ESGO-ESMO-ESP consensus conference recommendations on ovarian cancer: pathology and molecular biology and early, advanced and recurrent disease.

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Society of Pathology held a consensus conference (CC) on ovarian cancer on 15-16 June 2022 in Valencia, Spain. The CC panel included 44 experts in the management of ovarian cancer and pathology, an ESMO scientific advisor and a methodologist. The aim was to discuss new or contentious topics and develop recommendations to improve and harmonise the management of patients with ovarian cancer. Eighteen questions were identified for discussion under four main topics: (i) pathology and molecular biology, (ii) early-stage disease and pelvic mass in pregnancy, (iii) advanced stage (including older/frail patients) and (iv) recurrent disease. The panel was divided into four working groups (WGs) to each address questions relating to one of the four topics outlined above, based on their expertise. Relevant scientific literature was reviewed in advance. Recommendations were developed by the WGs and then presented to the entire panel for further discussion and amendment before voting. This manuscript focuses on the recommendation statements that reached a consensus, their voting results and a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation.

Maintenance olaparib rechallenge in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer previously treated with a PARP inhibitor (OReO/ENGOT-ov38): a phase IIIb trial.

BACKGROUND: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor maintenance therapy is the standard of care for some patients with advanced ovarian cancer. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of PARP inhibitor rechallenge. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial (NCT03106987) enrolled patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer who had received one prior PARP inhibitor therapy for ≥18 and ≥12 months in the BRCA-mutated and non-BRCA-mutated cohorts, respectively, following first-line chemotherapy or for ≥12 and ≥6 months, respectively, following a second or subsequent line of chemotherapy. Patients were in response following their last platinum-based chemotherapy regimen and were randomized 2 : 1 to maintenance olaparib tablets 300 mg twice daily or placebo. Investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: Seventy four patients in the BRCA-mutated cohort were randomized to olaparib and 38 to placebo, and 72 patients in the non-BRCA-mutated cohort were randomized to olaparib and 36 to placebo; >85% of patients in both cohorts had received ≥3 prior lines of chemotherapy. In the BRCA-mutated cohort, the median PFS was 4.3 months with olaparib versus 2.8 months with placebo [hazard ratio (HR) 0.57; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-0.87; P = 0.022]; 1-year PFS rates were 19% versus 0% (Kaplan-Meier estimates). In the non-BRCA-mutated cohort, median PFS was 5.3 months for olaparib versus 2.8 months for placebo (HR 0.43; 95% CI 0.26-0.71; P = 0.0023); 1-year PFS rates were 14% versus 0% (Kaplan-Meier estimates). No new safety signals were identified with olaparib rechallenge. CONCLUSIONS: In ovarian cancer patients previously treated with one prior PARP inhibitor and at least two lines of platinum-based chemotherapy, maintenance olaparib rechallenge provided a statistically significant, albeit modest, PFS improvement over placebo in both the BRCA-mutated and non-BRCA-mutated cohorts, with a proportion of patients in the maintenance olaparib rechallenge arm of both cohorts remaining progression free at 1 year.

Olaparib maintenance monotherapy in platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer patients without a germline BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation: OPINION primary analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The phase IIIb OPINION trial (NCT03402841) investigated olaparib maintenance monotherapy in patients without a deleterious or suspected deleterious germline BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation (gBRCAm) who had platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (PSROC) and had received ≥2 previous lines of platinum-based chemotherapy. METHODS: In this single-arm, open-label, international study, patients who had responded to platinum-based chemotherapy received maintenance olaparib tablets (300 mg twice daily) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed progression-free survival (PFS) (modified RECIST version 1.1). A key secondary endpoint was PFS by homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) and somatic BRCAm (sBRCAm) status. The primary analysis of PFS was planned for 18 months after the last patient received their first dose. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-nine patients were enrolled and received olaparib. At data cutoff (October 2, 2020), 210 PFS events had occurred (75.3% maturity) and median PFS was 9.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6-10.9) in the overall population. At 12 and 18 months, 38.5% and 24.3% of patients were progression-free, respectively. In the predefined biomarker subgroups, median PFS was 16.4, 11.1, 9.7, and 7.3 months in sBRCAm, HRD-positive including sBRCAm, HRD-positive excluding sBRCAm, and HRD-negative patients, respectively. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were nausea (48.4%) and fatigue/asthenia (44.1%). TEAEs led to dose interruption, dose reduction, and treatment discontinuation in 47.0%, 22.6%, and 7.5% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Maintenance olaparib demonstrated clinical benefit in patients without a gBRCAm, and across all subgroups, compared with historical placebo controls. There were no new safety signals.

