Aesthetic Outcome and Psychosexual Distress After Treatment for Vulvar High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared aesthetic outcome, psychosexual distress, and treatment satisfaction between women receiving surgical treatment or medical treatment with imiquimod for vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an extended analysis of the multicenter, randomized noninferiority trial "topical imiquimod versus surgery for vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia." Patients were randomized to primary topical treatment or surgery and stratified by unifocal or multifocal disease. Digital photos of vulvar appearance were subsequently assessed for aesthetic outcome by 3 investigators blinded to group allocation. Psychosexual distress and treatment satisfaction were assessed with the Cervical Dysplasia Distress Questionnaire, the Sexual Activity Questionnaire, and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients aged between 19 and 82 years were enrolled. Per-protocol analysis showed complete clinical response in 80% (37/46) using imiquimod, compared with 79% (41/52) after one surgical intervention. Photodocumentation at baseline and 6-month follow-up was available for 84 of these patients (44 imiquimod, 40 surgery). Blinded reviewer assessments of lesion size and lesion severity showed improvement from baseline to follow-up, with no differences between treatment groups. Sexual pleasure, discomfort, and distress remained stable from baseline to follow-up in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Good aesthetic outcome of vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion treatment can be achieved with imiquimod and surgery, consisting of ablation or local excision. Treatment satisfaction and stable psychosexual health may not be dependent on chosen treatment modality, but rather on counseling in accordance with patients' preferences.

Corrected Allele Frequency of BRCA1/2 Mutations Is an Independent Prognostic Factor for Treatment Response to PARP-Inhibitors in Ovarian Cancer Patients.

PARP inhibitors (PARPi) have increased treatment options in ovarian cancer, particularly in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations, although there are still marked differences in the duration of patients' response to this targeted therapy. BRCA testing is routinely performed in tumor tissue of ovarian cancer patients. The resulting molecular pathological findings include the genetic nomenclature of the mutation, the frequency of the mutated allele (variant allele frequency, VAF), and the tumor cell content. VAF measures the percentage of mutated alleles from the total alleles in the cells of the examined tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of VAF on the therapeutic response to PARPis in ovarian cancer patients. Epithelial ovarian cancer patients harboring BRCA1/2 tumor mutations, who underwent germline testing and received PARPi therapy at the Medical University of Vienna (n = 41) were included in the study. Corrected VAF (cVAF) was calculated based on VAF, tumor cell content, and germline mutation. Patients were divided into two groups based on their cVAF. Median PFS under PARPi in patients with low cVAF was 13.0 months (IQR [10.3-not reached]) and was not reached in the high cVAF group. High cVAF was significantly associated with longer PFS in the multivariate analysis (HR = 0.07; 95% CI [0.01-0.63]; p = 0.017). In conclusion, high cVAF was associated with a significantly better response to PARPi in this study population.

Defining Models to Classify between Benign and Malignant Adnexal Masses Using Routine Laboratory Parameters.

Discrimination between benign and malignant adnexal masses is essential for optimal treatment planning, but still remains challenging in a routine clinical setting. In this retrospective study, we aimed to compare albumin as a single parameter to calculate models by analyzing laboratory parameters of 1552 patients with an adnexal mass (epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC): n= 294; borderline tumor of the ovary (BTO): n = 66; benign adnexal mass: n = 1192) undergoing surgery. Models comprising classical laboratory parameters show better accuracies (AUCs 0.92-0.93; 95% CI 0.90-0.95) compared to the use of single markers, and could easily be implemented in clinical practice by containing only readily available markers. This has been incorporated into a nomogram.

Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Expression in Tumor-Associated Neovasculature Is an Independent Prognostic Marker in Patients with Ovarian Cancer.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is present in the tumor-associated neovasculature of many cancer types. Current data in ovarian cancer are limited and controversial; thus, the aim of this study was to investigate PSMA expression in a larger and homogenous patient cohort. This might lead to further studies investigating the use of imaging and therapeutic modalities targeting PSMA. Eighty patients with advanced stage high-grade serous ovarian cancers were included. Using immunohistochemistry, PSMA and CD31, a marker for endothelial cells, were examined in whole tissue sections. Percentage and intensity of PSMA expression were determined in the neovasculature. Expression levels were correlated with clinicopathological parameters and survival. Low (≤10%), medium (20-80%), and high (≥90%) PSMA expression was found in 14, 46, and 20 ovarian cancer samples, respectively. PSMA expression was confined to tumor-associated neovasculature and significantly correlated with progression-free (HR 2.24, 95% CI 1.32-3.82, p = 0.003) and overall survival (HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.41-5.29, p = 0.003) in multivariate models, considering age, FIGO stage, and residual disease. This is the first study showing a clinical relevance for PSMA in patients with ovarian cancer. PSMA was detected in the vast majority of cancer samples and showed an impact on survival.

Biomarker-Based Models for Preoperative Assessment of Adnexal Mass: A Multicenter Validation Study.

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal genital malignancy in women. We aimed to develop and validate new proteomic-based models for non-invasive diagnosis of OC. We also compared them to the modified Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA-50), the Copenhagen Index (CPH-I) and our earlier Proteomic Model 2017. Biomarkers were assessed using bead-based multiplex technology (Luminex®) in 356 women (250 with malignant and 106 with benign ovarian tumors) from five European centers. The training cohort included 279 women from three centers, and the validation cohort 77 women from two other centers. Of six previously studied serum proteins (CA125, HE4, osteopontin [OPN], prolactin, leptin, and macrophage migration inhibitory factor [MIF]), four contributed significantly to the Proteomic Model 2021 (CA125, OPN, prolactin, MIF), while leptin and HE4 were omitted by the algorithm. The Proteomic Model 2021 revealed a c-index of 0.98 (95% CI 0.96, 0.99) in the training cohort; however, in the validation cohort it only achieved a c-index of 0.82 (95% CI 0.72, 0.91). Adding patient age to the Proteomic Model 2021 constituted the Combined Model 2021, with a c-index of 0.99 (95% CI 0.97, 1) in the training cohort and a c-index of 0.86 (95% CI 0.78, 0.95) in the validation cohort. The Full Combined Model 2021 (all six proteins with age) yielded a c-index of 0.98 (95% CI 0.97, 0.99) in the training cohort and a c-index of 0.89 (95% CI 0.81, 0.97) in the validation cohort. The validation of our previous Proteomic Model 2017, as well as the ROMA-50 and CPH-I revealed a c-index of 0.9 (95% CI 0.82, 0.97), 0.54 (95% CI 0.38, 0.69) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.85, 0.98), respectively. In postmenopausal women, the three newly developed models all achieved a specificity of 1.00, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 1.00, and a sensitivity of >0.9. Performance in women under 50 years of age (c-index below 0.6) or with normal CA125 (c-index close to 0.5) was poor. CA125 and OPN had the best discriminating power as single markers. In summary, the CPH-I, the two combined 2021 Models, and the Proteomic Model 2017 showed satisfactory diagnostic accuracies, with no clear superiority of either model. Notably, although combining values of only four proteins with age, the Combined Model 2021 performed comparably to the Full Combined Model 2021. The models confirmed their exceptional diagnostic performance in women aged ≥50. All models outperformed the ROMA-50.

Association of a Combined Cancer Exhaustion Score with Circulating Tumor Cells and Outcome in Ovarian Cancer-A Study of the OVCAD Consortium.

