The role of race/ethnicity and age in clinical trial knowledge among patients with gynecologic malignancy.

PURPOSE: To identify whether race/ethnicity plays a role in knowledge of clinical trials among patients with a gynecologic malignancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary medical center. Participants were adults (≥18 years old), with gynecologic malignancy, and literate in English, Spanish or Chinese. Participants completed a 9-item clinical trial knowledge assessment. Demographic characteristics were summarized using descriptive statistics. A multivariable model was employed to evaluate the relationship between race/ethnicity and clinical trial knowledge. RESULTS: 245 patients were approached, 25 (10.2%) declined. Among participants, 108 (50.2%) were white, and 107 (49.8%) were people of color. Significant differences were noted for age, education, birthplace, and income; no difference was observed for cancer type or stage. The median number of correct answers for the knowledge assessment was seven. 67 (62%) white vs 26 (24.3%) people of color had an above average clinical trial knowledge score (p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed white participants were 2.7 times more likely to have an above average clinical trial knowledge score. White participants overall utilized more resources. Elder adults (≥65 years old) had higher knowledge of clinical trials compared to non-elder adults (<65 years old); however, these findings were not significant. CONCLUSION: This study observed significant differences in clinical trial knowledge between white and people of color diagnosed with a gynecologic malignancy. White patients utilize more informational resources compared to people of color. Further studies need to develop resources and outreach mechanisms that will increase access and diversity in clinical trial participation.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Ovarian Cancer/Fallopian Tube Cancer/Primary Peritoneal Cancer, Version 3.2024.

The NCCN Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer/Fallopian Tube Cancer/Primary Peritoneal Cancer provide multidisciplinary diagnostic workup, staging, and treatment recommendations for this disease. These NCCN Guidelines Insights detail how the evolution of the use of PARP inhibitors as maintenance and single-agent regimens for the treatment of ovarian cancer informed panel recommendations in the guidelines.

Incorporating low haemoglobin into a risk prediction model for conversion in minimally invasive gynaecologic oncology surgeries.

BACKGROUND: A well-known complication of laparoscopic management of gynaecologic masses and cancers is the need to perform an intraoperative conversion to laparotomy. The purpose of this study was to identify novel patient risk factors for conversion from minimally invasive to open surgeries for gynaecologic oncology operations. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of 1356 patients ≥18 years of age who underwent surgeries for gynaecologic masses or malignancies between February 2015 and May 2020 at a single academic medical centre. Multivariable logistic regression was used to study the effects of older age, higher body mass index (BMI), higher American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) physical status, and lower preoperative haemoglobin (Hb) on odds of converting from minimally invasive to open surgery. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis assessed the discriminatory ability of a risk prediction model for conversion. RESULTS: A total of 704 planned minimally invasive surgeries were included with an overall conversion rate of 6.1% (43/704). Preoperative Hb was lowest for conversion cases, compared to minimally invasive and open cases (11.6 ± 1.9 vs 12.8 ± 1.5 vs 11.8 ± 1.9 g/dL, p<.001). Patients with preoperative Hb <10 g/dL had an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3.94 (CI: 1.65-9.41, p=.002) for conversion while patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 had an adjusted OR of 2.86 (CI: 1.50-5.46, p=.001) for conversion. ROC curve analysis using predictive variables of age >50 years, BMI ≥30 kg/m2, ASA physical status >2, and preoperative haemoglobin <10 g/dL resulted in an area under the ROC curve of 0.71. Patients with 2 or more risk factors were at highest risk of requiring an intraoperative conversion (12.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Lower preoperative haemoglobin is a novel risk factor for conversion from minimally invasive to open gynaecologic oncology surgeries and stratifying patients based on conversion risk may be helpful for preoperative planning.