Phase III, randomized trial of mirvetuximab soravtansine versus chemotherapy in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer: primary analysis of FORWARD I.

BACKGROUND: Mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV) is an antibody-drug conjugate comprising a folate receptor alpha (FRα)-binding antibody, cleavable linker, and the maytansinoid DM4, a potent tubulin-targeting agent. The randomized, open-label, phase III study FORWARD I compared MIRV and investigator's choice chemotherapy in patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients with 1-3 prior lines of therapy and whose tumors were positive for FRα expression were randomly assigned, in a 2 : 1 ratio, to receive MIRV (6 mg/kg, adjusted ideal body weight) or chemotherapy (paclitaxel, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, or topotecan). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival [PFS, Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, blinded independent central review] in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population and in the prespecified FRα high population. RESULTS: A total of 366 patients were randomized; 243 received MIRV and 109 received chemotherapy. The primary endpoint, PFS, did not reach statistical significance in either the ITT [hazard ratio (HR), 0.98, P = 0.897] or the FRα high population (HR, 0.69, P = 0.049). Superior outcomes for MIRV over chemotherapy were observed in all secondary endpoints in the FRα high population including improved objective response rate (24% versus 10%), CA-125 responses (53% versus 25%), and patient-reported outcomes (27% versus 13%). Fewer treatment-related grade 3 or higher adverse events (25.1% versus 44.0%), and fewer events leading to dose reduction (19.8% versus 30.3%) and treatment discontinuation (4.5% versus 8.3%) were seen with MIRV compared with chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with platinum-resistant EOC, MIRV did not result in a significant improvement in PFS compared with chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints consistently favored MIRV, particularly in patients with high FRα expression. MIRV showed a differentiated and more manageable safety profile than chemotherapy.

A decade of clinical development of PARP inhibitors in perspective.

Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer, and often is the result of altered DNA repair capacities in tumour cells. DNA damage repair defects are common in different cancer types; these alterations can also induce tumour-specific vulnerabilities that can be exploited therapeutically. In 2009, a first-in-man clinical trial of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor olaparib clinically validated the synthetic lethal interaction between inhibition of PARP1, a key sensor of DNA damage, and BRCA1/BRCA2 deficiency. In this review, we summarize a decade of PARP inhibitor clinical development, a work that has resulted in the registration of several PARP inhibitors in breast (olaparib and talazoparib) and ovarian cancer (olaparib, niraparib and rucaparib, either alone or following platinum chemotherapy as maintenance therapy). Over the past 10 years, our knowledge on the mechanism of action of PARP inhibitor as well as how tumours become resistant has been extended, and we summarise this work here. We also discuss opportunities for expanding the precision medicine approach with PARP inhibitors, identifying a wider population who could benefit from this drug class. This includes developing and validating better predictive biomarkers for patient stratification, mainly based on homologous recombination defects beyond BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, identifying DNA repair deficient tumours in other cancer types such as prostate or pancreatic cancer, or by designing combination therapies with PARP inhibitors.

Antitumor activity and safety of pembrolizumab in patients with advanced recurrent ovarian cancer: results from the phase II KEYNOTE-100 study.

BACKGROUND: Advanced recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) is the leading cause of gynecologic cancer-related death in developed countries and new treatments are needed. Previous studies of immune checkpoint blockade showed low objective response rates (ORR) in ROC with no identified predictive biomarker. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This phase II study of pembrolizumab (NCT02674061) examined two patient cohorts with ROC: cohort A received one to three prior lines of treatment with a platinum-free interval (PFI) or treatment-free interval (TFI) between 3 and 12 months and cohort B received four to six prior lines with a PFI/TFI of ≥3 months. Pembrolizumab 200 mg was administered intravenously every 3 weeks until cancer progression, toxicity, or completion of 2 years. Primary end points were ORR by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 per blinded independent central review by cohort and by PD-L1 expression measured as combined positive score (CPS). Secondary end points included duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS: Cohort A enrolled 285 patients; the first 100 served as the training set for PD-L1 biomarker analysis. Cohort B enrolled 91 patients. ORR was 7.4% for cohort A and 9.9% for cohort B. Median DOR was 8.2 months for cohort A and not reached for cohort B. DCR was 37.2% and 37.4%, respectively, in cohorts A and B. Based on the training set analysis, CPS 1 and 10 were selected for evaluation in the confirmation set. In the confirmation set, ORR was 4.1% for CPS <1, 5.7% CPS ≥1, and 10.0% for CPS ≥10. PFS was 2.1 months for both cohorts. Median OS was not reached for cohort A and was 17.6 months for cohort B. Toxicities were consistent with other single-agent pembrolizumab trials. CONCLUSIONS: Single-agent pembrolizumab showed modest activity in patients with ROC. Higher PD-L1 expression was correlated with higher response. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02674061.