We investigated the prognostic role of systemic characteristics for cancer exhaustion and the presence of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in primary epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients. We included 185 patients in this multicenter study with a median follow-up time of 10.25 years. Albumin, c-reactive protein (CRP) and the kynurenine to tryptophan ratio (Kyn/Trp) as well as the CTC-related marker cyclophilin C (PPIC) were obtained before primary therapy and were correlated to the respective clinical and outcome data. The information provided by albumin and Kyn/Trp was integrated in a combined score for cancer exhaustion (CCES). A high CCES characterized by hypoalbuminemia and a high Kyn/Trp was associated with both decreased overall and progression-free survival, independent from other known prognostic factors in a multivariable analysis. The presence of PPIC-positive CTCs was significantly associated with a high CCES, highlighting that the interplay between the systemic microenvironment and CTCs should be considered in "liquid biopsy" biomarker assessment.

PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on TILs in peritoneal metastases compared to ovarian tumor tissues and its associations with clinical outcome.

The therapeutic potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors is currently being investigated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), but immunological effects of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis in EOC still remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was thus to compare infiltration rates of PD-1 and PD-L1 expressing tumor infiltrating leucocytes (TILs) in primary ovarian tumor tissue and metastatic intraperitoneal implants and to investigate its impact on overall survival (OS). Tumor specimens (ovarian tumor tissues and intraperitoneal metastases) of 111 patients were used to investigate the PD-1, PD-L1 and CD8 expression rates on TILs and PD-L1 expression rate of tumor cells. The percentages of CD8, PD-1, and PD-L1 expressing subpopulations of TILs differ in primary ovarian tumor tissues and metastatic intraperitoneal implants. High PD-1 among TILs in peritoneal metastases were associated with favorable OS. High PD-L1 expression in TILs was associated with poor OS. Combining both factors in peritoneal metastases revealed an unfavorable prognosis. Primary ovarian tumor tissue and intraperitoneal metastatic tissues in EOC might have different strategies to evade immune control. Those findings are of importance for the process of biomarker assessment to predict patients' response to immunotherapy.

Risk Reclassification of Patients with Endometrial Cancer Based on Tumor Molecular Profiling: First Real World Data.

Recently, guidelines for endometrial cancer (EC) were released that guide treatment decisions according to the tumors' molecular profiles. To date, no real-world data regarding the clinical feasibility of molecular profiling have been released. This retrospective, monocentric study investigated the clinical feasibility of molecular profiling and its potential impact on treatment decisions. Tumor specimens underwent molecular profiling (testing for genetic alterations, (immune-)histological examination of lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and L1CAM) as part of the clinical routine and were classified according to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) classification system and to an integrated molecular risk stratification. Shifts between risk groups and potential treatment alterations are described. A total of 60 cases were included, of which twelve were excluded (20%), and eight of the remaining 48 were not characterized (drop-out rate of 16.7%). Molecular profiling revealed 4, 6, 25, and 5 patients with DNA polymerase-epsilon mutation, microsatellite instability, no specific molecular profile, and TP53 mutation, respectively. Three patients had substantial LVSI, and four patients showed high L1CAM expression. Molecular profiling took a median of 18.5 days. Substantial shifts occurred between the classification systems: four patients were upstaged, and 19 patients were downstaged. Molecular profiling of EC specimens is feasible in a daily routine, and new risk classification systems will change treatment decisions substantially.

Targeted Therapy Recommendations for Therapy Refractory Solid Tumors-Data from the Real-World Precision Medicine Platform MONDTI.

Advanced therapy-refractory solid tumors bear a dismal prognosis and constitute a major challenge in offering effective treatment strategies. In this real-world retrospective analysis of our precision medicine platform MONDTI, we describe the molecular profile of 554 patients diagnosed with 17 different types of advanced solid tumors after failure of all standard treatment options. In 304 cases (54.9% of all patients), a molecular-driven targeted therapy approach could be recommended, with a recommendation rate above 50% in 12 tumor entities. The three highest rates for therapy recommendation per tumor classification were observed in urologic malignancies (90.0%), mesothelioma (78.6%), and male reproductive cancers (71.4%). Tumor type (p = 0.46), expression of p-mTOR (p = 0.011), expression of EGFR (p = 0.046), and expression of PD-L1 (p = 0.023) had a significant impact on the targeted therapy recommendation rate. Therapy recommendations were significantly more often issued for men (p = 0.015) due to gender-specific differences in the molecular profiles of patients with head and neck cancer and malignant mesothelioma. This analysis demonstrates that precision medicine was feasible and provided the basis for molecular-driven therapy recommendations in patients with advanced therapy refractory solid tumors.