Minimally invasive surgery for management of gynaecologic masses (masses that affect the female reproductive organs) is often preferred over more invasive surgery, because it involves smaller surgical incisions and can have overall better recovery time. However, one unwanted complication of minimally invasive surgery is the need to unexpectedly convert the surgery to an open surgery, which entails a larger incision and is a higher risk procedure. In our study, we aimed to find patient characteristics that are associated with higher risk of converting a minimally invasive surgery to an open surgery. Our study identified that lower levels of preoperative haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen within red blood cells, is correlated with higher risk for conversion. This new risk factor was used with other known risk factors, including having higher age, higher body mass index, and higher baseline medical complexity to create a model to help surgical teams identify high risk patients for conversion. This model may be useful for surgical planning before and during the operation to improve patient outcomes.

Efficacy and safety of rucaparib treatment in patients with BRCA-mutated, relapsed ovarian cancer: final results from Study 10.

BACKGROUND: Study 10, a four-part Phase 1/2 study, evaluated oral rucaparib monotherapy in patients with advanced solid tumours. Here we report the final efficacy and safety results in heavily pretreated patients with ovarian cancer who received rucaparib in Study 10 Parts 2A and 2B. METHODS: Parts 2A and 2B (Phase 2 portions) enrolled patients with relapsed, high-grade, platinum-sensitive or platinum-resistant, BRCA-mutated ovarian cancer who had received 2-4 (Part 2A) or 3-4 (Part 2B) prior chemotherapies. Patients received oral rucaparib 600 mg twice daily (starting dose). The primary endpoint was the investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST v1.1. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were enrolled: 42 in Part 2A (all had platinum-sensitive disease) and 12 in Part 2B (4 with platinum-sensitive disease; 8 with platinum-resistant disease). ORR was 59.3% (95% CI 45.0-72.4%). The median time to onset of the most common nonhaematological treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was typically early (<56 days) and was later for haematological TEAEs (53-84 days). The median duration of grade ≥3 TEAEs was ≤13 days. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with relapsed, platinum-sensitive or platinum-resistant germline BRCA-mutant high-grade ovarian cancer who had received ≥2 prior chemotherapies, rucaparib had robust antitumour activity with a safety profile consistent with prior reports. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01482715.

Same day service: A genetic testing station model to improve germline genetic testing in patients with ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Genetic testing for ovarian cancer (OC) patients is essential to consideration of PARP inhibitor therapy. To improve access, we piloted a Genetic Testing Station (GTS) allowing patients to have a same-day genetic testing visit facilitated by Genetic Counselor Assistants (GCAs) under the supervision of Genetic Counselors (GCs). METHODS: The GTS was implemented December 2018 and operated through February 2020. Gynecologic Oncologists offered ovarian cancer patients a same-day GTS visit with a GCA. The patient received education via videos designed by GCs and then provided consent, a brief family history, and a sample for a standardized 133-gene panel. Results were provided by a GC. Patients were retrospectively identified by querying the medical record for OC patients seen 12 months prior to and 18 months after GTS implementation. RESULTS: A total of 482 patients pre-GTS were compared to 625 patients post-GTS. Genetic testing increased from 68.5% to 75.4% (p = 0.012) after implementation, primarily in patients with epithelial histologies (80% vs 89% in pre-GTS vs post-GTS, p = 0.005). Time from referral for genetic testing to obtaining results was evaluated in the post-GTS cohort, comparing patients who had traditional counseling to those who utilized the GTS. Time to obtaining results was 21 days in the GTS group (95% CI [10, 34]) compared to 56 days (95% CI [41,76]) in the traditional genetic counseling group. CONCLUSIONS: The GTS reduces barriers to care and facilitates discussion of precision treatment within a timely fashion while optimizing GC clinic time. Access improvement remains integral to improving uptake of genetic testing.

Identification of distinct symptom profiles in patients with gynecologic cancers using a pre-specified symptom cluster.

