Folate receptor alpha expression in low-grade serous ovarian cancer: Exploring new therapeutic possibilities.

OBJECTIVE: Mirvetuximab soravtansine may be a potentially effective therapeutic option for ovarian low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC), but the prevalence of folate receptor alpha (FRα) overexpression in this tumor type is unknown. We sought to characterize FRα expression in LGSC and its association with clinical and molecular features. METHODS: FRα immunohistochemistry was performed on a tissue microarray comprised of 89 LGSCs and 42 ovarian serous borderline tumors (SBTs). Clinical tumor-normal panel-based sequencing was performed on 78 LGSCs. Associations between FRα-high status and clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Of 89 LGSCs, 36 (40%) were FRα-high (≥75% of viable tumor cells exhibiting moderate-to-strong membranous expression). Of 9 patients with LGSC and samples from different timepoints, 4 (44%) had discordant results, with conversion from FRα-negative to FRα-high in 3 (33%) cases. There was no association between FRα-high status with age, race, or progression-free/overall survival. A MAPK pathway genetic alteration, most commonly involving KRAS (n = 23), was present in 45 (58%) LGSCs. Those lacking MAPK pathway alterations were more likely to be FRα-high compared to MAPK-altered LGSCs (61% vs 20%, p < 0.001). In SBTs, FRα-high expression was associated with high-risk (micropapillary) histology and/or subsequent LGSC recurrence compared to conventional SBTs without malignant recurrence (53% vs 9%, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Future studies of FRα-directed therapy in patients with LGSC are warranted. Discordant FRα status at recurrence suggests potential benefit for retesting. A biomarker-driven approach to direct treatment selection in LGSC is recommended. As high FRα expression is more common amongst tumors lacking MAPK pathway genetic alterations, FRα testing to determine eligibility for mirvetuximab soravtansine therapy is particularly recommended for this subgroup.

Redefining the standard of care for low-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Low-grade serous carcinoma is a rare epithelial ovarian cancer subtype with distinct clinical, histologic, and molecular features. Improved understanding of this disease subtype has prompted recent advances in treatment options. Although low-grade serous carcinoma historically has been treated following a high-grade serous carcinoma paradigm, new data have called into question the utility of platinum retreatment, addressed the possibility of first-line hormonal treatment, and brought forth therapeutic options targeting the MAPK pathway and cyclin D kinase in low-grade tumors. Ongoing research efforts seek to leverage the unique features of low-grade serous carcinoma to refine treatment options for patients with this rare tumor subtype.

Nivolumab for mismatch-repair-deficient or hypermutated gynecologic cancers: a phase 2 trial with biomarker analyses.

Programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are approved for therapy of gynecologic cancers with DNA mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR), although predictors of response remain elusive. We conducted a single-arm phase 2 study of nivolumab in 35 patients with dMMR uterine or ovarian cancers. Co-primary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival at 24 weeks (PFS24). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DOR) and safety. Exploratory endpoints included biomarkers and molecular correlates of response. The ORR was 58.8% (97.5% confidence interval (CI): 40.7-100%), and the PFS24 rate was 64.7% (97.5% one-sided CI: 46.5-100%), meeting the pre-specified endpoints. The DCR was 73.5% (95% CI: 55.6-87.1%). At the median follow-up of 42.1 months (range, 8.9-59.8 months), median OS was not reached. One-year OS rate was 79% (95% CI: 60.9-89.4%). Thirty-two patients (91%) had a treatment-related adverse event (TRAE), including arthralgia (n = 10, 29%), fatigue (n = 10, 29%), pain (n = 10, 29%) and pruritis (n = 10, 29%); most were grade 1 or grade 2. Ten patients (29%) reported a grade 3 or grade 4 TRAE; no grade 5 events occurred. Exploratory analyses show that the presence of dysfunctional (CD8+PD-1+) or terminally dysfunctional (CD8+PD-1+TOX+) T cells and their interaction with programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1)+ cells were independently associated with PFS24. PFS24 was associated with presence of MEGF8 or SETD1B somatic mutations. This trial met its co-primary endpoints (ORR and PFS24) early, and our findings highlight several genetic and tumor microenvironment parameters associated with response to PD-1 blockade in dMMR cancers, generating rationale for their validation in larger cohorts.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03241745 .