Definition and Independent Validation of a Proteomic-Classifier in Ovarian Cancer.

Mass-spectrometry-based analyses have identified a variety of candidate protein biomarkers that might be crucial for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) development and therapy response. Comprehensive validation studies of the biological and clinical implications of proteomics are needed to advance them toward clinical use. Using the Deep MALDI method of mass spectrometry, we developed and independently validated (development cohort: n = 199, validation cohort: n = 135) a blood-based proteomic classifier, stratifying EOC patients into good and poor survival groups. We also determined an age dependency of the prognostic performance of this classifier, and our protein set enrichment analysis showed that the good and poor proteomic phenotypes were associated with, respectively, lower and higher levels of complement activation, inflammatory response, and acute phase reactants. This work highlights that, just like molecular markers of the tumor itself, the systemic condition of a patient (partly reflected in proteomic patterns) also influences survival and therapy response in a subset of ovarian cancer patients and could therefore be integrated into future processes of therapy planning.

A Global Gene Body Methylation Measure Correlates Independently with Overall Survival in Solid Cancer Types.

Epigenetics, CpG methylation of CpG islands (CGI) and gene bodies (GBs), plays an important role in gene regulation and cancer biology, the former established as a transcription regulator. Genome wide CpG methylation, summarized over GBs and CGIs, was analyzed for impact on overall survival (OS) in cancer. The averaged GB and CGI methylation status of each gene was categorized into methylated and unmethylated (defined) or undefined. Differentially methylated GBs and genes associated with their GB methylation status were compared to the corresponding CGI methylation states and biologically annotated. No relevant correlations of GB and CGI methylation or GB methylation and gene expression were observed. Summarized GB methylation showed impact on OS in ovarian, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma, but not in lung cancer. In ovarian, breast, and colorectal cancer more defined GBs correlated with unfavorable OS, in pancreatic cancer with favorable OS and in glioblastoma more methylated GBs correlated with unfavorable OS. The GB methylation of genes were similar over different samples and even over cancer types; nevertheless, the clustering of different cancers was possible. Gene expression differences associated with summarized GB methylation were cancer specific. A genome-wide dysregulation of gene-body methylation showed impact on the outcome in different cancers.

Molecular Guided Treatments in Gynecologic Oncology: Analysis of a Real-World Precision Cancer Medicine Platform.

INTRODUCTION: Advanced gynecologic cancers have a poor prognosis and constitute a major challenge for adequate treatment strategies. By analyzing and targeting molecular alterations, molecular guided treatments may be a viable option for the treatment of advanced gynecologic cancers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this single-center, real-world retrospective analysis of our platform for precision cancer medicine (PCM), we describe the molecular profiling of 72 patients diagnosed with different types of advanced gynecologic malignancies. Tumor samples of the patients were examined by next-generation sequencing panel and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: In total, we identified 209 genetic aberrations in 72 patients. The ten most frequent alterations were TP53 (n = 42, 20%), KRAS (n = 14, 6.6%), PIK3CA (n = 11, 5.2%), PIK3R1 (n = 9, 4.3%), ATR (n = 8, 3.8%), PTEN (n = 8, 3.8%), BRCA1 (n = 6, 2.8%), NF1 (n = 4, 1.9%), NOTCH1 (n = 4, 1.9%), and POLE (n = 4, 1.9%), which account for more than half of all molecular alterations (52.6%). In 21 (29.1%) patients only one mutation could be detected, and 44 (61.1%) patients had more than one mutation. No molecular alterations were detected in seven (9.7%) patients. IHC detected expression of phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin and epidermal growth factor receptor in 58 (80.6%) and 53 (73.6%) patients, respectively. In over two thirds (n = 49, 68.1%), a targeted therapy was suggested, based on the identified genetic aberrations. The most frequently recommended specific treatment was the combination of everolimus with exemestane (n = 18, 25 %). CONCLUSION: Based on our observations, it seems that PCM might be a feasible approach for advanced gynecologic cancers with limited treatment options. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nowadays molecular profiling of advanced gynecologic malignancies is feasible in the clinical routine. A molecular portrait should be done for every patient with an advanced therapy-refractory gynecologic malignancy to offer molecular-based treatment concepts.