PURPOSE: Pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression are four of the most common symptoms in patients with gynecologic cancer. The purposes were to identify subgroups of patients with distinct co-occurring pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression profiles (i.e., pre-specified symptom cluster) in a sample of patients with gynecologic cancer receiving chemotherapy and assess for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the severity of other common symptoms and QOL outcomes among these subgroups. METHODS: Patients completed symptom questionnaires prior to their second or third cycle of chemotherapy. Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients using the pre-specified symptom cluster. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to evaluate for differences between the subgroups. RESULTS: In the sample of 233 patients, two distinct latent classes were identified (i.e., low (64.8%) and high (35.2%)) indicating lower and higher levels of symptom burden. Patients in high class were younger, had child care responsibilities, were unemployed, and had a lower annual income. In addition, these women had a higher body mass index, a higher comorbidity burden, and a lower functional status. Patients in the high class reported higher levels of anxiety, as well as lower levels of energy and cognitive function and poorer quality of life scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a number of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with membership in the high class. Clinicians can use this information to refer patients to dieticians and physical therapists for tailored interventions.

Up-regulated cytotrophoblast DOCK4 contributes to over-invasion in placenta accreta spectrum.

In humans, a subset of placental cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) invades the uterus and its vasculature, anchoring the pregnancy and ensuring adequate blood flow to the fetus. Appropriate depth is critical. Shallow invasion increases the risk of pregnancy complications, e.g., severe preeclampsia. Overly deep invasion, the hallmark of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS), increases the risk of preterm delivery, hemorrhage, and death. Previously a rare condition, the incidence of PAS has increased to 1:731 pregnancies, likely due to the rise in uterine surgeries (e.g., Cesarean sections). CTBs track along scars deep into the myometrium and beyond. Here we compared the global gene expression patterns of CTBs from PAS cases to gestational age-matched control cells that invaded to the normal depth from preterm birth (PTB) deliveries. The messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding the guanine nucleotide exchange factor, DOCK4, mutations of which promote cancer cell invasion and angiogenesis, was the most highly up-regulated molecule in PAS samples. Overexpression of DOCK4 increased CTB invasiveness, consistent with the PAS phenotype. Also, this analysis identified other genes with significantly altered expression in this disorder, potential biomarkers. These data suggest that CTBs from PAS cases up-regulate a cancer-like proinvasion mechanism, suggesting molecular as well as phenotypic similarities in the two pathologies.

The role of adjuvant radiation therapy in older patients with node-positive vulvar cancer: A national cancer database analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate whether the survival benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with node-positive vulvar cancer is maintained in older patients, who comprise a large subgroup of patients with vulvar cancer. METHODS: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for patients aged 65 years or older, who were diagnosed with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma from 2004 to 2017 and underwent surgery with confirmed node-positive disease. Statistical analysis was performed with propensity-score matching, chi-square test, log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier, and multivariable Cox proportional regression. RESULTS: A total of 2396 patients were analyzed, and 1517 (63.3%) received adjuvant radiotherapy. Median follow-up was 73 months. Median age at diagnosis was 77 years (range 65-90). In the propensity score-matched cohort, five-year overall survival (OS) was 29%. Five-year OS was 33% in patients who received surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and 26% in patients who received surgery alone (p < 0.0001). Multivariable analysis continued to demonstrate a survival benefit associated with the addition of adjuvant radiotherapy (OR 0.77 [95% CI 0.69-00.87], p < 0.001). Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with improved OS among patients aged 65-84 (5-year OS 35% vs 29%, p = 0.0004), but not in patients aged 85 years and older (5-year OS 20% vs 19%, p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: This NCDB study suggests that in older patients with node-positive vulvar cancer, radiotherapy continues to be a vital component of multimodality therapy. However, a comprehensive and geriatrics-specific approach is crucial for treating older adults with node-positive vulvar cancer, as the benefit of adjuvant radiotherapy may be compromised by treatment-related morbidity/toxicity.