Molecular and pathologic data to guide selection of patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer for ovarian preservation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of molecular and pathologic factors with concurrent or recurrent ovarian disease to guide ovarian preservation in endometrioid endometrial cancer. METHODS: Patients with endometrial cancer ≤50 years of age at diagnosis were grouped by elective oophorectomy versus ovarian preservation at staging (January 2010 to June 2021). Tumors were stratified by molecular sub-type and CTNNB1 mutational status with next generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry. Germline data identified patients with Lynch syndrome. Associations between molecular/pathologic features and concurrent ovarian disease in patients electing oophorectomy were compared with the Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher's exact tests. Associations with isolated ovarian recurrences in patients who chose ovarian preservation were examined using survival analyses. RESULTS: Among 317 patients with endometrial cancer who underwent bilateral oophorectomy, 27 (9%) had malignant ovarian tumors, of whom 11 (41%) had no gross ovarian involvement on intra-operative survey. For patients with sequencing, concurrent malignant ovarian tumors were diagnosed in 0/14 (0%) POLE, 2/48 (4%) copy number-low/no specific molecular profile, 10/22 (45%) microsatellite instability-high, and 3/6 (50%) copy number-high/TP53abnormal patients (p<0.001). Concurrent malignant ovarian tumors were present in 1/30 (3%) hotspot CTNNB1-mutated versus 10/60 (17%) wildtype/CTNNB1 non-hotspot mutated endometrial cancer patients (p=0.11) and 7/28 (25%) Lynch versus 7/74 (9%) non-Lynch syndrome patients (p=0.06). Concurrent malignant ovarian tumors were present in patients with higher grade endometrial cancer (5% grade 1 vs 20% grade 2 and 24% grade 3; p<0.001), present versus absent lymphovascular space invasion (20% vs 6%; p=0.004), positive versus negative pelvic washings (28% vs 7%; p=0.016), and ≥50% versus <50% myoinvasion (24% vs 7%; p=0.004). Of 103 patients who chose ovarian preservation, four had isolated ovarian recurrences (two had high-risk pathologic features and two had high-risk molecular features). CONCLUSIONS: The integration of molecular and pathologic data may improve risk stratification of pre-menopausal patients with endometrial cancer and enhance candidate selection for ovarian preservation.

Leave it in the past - primary treatment modality for high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer is not associated with secondary cytoreduction outcomes: A Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Team Ovary study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare outcomes of patients with high-grade epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who underwent secondary cytoreduction surgery (SCS) after up-front treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery (NACT-IDS) versus primary debulking surgery (PDS). METHODS: Patients with high-grade EOC who underwent SCS from 2/1/2004-10/31/2021 were classified by up-front treatment. Clinical and treatment characteristics were compared between cohorts. Progression-free survival (PFS2) and overall survival (OS2) following SCS were compared using a Cox model adjusted for stage, age at SCS, and number of years between end of chemotherapy and SCS. RESULTS: Of 374 patients, 62 (17%) underwent NACT-IDS and 312 (83%) PDS. Justification for NACT was disease extent (n = 57, 92%), comorbidities (n = 3, 5%), and thromboembolism (n = 2, 3%). The NACT-IDS cohort had a higher median age at SCS (64 years [IQR: 56-70] vs 59 years [IQR: 53-66]; P = .03), higher proportion of stage III/IV disease (100% vs 81%; P < .001), and shorter median interval between end of chemotherapy and SCS (1.5 years [IQR: 1.1-2.3] vs 1.9 years [IQR: 1.3-3.1]; P = .01). Achievement of complete gross resection at SCS did not differ between NACT-IDS and PDS (84% vs 88%; P = .18). PFS2 (HR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.83-1.71) and OS2 (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.57-1.63) did not vary by primary treatment modality after adjusting for clinically relevant covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Despite more extensive disease at presentation, patients with high-grade EOC who recur after NACT-IDS seem to have similar surgical and survival outcomes after SCS compared to patients who recur after PDS, suggesting that prior NACT-IDS should not preclude SCS.

The highs and lows of serous ovarian cancer.

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer was initially described as a distinct type of rare epithelial ovarian cancer 20 years ago; however, only recently have physicians begun to leverage the understanding of the clinical behavior and molecular profile of this disease for treatment. The use of routine next-generation sequencing has allowed a deeper understanding of the molecular drivers of this disease and shown how molecular alterations in mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway genes such as KRAS and BRAF can affect overall prognosis and disease behavior. The use of targeted therapies, including MEK inhibitors, BRAF kinase inhibitors, and other investigational targeted therapies are changing the way this disease is viewed and treated. In addition, endocrine therapy can provide prolonged disease stability with generally mild toxicity, as well as promising response rates in recent studies examining combination therapy with CDK 4/6 inhibitors in the upfront and recurrent setting. Once seen merely as a chemo-resistant form of ovarian cancer, recent studies have worked to harness the unique features of low-grade serous ovarian cancer to provide individualized treatment options for patients with this disease.