Precision Medicine Tumor Boards: Clinical Applicability of Personalized Treatment Concepts in Ovarian Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Treating cancer according to its molecular alterations (i.e., targeted treatment, TT) is the goal of precision medicine tumor boards (PTBs). Their clinical applicability has been evaluated for ovarian cancer patients in this analysis. METHODS: All consecutive ovarian cancer patients discussed in a PTB at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, from April 2015 to April 2019 were included (n = 44). RESULTS: In 38/44 (86%) cases, at least one mutation, deletion or amplification was detected. The most frequently altered genes were p53 (64%), PI3K pathway (18%), KRAS (14%), BRCA1 (11%) and BRCA2 (2%). In 31 patients (70%) a TT was recommended. A total of 12/31 patients (39%) received the recommended therapy. Median time from indication for PTB to TT start was 65 days (15-216). Median time to treatment failure was 2.7 months (0.2-13.2). Clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 42%. Reasons for treatment discontinuation were disease progression (42%), poor performance status (PS > 2; 25%), death (17%) or treatment related side effects (8%). In 61% the TT was not administered-mainly due to PS > 2. CONCLUSION: Even though a TT recommendation can be derived frequently, clinical applicability remains limited due to poor patients' general condition after exploitation of standard treatment. However, we observed antitumor activity in a substantial number of heavily pretreated patients.

Detailed overview on rare malignant ovarian tumors.

The group of rare malignant ovarian tumors includes the group of germ cell tumors, sex cords stromal ovarian tumors, small cell carcinoma, malignant Brenner tumors, rare epithelial tumors such as mucinous carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, or low-grade serous carcinoma, as well as ovarian carcinosarcoma. Together they comprise about 10% of all ovarian tumors. Due to their low prevalence and their heterogeneity, data and treatment recommendations are limited. Even though all ovarian tumors are staged according to the FIGO staging of epithelial ovarian tumors, treatment differs especially in germ cell tumors and sex cords stromal ovarian tumors. Non-epithelial ovarian tumors can arise from a variety of ovarian precursor cells such as germ cells, granulosa cells, theca cells, or stromal fibroblasts. As can be expected already due to their divergent precursor lesions, these malignancies are substantially different but united by their rarity. This overview article gives a comprehensive summary on the pathology and clinical presentation, as well as therapy recommendations of a selection of those rare ovarian tumors, based on the latest national guidelines and related important publications.

Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation Correlates with Favorable Overall Survival in High Grade Ovarian Cancer.

It is still a question of debate whether neutrophils, often found in the tumor microenvironment, mediate tumor-promoting or rather tumor-inhibiting activities. The present study focuses on the involvement of neutrophils in high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Macroscopic features classify two types of peritoneal tumor spread in HGSOC. Widespread and millet sized lesions characterize the miliary type, while non-miliary metastases are larger and associated with better prognosis. Multi-omics and FACS data were generated from ascites samples. Integrated data analysis demonstrates a significant increase of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET)-associated molecules in non-miliary ascites samples. A co-association network analysis performed with the ascites data further revealed a striking correlation between NETosis-associated metabolites and several eicosanoids. The congruence of data generated from primary neutrophils with ascites analyses indicates the predominance of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX)-independent NETosis. NETosis is associated with protein S100A8/A9 release. An increase of the S100A8/CRP abundance ratio was found to correlate with favorable survival of HGSOC patients. The analysis of additional five independent proteome studies with regard to S100A8/CRP ratios confirmed this observation. In conclusion, NET formation seems to relate with better cancer patient outcome.