Better late than never: Brachytherapy is more important than timing in treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the utilization of brachytherapy and duration of treatment on overall survival for locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried to identify stage II-IVA cervical cancer patients diagnosed in the United States between 2004 and 2015 who were treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy. We defined standard of care (SOC) treatment as receiving external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and concurrent chemotherapy, brachytherapy (BT), and completing treatment within 8 weeks, and compared SOC treatment to non-SOC. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). We also evaluated the effect of sociodemographic and clinical variables on receiving SOC. RESULTS: We identified 10,172 women with locally advanced cervical cancer primarily treated with chemotherapy and concurrent EBRT of which 6047 (59.4%) patients received brachytherapy, and only 2978 (29.3%) completed treatment within 8 weeks (SOC). Receipt of SOC was associated with significantly improved overall survival (median OS 131.0 mos vs 95.5 mos, 78.1 mos, 49.2 mos; p < 0.0001). Furthemore, in patients whose treatment extended beyond 8 weeks, brachytherapy was still associated with an improved survival (median OS 95.5 vs 49.2 mos, p < 0.0001). More advanced stage, Non-Hispanic Black race, lower income, lack of insurance or government insurance, less education, and rural residence were associated with decreased likelihood of receiving SOC. CONCLUSIONS: Completing standard of care concurrent chemoradiation therapy and brachytherapy in the recommended 8 weeks was associated with a superior overall survival. Patients who received brachytherapy boost show superior survival to patients receiving EBRT alone, regardless of treatment duration. Disparities in care for vulnerable populations highlight the challenges and importance of care coordination for patients with cervical cancer.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Ovarian Cancer, Version 3.2022.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States, with less than half of patients living >5 years following diagnosis. The NCCN Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer provide recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up for patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the panel discussion behind recent important updates to the guidelines, including revised guidance on alternative chemotherapy regimens for patients with advanced age and/or comorbidities, a new algorithm for recurrent low-grade serous carcinoma based on developing research and novel therapeutic agents, and updated language regarding tumor molecular analysis applications in ovarian cancer.

Loneliness and symptom burden in oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Loneliness and social isolation are significant public health problems that are being exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Little is known about the associations between loneliness and symptom burden in oncology patients before and during the pandemic. Study purposes include determining the prevalence of loneliness in a sample of oncology patients; evaluating for differences in demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics between lonely and nonlonely patients; and determining which demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics were associated with membership in the lonely group. METHODS: A convenience sample (n = 606) completed online surveys that evaluated the severity of loneliness, social isolation, and common symptoms (ie, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive dysfunction, and pain) in oncology patients. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to evaluate for differences in scores between the lonely and nonlonely groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for membership in the loneliness group. RESULTS: Of the 606 patients, 53.0% were categorized in the lonely group. The lonely group reported higher levels of social isolation, as well as higher symptom severity scores for all of the symptoms evaluated. In the multivariate model, being unmarried, having higher levels of social isolation, as well as higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with membership in the lonely group. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that a significant number of oncology patients are experiencing loneliness, most likely as a result of mandate social distancing and isolation procedures. The symptom burden of these patients is extremely high and warrants clinical evaluation and interventions.

Characterization of patients with long-term responses to rucaparib treatment in recurrent ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To describe molecular and clinical characteristics of patients with high-grade recurrent ovarian carcinoma (HGOC) who had long-term responses to the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor rucaparib. METHODS: This post hoc analysis pooled patients from Study 10 (NCT01482715; Parts 2A and 2B; n = 54) and ARIEL2 (NCT01891344; Parts 1 and 2; n = 491). Patients with investigator-assessed complete or partial response per RECIST were classified based on duration of response (DOR): long (≥1 year), intermediate (6 months to <1 year), or short (<6 months). Next-generation sequencing was used to detect deleterious mutations and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in tumors. RESULTS: Overall, 25.3% (138/545) of enrolled patients were responders. Of these, 27.5% (38/138) had long-term responses; 28.3% (39/138) were intermediate- and 34.8% (48/138) were short-term responders. Most of the long-term responders harbored a BRCA1 or BRCA2 (BRCA) mutation (71.1%, 27/38), and BRCA structural variants were most frequent among long-term responders (14.8%; 4/27). Responders with HGOC harboring a BRCA structural variant (n = 5) had significantly longer DOR than patients with other mutation types (n = 81; median not reached vs 0.62 years; HR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.10-0.43; unadjusted p = 0.014). Among responders with BRCA wild-type HGOC, most long- and intermediate-term responders had high genome-wide LOH: 81.8% (9/11) and 76.9% (10/13), respectively, including 7 with deleterious RAD51C, RAD51D, or CDK12 mutations. CONCLUSION: Among patients who responded to rucaparib, a substantial proportion achieved responses lasting ≥1 year. These analyses demonstrate the relationship between DOR to PARP inhibitor treatment and molecular characteristics in HGOC, such as presence of reversion-resistant BRCA structural variants.