Phase I Study of a Multivalent WT1 Peptide Vaccine (Galinpepimut-S) in Combination with Nivolumab in Patients with WT1-Expressing Ovarian Cancer in Second or Third Remission.

We examined the safety and immunogenicity of sequential administration of a tetravalent, non-HLA (human leukocyte antigen) restricted, heteroclitic Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT1) peptide vaccine (galinpepimut-S) with anti-PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) nivolumab. This open-label, non-randomized phase I study enrolled patients with WT1-expressing ovarian cancer in second or third remission from June 2016 to July 2017. Therapy included six (every two weeks) subcutaneous inoculations of galinpepimut-S vaccine adjuvanted with Montanide, low-dose subcutaneous sargramostim at the injection site, with intravenous nivolumab over 12 weeks, and up to six additional doses until disease progression or toxicity. One-year progression-free survival (PFS) was correlated to T-cell responses and WT1-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G levels. Eleven patients were enrolled; seven experienced a grade 1 adverse event, and one experienced a grade ≥3 adverse event considered a dose-limiting toxicity. Ten (91%) of eleven patients had T-cell responses to WT1 peptides. Seven (88%) of eight evaluable patients had IgG against WT1 antigen and full-length protein. In evaluable patients who received >2 treatments of galinpepimut-S and nivolumab, the 1-year PFS rate was 70%. Coadministration of galinpepimut-S and nivolumab demonstrated a tolerable toxicity profile and induced immune responses, as indicated by immunophenotyping and WT1-specific IgG production. Exploratory analysis for efficacy yielded a promising 1-year PFS rate.

Prevention over screening for ovarian cancer in patients with high-risk germline mutations: Misinterpreting the findings of ALDO.

In November 2022, the findings of the Avoiding Late Diagnosis of Ovarian cancer (ALDO) study were published. Subsequent media coverage suggested that investigators had found a safe alternative to risk-reducing bilateral salpingoophorectomy (rrBSO) in patients with pathogenic BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations who chose to decline or defer risk-reducing surgery. Unfortunately, this media coverage was largely misleading. Specifically, in the ALDO trial, 4 of 6 patients found to have ovarian cancer by the ALDO screening methodology were diagnosed with advanced-stage disease. The primary endpoint of the ALDO study was the rate of complete surgical cytoreduction, rather than stage at diagnosis or overall survival, which is an inappropriate surrogate for benefit in a population at risk of ovarian cancer. The ALDO trial again demonstrates that screening women at high-risk of ovarian cancer should not be considered a safe alternative to risk-reducing surgery, and can lead to false reassurance and the development of preventable cases of ovarian cancer. While we should continue to investigate new screening options, future efforts should largely focus on why patients decline rrBSO in the first place and how we can pivot our efforts to better address concerns related to rrBSO, including sequelae of surgical menopause. Furthermore, as we continue to understand the role of the fallopian tube in the epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) disease process, we must identify the role of salpingectomy alone in prevention of EOC.

Chemotherapy response in low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma at a comprehensive cancer center: Readdressing the roles of platinum and cytotoxic therapies.

BACKGROUND: Data on platinum sensitivity of low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (LGSOC) in the upfront setting is lacking, and there is limited and contradictory information on chemotherapy responses in recurrent disease. METHODS: Patients with LGSOC seen at a comprehensive cancer center from January 1, 1998 to September 30, 2021 were identified from institutional databases. Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) or adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy and to second- to fifth-line regimens was retrospectively characterized by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1. Wilcoxon rank-sum and two-tailed Fisher exact tests were employed. RESULTS: Of 50 patients, 12 received platinum doublets for suboptimal residual disease and 11 as NACT. Of 12 patients with suboptimal residual disease, seven (58%) achieved objective responses (five partial responses [PRs] and two complete responses); of the 11 patients who underwent NACT, one (9%) achieved a PR (p = .027). The 15 remaining patients had stable disease on first-line platinum chemotherapy. Of 44 patients who recurred, 20 had RECIST-evaluable responses to second-line and 27 to third-line chemotherapy. Objective response rates to platinum-based chemotherapy were 22% (two of nine) in the second line and 10% (one of 10) in the third. In second and third lines, highest response rates were observed with nonplatinum chemotherapy with bevacizumab, at 100% (two of two) and 30% (three of 10), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Primary platinum-based chemotherapy has moderate activity in LGSOC and minimal activity in the recurrent setting, suggesting standard definitions of platinum sensitivity may not apply in LGSOC. In the second and third lines, nonplatinum chemotherapy/bevacizumab elicited the highest response rates.

