Predictors of cerclage failure in patients with singleton pregnancy undergoing prophylactic cervical cerclage.

PURPOSE: The role of cervical cerclage to prevent preterm birth (PTB) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors for cerclage failure among singleton pregnant women following prophylactic cerclage (PC). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of PC was performed in a single center. The main outcome measure was cerclage failure, defined by spontaneous early PTB prior to 32 weeks' gestation. Age, BMI, history of instrumentation of the uterus, history of second trimester miscarriage, previous conization, positive vaginal swab prior cerclage, gestational age at time of cerclage, CRP 1 week after cerclage and post-cerclage US changes of cervical length were tested as predictive factors. Descriptive statistical and binary logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: 141 women underwent cerclage procedures between 2007 and 2016. 39 patients had PC with McDonald suture, singleton pregnancy and complete clinical follow-up information, thus fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Multivariate analysis showed that history of instrumentation of the uterus was the only independent prognostic factor [OR = 0.14 (0.03, 0.72) p = 0.019] for cerclage failure. CONCLUSION: This is the first study showing that a history of previous uterine instrumentation is an independent predictor of cerclage failure. This finding has significant clinical implications for women of childbearing age, particularly when management of miscarriage/abortion is being considered. Women should be informed about the potential risks when counseled prior to surgical evacuation and medical management or cervical ripening should be considered. These results are also helpful in counseling patients undergoing cerclage, when a prior uterine instrumentation has been performed.

Correction to: Predictors of cerclage failure in patients with singleton pregnancy undergoing prophylactic cervical cerclage.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The presentation of Table 3 was incorrect. The corrected Table 3 is given below.

Tertiary cytoreduction for recurrent endometrial cancer.

This paper reviews the surgical approach experiences in endometrial cancer recurrence and presents for the first time data on the surgical management of endometrial cancer patients at the time of their second recurrence. Surgery could represent a pivotal role in selected cases of recurrent endometrial cancer, offering long-term complete remissions and a survival advantage.

PARP inhibition: A promising therapeutic target in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is burdened by the highest mortality rate among gynecological cancers. Gold standard is represented by the association of platinum-taxane -based chemotherapy and radical surgery. Despite several adjustments occurred in cytotoxic drug in last decades, most patients continue to relapse, and no significant enhancement has been reached in the overall survival. The development of drug resistance and the recurrence of disease have prompted the investigations of other targets that can be used in the treatment of ovarian cancers. Among such targets, polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) represents a novel way to target specific patways involved in tumor growth. PARP accelerates the reaction of the polyADP-ribosylation of proteins implicated in DNA repair. PARP inhibitors have shown activity in cancers with BRCA mutations, with other deficient DNA repair genes or signaling pathways that modulate DNA repair, or in association with DNA damaging agents not involved in DNA repair dysfunction. A number of inhibitors for PARP has been developed, and such drugs are under investigation in clinical trials to identify their impact in the treatment of ovarian cancers. This review aims to summarize the recent researches and clinical progress on PARP inhibitors as novel target agents in ovarian cancer.

Past, present and future strategies of immunotherapy in gynecological malignancies.

Recently, the combining of different drugs has greatly improved response and survival rates in gynecological malignancies. Results are however far from being satisfactory. Treatments used in case of advanced or recurrent disease offer limited results in terms of long-term responses. The urgent need for new and more effective treatments has prompted researchers to investigate and propose new therapeutic strategies. One of the most interesting approaches that are being explored is constituted by immunotherapy. Currently, immunotherapeutic strategies include vaccination with peptide, viral vectors, carbohydrates and antiidiotypic antibodies. In addition, cell based immunotherapy has been adopted in vitro activated lymphocytes and dendritic cells. Most experience has been acquired in ovarian cancer and cervical cancer. Little has been investigated in endometrial and rare gynecologic neoplasms.The clinical experiences and results achieved with immunotherapy in this setting of patients have been reviewed and the future avenues that are currently being explored have also been discussed.