Population exposure-efficacy and exposure-safety analyses for rucaparib in patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma from Study 10 and ARIEL2.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate correlations between rucaparib exposure and selected efficacy and safety endpoints in patients with recurrent ovarian carcinoma using pooled data from Study 10 and ARIEL2. METHODS: Efficacy analyses were limited to patients with carcinomas harboring a deleterious BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation who had received ≥2 prior lines of chemotherapy. Safety was evaluated in all patients who received ≥1 rucaparib dose. Steady-state daily area under the concentration-time curve (AUCss) and maximum concentration (Cmax,ss) for rucaparib were calculated for each patient and averaged by actual dose received over time (AUCavg,ss and Cmax,avg,ss) using a previously developed population pharmacokinetic model. RESULTS: Rucaparib exposure was dose-proportional and not associated with baseline patient weight. In the exposure-efficacy analyses (n = 121), AUCavg,ss was positively associated with independent radiology review-assessed RECIST response in the subgroup of patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent disease (n = 75, p = 0.017). In the exposure-safety analyses (n = 393, 40 mg once daily to 840 mg twice daily [BID] starting doses), most patients received a 600 mg BID rucaparib starting dose, with 27% and 21% receiving 1 or ≥2 dose reductions, respectively. Cmax,ss was significantly correlated with grade ≥2 serum creatinine increase, grade ≥3 alanine transaminase/aspartate transaminase increase, platelet decrease, fatigue/asthenia, and maximal hemoglobin decrease (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The exposure-response analyses provide support for the approved starting dose of rucaparib 600 mg BID for maximum clinical benefit with subsequent dose modification only following the occurrence of a treatment-emergent adverse event in patients with BRCA-mutated recurrent ovarian carcinoma.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal, Version 1.2021.

Identifying individuals with hereditary syndromes allows for timely cancer surveillance, opportunities for risk reduction, and syndrome-specific management. Establishing criteria for hereditary cancer risk assessment allows for the identification of individuals who are carriers of pathogenic genetic variants. The NCCN Guidelines for Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal provides recommendations for the assessment and management of patients at risk for or diagnosed with high-risk colorectal cancer syndromes. The NCCN Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Colorectal panel meets annually to evaluate and update their recommendations based on their clinical expertise and new scientific data. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)/attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) syndrome and considerations for management of duodenal neoplasia.

Ovarian Cancer, Version 2.2020, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States and is the country's fifth most common cause of cancer mortality in women. A major challenge in treating ovarian cancer is that most patients have advanced disease at initial diagnosis. These NCCN Guidelines discuss cancers originating in the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum, as these are all managed in a similar manner. Most of the recommendations are based on data from patients with the most common subtypes─high-grade serous and grade 2/3 endometrioid. The NCCN Guidelines also include recommendations specifically for patients with less common ovarian cancers, which in the guidelines include the following: carcinosarcoma, clear cell carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, low-grade serous, grade 1 endometrioid, borderline epithelial, malignant sex cord-stromal, and malignant germ cell tumors. This manuscript focuses on certain aspects of primary treatment, including primary surgery, adjuvant therapy, and maintenance therapy options (including PARP inhibitors) after completion of first-line chemotherapy.