Predicting outcomes in female germ cell tumors using a modified International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group classification system to guide management.

OBJECTIVE: We previously developed preoperative and pre-chemotherapy modified versions of the male International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) prognostic model and assessed it in female patients with germ cell tumors (GCTs). We sought to validate these modified IGCCCG (mIGCCCG) models in a new cohort. METHODS: We queried institutional databases for female patients with GCTs treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center from 1/1/1990-6/1/2020. The mIGCCCG model classifies patients with non-dysgerminomas as good, intermediate, or poor risk based on tumor markers using male IGCCCG cutoffs and absence/presence of non-pulmonary/peritoneal visceral metastasis. In dysgerminomas, good- and intermediate-risk groups are defined by absence/presence of non-pulmonary/peritoneal visceral metastasis. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated for each group in the validation and combined original and validation cohorts. Associations between individual clinical factors and outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 183 female patients with GCTs, clinical characteristics and outcomes were similar between the original (n = 93) and validation (n = 90) cohorts. In multivariable models, higher stage, older age, and non-dysgerminoma histology predicted worse PFS and OS (p < 0.05). Among 162 patients who received chemotherapy, preoperative and pre-chemotherapy mIGCCCG models were significantly associated with PFS and OS (p < 0.001 for all groups). With the preoperative model, 3-year PFS rates were 94%, 76%, and 50% in the good-, intermediate-, and poor-risk patients, respectively; OS rates were 96%, 86%, and 52%, respectively. Even within stage groups, mIGCCCG risk classifications were associated with clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A female-specific mIGCCCG risk model effectively stratifies patients and should be incorporated into clinical trials.

Demographic shifts associated with implementation of evidence-based guidelines for ovarian conservation in patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: In 2018, evidence-based surgical guidelines were introduced to identify appropriate patients with low-grade endometrioid endometrial cancer for ovarian conservation. We sought to identify trends and demographic shifts associated with guideline implementation. METHODS: We identified women treated for endometrioid endometrial cancer at our institution from January 2010 to June 2021. Eligibility criteria included age ≤50 years, normal-appearing ovaries on preoperative imaging, no family history of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome or Lynch syndrome, and no hormone receptor-positive malignancy. Trends in ovarian conservation were examined with the Cochran-Armitage trend test or in a logistic regression model. Associations between ovarian conservation and clinicodemographic factors before and after guideline implementation were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Of 420 women ≤50 years of age undergoing surgery for endometrioid endometrial cancer, 355 (85%) met the criteria for ovarian conservation-267 (75%) before and 88 (25%) after guideline implementation. Median patient age was 45 years (range 25-50); 62% were non-Hispanic White, 10% Hispanic White, 8% non-Hispanic Black, 0% Hispanic Black, and 20% Asian. Patients were significantly more likely to choose ovarian conservation after (48%) compared with before guideline implementation (21%) (p<0.001). Pre-guidelines, non-Hispanic White women were less likely to elect for ovarian conservation (12%) compared with non-Hispanic Black, Asian, or Hispanic White women (28%) (p=0.002). Similarly, older women were less likely to elect for ovarian conservation compared with younger women (p<0.001). There were no differences by obesity (p=0.68), marital status (p=0.86), or insurance (p=0.89). Post-guidelines, there were no differences in ovarian conservation between non-Hispanic White women (36%) and non-Hispanic Black, Asian, or Hispanic White women (50%) (p=0.56). Older women were still less likely to elect for ovarian conservationcompared with younger women (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After guideline implementation, ovarian conservation increased and uptake disparities across demographic groups decreased.

Microsatellite Instability-High Endometrial Cancers with MLH1 Promoter Hypermethylation Have Distinct Molecular and Clinical Profiles.