Gamma-glutamyltransferase as a preoperative differential diagnostic marker in patients with adnexal mass.

OBJECTIVE: Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is involved in tumor development, progression and chemotherapy resistance. The present study evaluated GGT serum levels as a preoperative predictive marker for ovarian cancer in patients with adnexal mass. STUDY DESIGN: Preoperative GGT serum levels of 2235 patients with adnexal mass and subsequent surgery were ascertained (patients with benign ovarian tumors: n = 1811; borderline tumor of the ovary [BTO]: n = 85; epithelial ovarian cancer [EOC]: n = 339). Standardized expert transvaginal ultrasound was documented. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range) GGT serum levels in patients with benign ovarian tumors, BTO, and EOC were 15.0 U/l (11.0-23.0), 17.0 U/l (10.0-23.5), and 20.0 U/l (13.0-34.0), respectively (p = 0.002). Elevated GGT serum levels were associated with the presence of BTO/EOC in univariate analysis (p < 0.0001, hazard ratio 1.8, confidence interval 1.5-2.3). GGT did not outperform established tools for preoperative prediction of BTO/EOC in patients with adnexal mass, such as CA-125 measurement or transvaginal ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Elevated GGT serum levels were not associated with the presence of BTO/EOC in women with suspicious adnexal mass in multivariate analysis. GGT serum levels did not outperform established risk factors and therefore might add only limited additional value to CA-125 serum levels in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant adnexal masses.

NECTIN4 (PVRL4) as Putative Therapeutic Target for a Specific Subtype of High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer-An Integrative Multi-Omics Approach.

In high grade serous ovarian cancer patients with peritoneal involvement and unfavorable outcome would benefit from targeted therapies. The aim of this study was to find a druggable target against peritoneal metastasis. We constructed a planar-scale free small world-co-association gene expression network and searched for clusters with hub-genes associated to peritoneal spread. Protein expression and impact was validated via immunohistochemistry and correlations of deregulated pathways with comprehensive omics data were used for biological interpretation. A cluster up-regulated in miliary tumors with NECTIN4 as hub-gene was identified and impact on survival validated. High Nectin 4 protein expression was associated with unfavorable survival and (i) reduced expression of HLA genes (mainly MHC I); (ii) with reduced expression of genes from chromosome 22q11/12; (iii) higher BCAM in ascites and in a high-scoring expression cluster; (iv) higher Kallikrein gene and protein expressions; and (v) substantial immunologic differences; locally and systemically; e.g., reduced CD14 positive cells and reduction of different natural killer cell populations. Each three cell lines with high (miliary) or low NECTIN4 expression (non-miliary) were identified. An anti-Nectin 4 antibody with a linked antineoplastic drug-already under clinical investigation-could be a candidate for a targeted therapy in patients with extensive peritoneal involvement.