Primary treatment of advanced ovarian cancer: how does the 'real world' practice?

Aims: This study evaluated primary treatment modalities in advanced ovarian cancer according to sociodemographic characteristics and characterized chemotherapy regimens used. Methods: This was a retrospective study of newly diagnosed advanced ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer patients at two hospitals from 2011 to 2016. Results: Of 175 women, 41% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 59% received primary cytoreductive surgery. Within the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 23% did not have a surgical consultation prior to initiating treatment. Women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy lived closer to an academic center and more frequently received carboplatin/paclitaxel every 3 weeks. Cytoreductive surgery patients more frequently received intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Conclusion: The authors identified disparities in age, insurance, distance from treatment center and chemotherapy choice in the primary treatment for ovarian cancer.

Lay abstract Aims: This study evaluated surgery versus chemotherapy in stage III or IV ovarian cancer and whether differences exist between different groups of patients. Methods: This study looked at newly diagnosed stage III/IV ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer patients at two hospitals from 2011 to 2016. Results: Of 175 women, 41% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 59% received primary cytoreductive surgery. Within the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 23% did not see a gynecologic oncologist prior to initiating treatment. Women receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy lived closer to an academic center and more frequently received carboplatin/paclitaxel every 3 weeks. Cytoreductive surgery patients more frequently received intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Conclusion: The authors identified differences in age, insurance, distance from treatment center and chemotherapy choice in the treatment for ovarian cancer.

Oncology patients' perceptions of and experiences with COVID-19.

PURPOSE: No information is available on cancer patients' knowledge of and experiences with COVID-19. We undertook an evaluation of differences in COVID-19 symptom occurrence rates, COVID-19 testing rates, clinical care activities, knowledge of COVID-19, and use of mitigation procedures between patients who were and were not receiving active cancer treatment. METHODS: Patients enrolled were > 18 years of age; had a diagnosis of cancer; and were able to complete the emailed study survey online. RESULTS: Of the 174 patients who participated, 27.6% (n = 48) were receiving active treatment, 13.6% were unemployed because of COVID-19, 12.2% had been tested for COVID-19, and 0.6% had been hospitalized for COVID-19. Patients who were not on active treatment reported a higher mean number of COVID-19 symptoms (3.1 (± 4.2) versus 1.9 (± 2.6)), and patients who reported a higher number of COVID-19 symptoms were more likely to be tested. Over 55% of the patients were confident that their primary care provider could diagnose COVID-19, and the majority of the patients had high levels of adherence with the use of precautionary measures (e.g., social distancing, use of face coverings). CONCLUSION: The high level of COVID-19 symptoms and the significant overlap of COVID-19 and cancer-related symptoms pose challenges for clinicians who are assessing and triaging oncology patients for COVID-19 testing. For patients on active treatment, clinicians face challenges with how to assess and manage symptoms that, prior to COVID-19, would be ascribed to acute toxicities associated with cancer treatments or persistent symptoms in cancer survivors.

Adjuvant radiation followed by chemotherapy is associated with improved overall survival in endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Although multimodality therapy has been shown to improve outcomes for patients with high-risk endometrial carcinoma, optimal type and timing of adjuvant therapies is unknown. METHODS: Patients with stage I-IVA endometrial carcinoma diagnosed from 2004 to 2015, and treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation were identified in the National Cancer Database. Adjuvant treatment was categorized as sequential radiation followed by chemotherapy (RT-CT), concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT, RT and CT started within 7 days), or sequential chemotherapy followed by radiation (CT-RT). Analysis for propensity score matched (PSM) cohorts comparing RT-CT to CCRT and CT-RT groups was additionally performed. RESULTS: A total of 17,070 patients were identified, including 12,402 (72.7%) treated with RT-CT, 2,153 (12.6%) with CCRT, and 2,515 (14.7%) with CT-RT. Median follow-up was 44.3 months. Five-year overall-survival (OS) by adjuvant treatment regimen was 77.3% (95% CI 76.4%-78.2%), 74.3% (95% CI 72.0%-76.3%), and 74.4% (95% CI 72.5%-76.3%), respectively (p < .001). When unmatched cohorts were stratified by stage, adjuvant RT-CT was associated with improved OS in stage I and III patients. A similar survival advantage associated with RT-CT was observed in PSM cohorts comparing RT-CT group to CCRT/CT-RT group (5-year OS 77.4% vs 74.2%, p = .001). However, the difference in OS was significant only among stage III patients (RT-CT 73.9% compared to CCRT/CT-RT 69.7%, p =.002). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest survival benefit with adjuvant RT-CT compared to CT-RT or CCRT in patients undergoing trimodality therapy for endometrial cancer. This survival benefit may be limited to stage III patients.

