Activated p38-MAPK and gemcitabine sensitivity in recurrent ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to investigate if p38-MAPK determined in primary ovarian cancer can serve as a predictive marker for sensitivity to gemcitabine treatment in recurrent disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Activated (phosphorylated) p38-MAPK was immunohistochemically assessed in paraffin-embedded tumors obtained at primary debulking surgery from 45 patients treated with gemcitabine for platinum-resistant recurrence. The value of activated p38-MAPK in predicting sensitivity to gemcitabine treatment was statistically evaluated. RESULTS: Activated p38-MAPK was demonstrated in all healthy ovaries and all ovarian carcinomas examined. In controls, the median histological score (H-score) for activated p38-MAPK staining was 200, while in ovarian cancer the median H-score was 100. Activity of p38-MAPK in ovarian cancer tissue was not associated with overall response or survival after gemcitabine chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: P38-MAPK activity, determined by immunohistochemistry in ovarian cancer specimens obtained at primary diagnosis, cannot serve as a predictive marker for sensitivity to gemcitabine treatment in platinum-resistant disease.

Influence of the time interval between hysteroscopy, dilation and curettage, and hysterectomy on survival in patients with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether a prolonged time interval between dilation and curettage (D&C) and hysterectomy has an effect on survival in patients with surgically treated endometrial cancer. METHODS: In this multicenter study, time between D&C and hysterectomy was correlated to clinical data in 344 surgically staged patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) interval between D&C and hysterectomy in patients with endometrial cancer was 23 (13-34) days. In a univariable survival analysis, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) tumor stage (P<.001, P<.001), tumor grade (P<.001, P<.001), and patients' age (P<.001, P<.001), but not time interval from D&C to hysterectomy (P=.06, P=.07) were associated with disease-free and overall survival, respectively. In a multivariable Cox regression model, FIGO tumor stage (P<.001, P<.001), and patients' age (P<.001, P<.001) but not tumor grade (P=.4, P=.2) or time interval between D&C and hysterectomy (P=.5, P=.8) were independent prognostic factors for disease-free and overall survival, respectively. CONCLUSION: We were not able to show that a prolonged time interval between D&C and hysterectomy has a significant effect on the prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.