PURPOSE: Microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) endometrial carcinomas are underpinned by distinct mechanisms of DNA mismatch repair deficiency (MMR-D). We sought to characterize the clinical and genetic features of MSI-H endometrial cancers harboring germline or somatic mutations in MMR genes or MLH1 promoter hypermethylation (MLH1ph). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Of > 1,100 patients with endometrial cancer that underwent clinical tumor-normal sequencing, 184 had MSI-H endometrial cancers due to somatic MMR mutations or MLH1ph, or harbored pathogenic germline MMR mutations. Clinicopathologic features, mutational landscape, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) scores were compared among MMR-D groups using nonparametric tests. Log-rank tests were used for categorical associations; Kaplan-Meier method and Wald test based on Cox proportional hazards models were employed for continuous variables and survival analyses. RESULTS: Compared with patients with germline (n = 25) and somatic (n = 39) mutations, patients with MLH1ph endometrial cancers (n = 120) were older (P < 0.001), more obese (P = 0.001) and had more advanced disease at diagnosis (P = 0.025). MLH1ph endometrial cancers were enriched for JAK1 somatic mutations as opposed to germline MMR-D endometrial cancers which showed enrichment for pathogenic ERBB2 mutations. MLH1ph endometrial cancers exhibited lower tumor mutational burden and TIL scores compared with endometrial cancers harboring germline or somatic MMR mutations (P < 0.01). MLH1ph endometrial cancer patients had shorter progression-free survival (PFS) on univariate analysis, but in multivariable models, stage at diagnosis remained the only predictor of survival. For stage I/II endometrial cancer, two-year PFS was inferior for patients with MLH1ph endometrial cancers compared with germline and somatic MMR groups (70% vs. 100%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: MLH1ph endometrial cancers likely constitute a distinct clinicopathologic entity compared with germline and somatic MMR-D ECs with potential treatment implications.

Assessment of wound perfusion with near-infrared angiography: A prospective feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of quantitatively measuring skin perfusion before and after suture or staple skin closure of vertical laparotomies using indocyanine green (ICG) uptake with near-infrared angiography. METHODS: This was a prospective, non-randomized feasibility study of patients undergoing surgery with a gynecologic oncology service from 2/2018-8/2019. Feasibility was defined as the ability to quantitatively measure ICG uptake adjacent to the wound at the time of skin closure in ≥ 80% of patients. Patients were assigned suture or staple skin closure in a sequential, non-randomized fashion. Skin perfusion was recorded using a near-infrared imaging system after ICG injection and measured by video analysis at predefined points before and after skin closure. Clinicodemographic, pre- and intraoperative details, and surgical secondary events were recorded. RESULTS: Of 20 participants, 10 were assigned staple closure and 10 suture closure. Two patients (10%) achieved objective quantification of ICG fluorescence before and after laparotomy closure, failing the predefined feasibility threshold of ≥ 80%. Reasons for failed quantification included overexposure (12), insufficient ICG signal uptake (6), and insufficient video quality (2). Near-infrared angiography wound perfusion was subjectively appreciated intraoperatively in 85% (17/20) of patients before and after wound closure. CONCLUSIONS: Objective assessment of laparotomy skin closure with near-infrared angiography-measured perfusion did not meet the pre-specified feasibility threshold. Adjustments to the protocol to minimize overexposure may be warranted. The ability to subjectively appreciate ICG perfusion with near-infrared angiography suggests a possible role for near-infrared angiography in the real-time intraoperative assessment of wound perfusion, particularly in high-risk patients.

Prospective Phase II Trial of Montelukast to Treat Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome after Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Investigation into Bronchiolitis Obliterans Syndrome Pathogenesis.

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is a severe manifestation of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) following hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Montelukast interrupts cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) activity and may diminish the activation and homing of cells to bronchioles and subsequent fibrosis. We performed a prospective phase II trial to test whether montelukast altered lung decline for patients with BOS after HCT. In this single-arm, open-label, multi-institutional study, the primary endpoints were stability or improvement (<15% decline) in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and a <1-point decline in the slope of FEV1 after 6 months of treatment. Secondary endpoints included symptom and functional responses and immune correlates investigating the role of leukotrienes in BOS progression. The study enrolled 25 patients with moderate to severe lung disease after 3 months of stable cGVHD therapy. Montelukast was well tolerated, and no patient required escalation of BOS-directed therapy. At the primary endpoint, all 23 evaluable patients met the criteria for treatment success using FEV1% predicted, and all but 1 patient had stable or improved FEV1 slope. In those with a >5% improvement in FEV1, clinically meaningful improvements were seen in the Lee scores of breathing, energy, and mood. Improvements in the Human Activity Profile and 6-minute-walk test were observed in those with a <5% decline in FEV1. Overall survival was 87% at 2 years. Immune correlates showed elevated leukotriene receptor levels on blood eosinophils and monocytes versus healthy controls, elevated urine leukotrienes in 45% of the cohort, and CysLT receptors in bronchoalveolar lavage subsets and a predominance of Th2 cells, all pretreatment. These data suggest that montelukast may safely halt the progression of BOS after HCT, and that leukotrienes may play a role in the biology of BOS.

