%) did boost and 47 pts (78%) followed with brachytherapy. 45pts took PLA concurrent treatment, 15pts gemcitabine plus platinum (PLA/GEM). Regarding PLA group, one required a doses reduction of chemotherapy (QT), 2pts suspended a cycle due to toxicity and 3pts did RT split. 100% pts completed chemo radiotherapy (QRT) concurrent treatment. Regarding PLA/GEM group: 9pts required QT doses reduction, 11pts suspended a cycle due to toxicity and 4 didn´t complete the cycle due to toxicity; 4 did RT split and 87% completed RT. The study shown that the scheme of concurrent combined chemotherapy presents higher toxicity that impacts in the fulfillment of treatment, 66 ONCOLOGÍA CLÍNICA - Vol. 21 Nº 3 - Diciembre 2016 15% couldn´t complete due to sever toxicity. However, a correct institutional manage of toxicities allows to use treatment combination to obtain potential benefits (AU)