An integrated molecular profile of endometrioid ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Endometrioid ovarian carcinoma (EOVC) is an uncommon subtype of epithelial ovarian carcinoma and its molecular characteristics have been incompletely described. Prior sequencing investigations have been limited to targeted gene panels. We performed whole-exome sequencing to build an unbiased genetic profile of molecular alterations in endometrioid ovarian tumors with a goal to better understand this disease in the context of epithelial ovarian cancer and endometrioid uterine cancers. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing was performed on EOVC samples (n = 26) and matched normals (n = 15). Gene mutations, mutational signatures and copy number variations (CNVs) informed a multi-dimensional regression classifier allowing for comparison to endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) and high grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC). RESULTS: EOVC has a distinct and heterogeneous genomic profile. Identified significantly mutated genes in EOVC (PTEN, CTNNB1, PIK3CA, KMT2D, KMT2B, PIK3R1, ARID1A and TP53) occurred at similar frequencies in UCEC. Hypermutation, resulting from both mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd) and POLE mutation, was observed in EOVC at a frequency similar to UCEC. Like UCEC, a subset of EOVC cases closely resembled HGSC, harboring TP53 mutations, homologous recombination deficiency (HRd) mutation signatures and widespread CNVs. A machine-learning classifier confirmed the heterogeneous composition of EOVC. Potential therapeutic targets were identified in 62% of EOVC cases. We validated our findings in an orthogonal clinical sequencing registry of EOVC cases. CONCLUSIONS: We identified that EOVC are a molecularly heterogeneous group of epithelial ovarian cancers with distinct mutational signatures. In an age of precision oncology, there is a pressing need to understand the unique molecular drivers in uncommon histologic subtypes to facilitate genomically driven oncologic treatments.

Perceived stress is associated with a higher symptom burden in cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Although multiple co-occurring symptoms are a significant problem for cancer survivors, to the authors' knowledge little is known regarding the phenotypic characteristics associated with a higher symptom burden. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the occurrence, severity, and distress associated with 32 symptoms and examine the phenotypic and stress characteristics associated with a higher symptom burden. METHODS: A total of 623 cancer survivors completed a demographic questionnaire, as well as measures of functional status, comorbidity, and global (Perceived Stress Scale) and cancer-related (Impact of Event Scale-Revised) stress. The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale was used to evaluate symptom burden. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the phenotypic characteristics associated with a higher symptom burden. RESULTS: The mean number of symptoms was 9.1 (±5.2). The most common, severe, and distressing symptoms were lack of energy, problems with sexual interest/activity, and hair loss, respectively. Poorer functional status, a higher level of comorbidity, and a history of smoking as well as higher Perceived Stress Scale and Impact of Event Scale-Revised scores were associated with a higher symptom burden. The overall model explained approximately 45.6% of the variance in symptom burden. CONCLUSIONS: Although cancer survivors report a high number of co-occurring symptoms of moderate severity and distress, in the current study, no disease or treatment characteristics were found to be associated with a higher symptom burden. Clinicians need to assess for general and disease-specific stressors and provide referrals for stress management interventions. Future studies need to examine the longitudinal relationships among symptom burden, functional status, and level of comorbidity, as well as the mechanisms that underlie the associations between stress and symptom burden.