Chemotherapy and PARP inhibitors in heavily pretreated BRCA1/2 mutation ovarian cancer (BMOC) patients.

OBJECTIVES: The hallmarks of germline(g) and/or somatic(s) BRCA1/2 mutation ovarian cancer (BMOC) patients are increased sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy (PCT) and PARP inhibitors (PARPi). There is little information on the effectiveness of chemotherapy in heavily pretreated (≥3 CT lines) g/sBMOC patients. METHODS: g/sBMOC patients who received CT from 2006 to 2016 at 4 cancer centers in Spain were selected. Overall survival (OS) and time to progression (TTP) were calculated with Kaplan Meier and Cox models. RESULTS: 135 g/sBMOC patients were identified (6% sBRCA1/2 mutations). The median number of chemotherapy lines was 2 (1-7). The 6-years OS rate was 69.4% and 71% in BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers (p = 0.98). A total of 57 (42%) patients had ≥3 CT lines (3-7), which encompassed a total of 155 treatments. The median overall TTP across all treatment lines beyond 2nd line was 10.2 months (CI 95% 8.4-11.9 months). In the platinum-sensitive setting, TTP was improved with PCT plus PARPi (17.1 m), PCT (12.6 m) or PARPi (12.4 m) versus non-PCT (4.9 m; p < 0.001 all comparisons). In the platinum-resistant setting, these differences in TTP were not statistically significant. A multivariate model confirmed that primary platinum-free interval (PFI) > 12 months and exposure to PCT and PARPi associated with improved outcomes. PARPi exposure did not compromise benefit of subsequent CT beyond 2nd relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Heavily pretreated g/sBMOC demonstrated CT sensitivity, including for non-PCT choices. Primary platinum-free interval (PFI) >12 months and exposure to both platinum-based chemotherapy and PARPi associate with improved prognosis in heavily pretreated g/sBMOC patients.

RAD51 foci as a functional biomarker of homologous recombination repair and PARP inhibitor resistance in germline BRCA-mutated breast cancer.

Background: BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2)-deficient tumors display impaired homologous recombination repair (HRR) and enhanced sensitivity to DNA damaging agents or to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors (PARPi). Their efficacy in germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA1/2)-mutated metastatic breast cancers has been recently confirmed in clinical trials. Numerous mechanisms of PARPi resistance have been described, whose clinical relevance in gBRCA-mutated breast cancer is unknown. This highlights the need to identify functional biomarkers to better predict PARPi sensitivity. Patients and methods: We investigated the in vivo mechanisms of PARPi resistance in gBRCA1 patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDXs) exhibiting differential response to PARPi. Analysis included exome sequencing and immunostaining of DNA damage response proteins to functionally evaluate HRR. Findings were validated in a retrospective sample set from gBRCA1/2-cancer patients treated with PARPi. Results: RAD51 nuclear foci, a surrogate marker of HRR functionality, were the only common feature in PDX and patient samples with primary or acquired PARPi resistance. Consistently, low RAD51 was associated with objective response to PARPi. Evaluation of the RAD51 biomarker in untreated tumors was feasible due to endogenous DNA damage. In PARPi-resistant gBRCA1 PDXs, genetic analysis found no in-frame secondary mutations, but BRCA1 hypomorphic proteins in 60% of the models, TP53BP1-loss in 20% and RAD51-amplification in one sample, none mutually exclusive. Conversely, one of three PARPi-resistant gBRCA2 tumors displayed BRCA2 restoration by exome sequencing. In PDXs, PARPi resistance could be reverted upon combination of a PARPi with an ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) inhibitor. Conclusion: Detection of RAD51 foci in gBRCA tumors correlates with PARPi resistance regardless of the underlying mechanism restoring HRR function. This is a promising biomarker to be used in the clinic to better select patients for PARPi therapy. Our study also supports the clinical development of PARPi combinations such as those with ATM inhibitors.

Health-related quality of life in women with recurrent ovarian cancer receiving paclitaxel plus trebananib or placebo (TRINOVA-1).

