A phase II evaluation of brivanib in the treatment of persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix: An NRG Oncology/Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

BACKGROUND: Brivanib is an oral, tyrosine kinase inhibitor against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR). We studied its efficacy and tolerability in persistent or recurrent cervical cancer patients. METHODS: Eligible patients had at least one prior cytotoxic regimen for recurrence and with measurable disease. Brivanib 800mg was administered orally every day (1cycle=28days) until disease progression or prohibitive toxicity. Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) >6months and objective tumor response. RESULTS: Of 28 eligible and evaluable women enrolled, 11 (39%) had primary surgery and 25 (89%) had prior radiation. Eighteen (64%) received one prior cytotoxic treatment and 10 (36%) had 2 prior regimens. Twelve (43%) had >2cycles of brivanib with 4 (14%) receiving >10cycles (range: 1-20). Seven (25%) patients had PFS >6months (90% CI: 7.3%-33.9%). Two (7%) (90% CI: 1.3%-20.8%) patients had partial tumor response with duration of 8 and 22months and 12 (43%) had stable disease. The median PFS was 3.2months (90% CI: 2.1-4.4). The median overall survival was 7.9months (90% CI: 6.1-11.7). More common grade 3 adverse events were hypertension, anemia, hyponatremia, hyperglycemia, elevated liver enzymes, nausea, headache, and colon hemorrhage. Grade 4 adverse events included sepsis and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Based on early results of this phase II trial, brivanib was well tolerated and demonstrated sufficient activity after first stage but trial was stopped due to lack of drug availability.

Primary Adenocarcinoma of Intestinal Type Arising From a Vaginal Mass: A Case Report.

A patient with a history of a severe vaginal laceration during vaginal birth, unknown degree, presented with recurrent vaginal discharge and was found to have a vaginal mass. Pathologic analysis showed squamous mucosa transitioning into colonic type of mucosa with adenocarcinoma developed from colonic type of mucosa, reminiscent of anorectal junction.

NUT midline carcinoma presenting with bilateral ovarian metastases: a case report.

Nuclear protein of the testis (NUT) midline carcinoma (NMC) is an uncommon, relatively recently characterized carcinoma, which is defined by NUT gene rearrangements. We are reporting a case of NMC in a 38-year-old female who presented with pleural effusion and bilateral ovarian masses. We also discuss some of the difficulties encountered by the practicing pathologist in reaching the diagnosis and the role of ancillary studies. Immunohistochemical staining using a commercially available monoclonal antibody showing nuclear expression of the NUT protein is diagnostic of NMC. Dual-color split-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) can be used to characterize the fusion gene, whether BRD4-NUT or BRD3-NUT, or NUT-variant.

Radiation therapy with or without weekly cisplatin for bulky stage 1B cervical carcinoma: follow-up of a Gynecologic Oncology Group trial.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to confirm that concurrent cisplatin (CT) with radiation therapy (RT) is associated with improved long-term progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), compared with RT alone in stage IB bulky carcinoma of the cervix, when both groups' therapy is followed by hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Three hundred seventy-four patients entered this trial. There were 369 evaluable patients; 186 were randomly allocated to receive RT alone and 183 to receive CT plus RT. Radiation dosage was 45 Gray (Gy) in 20 fractions followed by low dose-rate intracavitary application(s) of 30 Gy to point A. Chemotherapy consisted of intravenous cisplatin 40 mg/m2 every week for up to 6 weekly cycles. Total extrafascial hysterectomy followed the completion of RT by 6-8 weeks. RESULTS: Preliminary results have been published, at which time there were 292 censored observations, and median duration of follow-up was only 36 months. Patient and tumor characteristics were well balanced between the regimens. The median patient age was 41.5 years; 81% had squamous tumors; 59% were white. Median follow-up is now 101 months. The relative risk for progression was 0.61 favoring CT plus RT (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.43 to 0.85, P < .004). At 72 months, 71% of patients receiving CT plus RT were predicted to be alive and disease free when adjusting for age and tumor size, compared with 60% of those receiving RT alone. The adjusted death hazard ratio was 0.63 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.91, P < .015) favoring CT plus RT. At 72 months, 78% of CT plus RT patients were predicted to be alive, compared with 64% of RT patients. An increased rate of early hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity was seen with CT plus RT. There was no detectable difference in the frequency of late adverse events. CONCLUSION: Concurrent weekly cisplatin with RT significantly improves long-term PFS and OS when compared with RT alone. Serious late effects were not increased. The inclusion of hysterectomy has been discontinued on the basis of another trial. Pending further trials, weekly cisplatin with radiation is the standard against which other regimens should be compared.