Risk factors for financial toxicity in patients with gynecologic cancer.

BACKGROUND: The cost of cancer care is high and rising. Evidence of increased patient cost burden is prevalent in the medical literature and has been defined as "financial toxicity," the financial hardship and financial concerns experienced by patients because of a disease and its related treatments. With targeted therapies and growing out-of-pocket costs, patient financial toxicity is a growing concern among patients with gynecologic cancer. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of financial toxicity and identify its risk factors in patients with gynecologic cancer treated at a large cancer center using objective data. STUDY DESIGN: Using institutional databases, we identified patients with gynecologic cancer treated from January 2016 to December 2018. Patients with a preinvasive disease were excluded. Financial toxicity was defined according to institutionally derived metrics as the presence of ≥1 of the following: ≥2 bills sent to collections, application or granting of a payment plan, settlement, bankruptcy, financial assistance program enrollment, or a finance-related social work visit. Clinical characteristics were gathered using a 2-year look-back from the time of the first financial toxicity event or a randomly selected treatment date for those not experiencing toxicity. Risk factors were assessed using chi-squared tests. All significant variables on univariate analysis were included in the logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of the 4655 patients included in the analysis, 1155 (25%) experienced financial toxicity. In the univariate analysis, cervical cancer (35%), stage 3 or 4 disease (24% and 30%, respectively), younger age (35% for age <30 years), nonpartnered marital status (31%), Black (45%) or Hispanic (37%) race and ethnicity, self-pay (48%) or commercial insurance (30%), clinical trial participation (31%), more imaging studies (39% for ≥9), ≥1 emergency department visit (36%), longer inpatient stays (36% for ≥20 days), and more outpatient clinician visits (41% for ≥20 visits) were significantly associated with financial toxicity (P<.01). In multivariate analysis, younger age, nonpartnered marital status, Black and Hispanic race and ethnicity, commercial insurance, more imaging studies, and more outpatient physician visits were significantly associated with financial toxicity. CONCLUSION: Financial toxicity is an increasing problem for patients with gynecologic cancer. Our analysis, using objective measures of financial toxicity, has suggested that demographic factors and healthcare utilization metrics may be used to proactively identify at-risk patients for financial toxicity.

Phase II study of enzalutamide in androgen receptor positive, recurrent, high- and low-grade serous ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of the oral androgen receptor antagonist enzalutamide in patients with previously treated, recurrent, AR-positive (AR+) ovarian cancer. METHODS: This was a single-institution phase II study of patients with AR+ ovarian cancer with measurable disease with 1-3 prior lines of chemotherapy; patients were screened for enrollment from 11/2013-7/2018. Following consent, archival tissue was evaluated for AR+. Enrolled patients received daily enzalutamide 160 mg until progression of disease or treatment discontinuation. Adverse events were graded by CTCAE v4.0. Co-primary endpoints were 6-month progression-free survival (PFS6) and overall response rate (ORR) by RECIST 1.1 criteria. RESULTS: During the study period, 160 patients were screened and 59 (45 high-grade serous [HGS] and 14 low-grade serous [LGS]) consented to treatment on study. There was 1 confirmed and 1 unconfirmed partial response. The ORR was 1.7% (90% CI: 0.2-100%). The overall PFS6 rate (as binary) was 22% (90% CI: 15.1-100%). The 6-month PFS rate (as time to event) was 19.8% for HGS patients (90% CI: 12.7-100%) and 38.5% (90% CI: 21.7%-100%) for LGS patients. Grade 3 toxicities occurred in 6 patients (one toxicity (Grade 3 rash) was considered a dose-limiting toxicity). One patient died of cardiac arrest after 42 days on treatment of a cardiac arrest not attributed to study drug. CONCLUSIONS: The study met its primary endpoint, with a PFS6 rate of 22% (n = 13); however, the overall response rate was low. Enzalutamide was well tolerated and may be a potential treatment option in select patients.