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the influence of treatment on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 919 women with recurrent ovarian cancer enrolled in the TRINOVA-1 study, a randomized, placebo-controlled phase III study that demonstrated that trebananib 15 mg/kg QW plus weekly paclitaxel significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with placebo plus weekly paclitaxel (7.2 versus 5.4 months; hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% confidence interval 0.57-0.77; P < 0.001). PATIENTS AND METHODS: HRQoL was assessed with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Ovary [FACT-O; comprising FACT-G and the ovarian cancer-specific subscale (OCS)] and EuroQOL EQ-5D instruments before treatment on day 1 of weeks 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, and every 8 weeks thereafter and at the safety follow-up visit. A pattern-mixture model was used to evaluate the influence of patient dropout on FACT-O and OCS scores over time. RESULTS: Of 919 randomized patients, 834 (91%) had a baseline and ≥1 post-baseline HRQoL assessment. At baseline, scores for all instruments were similar for both arms. At 25 weeks, mean ± SD changes from baseline were negligible, with mean ± SD changes typically <1 unit from baseline: -2.4 ± 16.6 in the trebananib arm and -1.6 ± 15.2 in the placebo arm for FACT-O, -0.71 ± 5.5 in the trebananib arm and -0.86 ± 4.9 in the placebo arm for OCS, and -0.02 ± 0.22 in the trebananib arm and 0.02 ± 0.19 in the placebo arm for EQ-5D. Distribution of scores was similar between treatment arms at baseline and over the course of the study. In pattern-mixture models, there was no evidence that patient dropout affected differences in mean FACT-O or OCS scores. Edema had limited effect on either FACT-O or OCS scores in patients with grade ≥2 edema or those with grade 1 or no edema. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that the improvement in PFS among patients in the trebananib arm in the TRINOVA-1 study was achieved without compromising HRQoL. CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT01204749.

Pan-Asian adapted ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with endometrial cancer.

The most recent version of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with endometrial cancer was published in 2022. It was therefore decided, by both the ESMO and the Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology (ISMPO), to convene a virtual meeting in July 2022 to adapt the ESMO 2022 guidelines to take into account the variations in the management of endometrial cancer in Asia. These guidelines represent the consensus opinion of a panel of Asian experts representing the oncological societies of China (CSCO), India (ISMPO), Indonesia (ISHMO), Japan (JSMO), Korea (KSMO), Malaysia (MOS), the Philippines (PSMO), Singapore (SSO), Taiwan (TOS) and Thailand (TSCO). Voting was based on scientific evidence and was conducted independently of the current treatment practices and treatment access constraints in the different Asian countries, which were discussed when appropriate. The aim of this guideline manuscript is to provide guidance for the optimisation and harmonisation of the management of patients with endometrial cancer across the different regions of Asia, drawing on the evidence provided by Western and Asian trials whilst respecting the variations in clinical presentation, diagnostic practices including molecular profiling and disparities in access to therapeutic options, including drug approvals and reimbursement strategies.

Phase I dose-escalating study of ES-285 given as a three-hour intravenous infusion every three weeks in patients with advanced malignant solid tumors.

BACKGROUND: ES-285 (spisulosine) is a novel compound derived from the marine mollusk Spisula polynoma with evidence of preclinical antitumor activity. This phase I clinical trial was designed to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and the recommended dose for phase II trials (RD), as well as to evaluate the safety profile, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy data of ES-285 in patients with advanced solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients at two medical institutions were treated with a 3-h ES-285 intravenous infusion every 3 weeks. Nine dose levels were evaluated. RESULTS: No dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were observed during dose escalation from 4 to 128 mg/m(2). Six patients had seven DLTs at the three highest dose levels tested: 256 mg/m(2) (n = 2), 200 mg/m(2) (n = 3) and 160 mg/m(2) (n = 1). Grade 3/4 transaminase increases (n = 3), grade 3/4 central nervous system disorders [confusion (n = 2) and ataxia (n = 1)], and grade 3 pyrexia (n = 1) were the dose-limiting toxicities found with this ES-285 administration schedule. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed ES-285 dose linearity, wide distribution and a long half-life. One non-confirmed partial response was observed in a patient with metastatic melanoma treated with ES-285 128 mg/m(2), and 18 patients showed stable disease at different dose levels, lasting longer than 3 months in six patients. CONCLUSION: Dose level VIII (200 mg/m(2)) was considered the MTD, and dose level IX (160 mg/m(2)) was defined as the RD. Limited antitumor activity was observed.

Olaparib in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer regardless of BRCA status: a GEICO phase II trial (ROLANDO study).