The value of pretreatment serum butyrylcholinesterase level as a novel prognostic biomarker in patients with cervical cancer treated with primary (chemo-)radiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: Deficiency in butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), a condition commonly noticed in liver damage, inflammation, and malnutrition, has previously been associated with impaired prognosis in different malignancies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the value of pretreatment serum BChE levels as a prognostic biomarker in patients with cervical cancer treated with primary (chemotherapy-[chemo-])radiation therapy. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated data of a consecutive series of patients with cervical cancer treated with primary (chemo-)radiation therapy between 1998 and 2015. Pretreatment serum BChE levels were correlated with clinico-pathological parameters and response to treatment. Uni- and multivariate survival analyses were performed to assess the association between decreased serum BChE levels and progression-free (PFS), cancer-specific (CSS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: A total of 356 patients were eligible for inclusion into the present study. The median (IQR) pretreatment serum BChE level was 6180 (4990-7710) IU/l. Lower serum BChE levels were associated with lower BMI (p < 0.001), advanced tumor stage (p = 0.04), poor treatment response (p = 0.002), the occurrence of disease recurrence (p = 0.003), and the risk of death (p < 0.001). In uni- and multivariate analyses, low pretreatment serum BChE levels were independently associated with shorter PFS (HR 1.8 [1.2-2.6]; p = 0.002), CSS (HR 2.2 [1.4-3.5], p < 0.001), and OS (HR 2.0 [1.4-2.9]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Low pretreatment serum BChE levels are associated with advanced tumor stage and poor response to treatment, and serve as an independent prognostic biomarker for shorter PFS, CSS, and OS in patients with cervical cancer treated with primary (chemo-)radiation therapy.

Factors associated with post-relapse survival in patients with recurrent cervical cancer: the value of the inflammation-based Glasgow Prognostic Score.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the value of the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) as a prognostic tool for predicting post-relapse survival (PRS) in patients with recurrent cervical cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 116 patients with recurrent cervical cancer in whom serologic biomarkers had been assessed at the time of relapse. The GPS was calculated as follows: patients with elevated serum C-reactive protein levels and hypoalbuminemia were allocated a score of 2, and those with 1 or no abnormal value were allocated a score of 1 and 0, respectively. To assess the association between factors including the GPS and PRS, we performed uni- and multivariate survival analyzes. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 20.9 months from recurrence, a 5-year PRS rate of 25% (SE 4.7%) was observed. Only in 29.8% of the patients, recurrence was limited to the pelvis. In uni- and multivariate survival analyzes, the GPS [HR 1.6 (95% CI 0.9-2.4), p = 0.01], a history of radiation therapy as part of initial treatment [HR 2.7 (95% CI 1.1-6.9), p = 0.03], and the presence of peritoneal carcinomatosis or multiple sites of relapse [HR 4.2 (95% CI 1.9-9.3), p < 0.001] were associated with shorter PRS. The GPS correlated with higher squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels (p = 0.001), shorter median PRS (p = 0.009), and less intensive treatment for relapse (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: A higher GPS at the time of relapse, a history of radiation therapy, and the presence of peritoneal carcinomatosis or multiple sites of relapse are independently associated with shorter PRS in patients with recurrent cervical cancer.

Preoperative C-reactive protein serum levels as a predictive diagnostic marker in patients with adnexal masses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels as a preoperative predictive marker for ovarian cancer in patients with adnexal masses. METHODS: CRP serum levels of 1843 adnexal masses and subsequent surgery were investigated (patients with benign ovarian tumors: n=1423; borderline tumor of the ovary [BTO]: n=83; EOC: n=337). Test characteristics and predictive values of CRP serum levels were investigated by univariate analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression models. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range) serum CRP levels in patients with benign ovarian tumors, BTO, and EOC were 0.4 (0.1-0.6)mg/dL, 0.5 (0.2-0.9)mg/dL, and 1.6 (0.5-5.4)mg/dL, respectively (p<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of the combination of CRP and CA-125 was 80.1% and 90.8%, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) was 92.2% and 76.9%, respectively. In univariate and multivariate analysis, CRP serum levels were independently associated with presence of BTO and EOC (HR 6.7 [5.2-8.5], p<0.001 and HR 2.2 [1.4-3.3], p<0.001). The combination of CRP and CA-125 serum levels resulted in a number needed to treat of 2.11 to detect one case of EOC or BTO. CONCLUSION: CRP serum levels independently predicted the presence of BTO and EOC in patients with suspicious adnexal masses. CRP serum levels seem to be of additional value to CA-125 in the preoperative differential diagnosis of adnexal masses and might be particularly in combination with CA-125 clinically useful.