BACKGROUND: There is limited evidence for the benefit of olaparib in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) patients with BRCA wild-type tumors. This study investigated whether this combination of a DNA-damaging chemotherapy plus olaparib is effective in PROC regardless BRCA status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian carcinoma and one previous PROC recurrence were enrolled regardless of BRCA status. Patients with ≤4 previous lines (up to 5 in BRCA-mut) with at least one previous platinum-sensitive relapse were included; primary PROC was allowed only in case of BRCA-mut. Patients initially received six cycles of olaparib 300 mg b.i.d. (biduum) + intravenous pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) 40 mg/m2 (PLD40) every 28 days, followed by maintenance with olaparib 300 mg b.i.d. until progression or toxicity. The PLD dose was reduced to 30 mg/m2 (PLD30) due to toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) at 6 months (6m-PFS) by RECIST version 1.1. A proportion of 40% 6m-PFS or more was considered of clinical interest. RESULTS: From 2017 to 2020, 31 PROC patients were included. BRCA mutations were present in 16%. The median of previous lines was 2 (range 1-5). The overall disease control rate was 77% (partial response rate of 29% and stable disease rate of 48%). After a median follow-up of 10 months, the 6m-PFS and median PFS were 47% and 5.8 months, respectively. Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 74% of patients, with neutropenia/anemia being the most frequent. With PLD30 serious AEs were less frequent than with PLD40 (21% versus 47%, respectively); moreover, PLD30 was associated with less PLD delays (32% versus 38%) and reductions (16% versus 22%). CONCLUSIONS: The PLD-olaparib combination has shown significant activity in PROC regardless of BRCA status. PLD at 30 mg/m2 is better tolerated in the combination.

Muscle metastasis of low-grade endometrial carcinoma seven years after diagnosis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Early-stage low-grade endometrial carcinoma has an excellent prognosis. In few cases local relapse and/or distant metastases can occur. We report the muscle as an unusual site of metastasis. CASE: A 69-year-old woman underwent surgery for FIGO Stage IA, grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. After four years she had local relapse without response to chemoradiation, requiring pelvic exanteration. Three years later she was diagnosed with a deltoid muscle metastasis confirmed histologically and bone metastases. After failing hormone therapy, chemotherapy was administered. She died eight months after diagnosis of the bone and muscle metastases. CONCLUSION: Low-risk endometrial carcinoma can behave like a high-risk group. Furthermore, this report describes, to our knowledge, the first case of endometrial carcinoma muscle metastasis.

SEOM clinical guidelines for cervical cancer (2019).

Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, strongly linked to high-risk human papilloma virus infection. In high-income countries, the screening programs have dramatically decreased the incidence of CC; however, the lack of accessibility to them in developing countries makes CC an important cause of mortality. Clinical stage is the most relevant prognostic factor in CC. The new FIGO staging system published in 2018 is more accurate than the previous one since it takes into account the lymph node status. In early stages, the primary treatment is surgery-with some concerns recently raised regarding minimally invasive surgery because it might decrease survival-or radiotherapy, whereas concomitant chemo-radiotherapy is the conventional approach in locally advanced stages. For recurrent or metastatic CC, the combination of chemotherapy plus bevacizumab is the preferred therapy. Immunotherapy approach based on checkpoint inhibitors is evolving as the election therapy following failure to platinum therapy.

Recommendations for biomarker testing in epithelial ovarian cancer: a National Consensus Statement by the Spanish Society of Pathology and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology.

Because of advances in the understanding of histological and molecular characteristics in ovarian cancer, it is now possible to recognize the existence of five subtypes, which in turn has allowed a more refined therapeutic approach and better design of clinical trials. Each of these five subtypes has specific histological features and a particular biomarker expression, as well as mutations in different genes, some of which have prognostic and predictive value. CA125 and HE4 are examples of ovarian cancer biomarkers used in the diagnosis and follow-up of these malignancies. Currently, somatic or germinal mutations on BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most important biomarkers in epithelial ovarian cancer having prognostic and predictive value. This article will review the histological and molecular characteristics of the five subtypes of ovarian cancer, describing the most important biomarkers and mutations that can guide in diagnosis, screening and tailored treatment strategy.

Update in the management of ovarian and cervical carcinoma.

Ovarian and cervical cancers are significant health problems. This article provides an update in selected management topics. Paclitaxel and platinum derivatives are the first-line treatment for patients with advanced disease. In selected patients, intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been associated with improved survival but the broad applicability of this strategy is limited by issues of toxicity and feasibility. Management of patients with recurrent disease is based on a number of factors and includes surgery in selected cases, platinum-based chemotherapy for patients with platinum-sensitive disease and other agents such as topotecan and pegylated liposomal formulation of doxorubicin for patients with platinum-resistant disease. In cervical cancer, the most significant issue/event is the demonstration of superior survival with topotecan and cisplatin compared to cisplatin alone. Finally, new agents such as epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors and antiangiogenic agents are being currently tested in these settings.