Predicting recurrence in intermediate­ and high­risk stage IB­IIB cervical cancer treated with adjuvant cisplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy post­radical hysterectomy: The role of TBX2 expression.

Cervical cancer remains a significant global health concern despite advances in prevention and treatment. Current management for intermediate- to high-risk stage IB-IIB cervical cancer post-radical hysterectomy involves irradiation or concurrent chemoradiation, although patients can exhibit several adverse events. Adjuvant chemotherapy has emerged as a promising alternative; however, its efficacy remains unclear. T-box (TBX)2 is a transcription factor that is involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression during cancer and embryonic development. Additionally, elevated expression of TBX2 is associated with resistance to DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin, carboplatin and doxorubicin. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between TBX2 expression and recurrence in patients receiving adjuvant cisplatin and paclitaxel (TP) chemotherapy post-radical hysterectomy. Additionally, the impact of TBX2 knockdown on cisplatin sensitivity was assessed in vitro. A retrospective analysis was performed on 100 patients. Patients were categorized into two groups based on recurrence within 2 years of treatment initiation: The non-recurrent group (n=85) and the recurrent group (n=15). TBX2 expression was assessed immunohistochemically, and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of recurrence. Additionally, the impact of small interfering RNA-mediated TBX2 knockdown on cervical cancer cell sensitivity to cisplatin was evaluated. TBX2 expression was significantly higher in the recurrent group compared with that in the non-recurrent group (P<0.01). Patients were stratified into low TBX2 expression (weighted score ≤8; n=80) and high TBX2 expression (weighted score ≥9; n=20) groups. The high TBX2 expression group exhibited a higher recurrence rate compared with the low expression group (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis identified TBX2 expression as an independent predictor of recurrence (P<0.01). Moreover, TBX2 knockdown significantly enhanced cervical cancer cell sensitivity to cisplatin in vitro (P<0.05). These findings highlight TBX2 expression as a potential predictive biomarker for recurrence amongst patients with intermediate- to high-risk stage IB-IIB cervical cancer receiving adjuvant TP chemotherapy post-radical hysterectomy.

Role of Fyn expression in predicting the sensitivity to platinum­based chemotherapy in patients with ovarian serous carcinoma.

Ovarian serous carcinoma is a gynecological malignancy associated with a high mortality rate, which is commonly diagnosed in the first instance at a late stage and has a propensity to develop resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. Identifying reliable biomarkers for platinum sensitivity is critical for improving patient outcomes. The present retrospective study included 64 patients with high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages III or IV). Patients were classified as platinum-sensitive (no relapse within 6 months of the last platinum administration) or platinum-resistant (relapse within 6 months). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate Fyn expression in tumor tissues, and Fyn knockdown experiments were performed using the OVSAHO ovarian cancer cell line to assess carboplatin sensitivity. Fyn expression was significantly higher in platinum-resistant patients compared with in platinum-sensitive patients (P<0.01). A weighted Fyn expression score was developed and a cutoff score of 6 was determined to predict platinum sensitivity with a specificity of 65.5% and a sensitivity of 62.9%. Patients with low Fyn expression (score ≤6) exhibited higher platinum sensitivity and longer overall survival (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified Fyn expression and postoperative residual tumor size as independent predictors of platinum sensitivity (P=0.033 and P=0.023, respectively). In vitro, Fyn knockdown significantly increased carboplatin sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells (P<0.05). Fyn, a member of the Src family of kinases, serves a crucial role in various cellular functions and has been implicated in chemotherapy resistance. The results demonstrated a notable association between Fyn expression and platinum sensitivity in ovarian serous carcinoma. The findings suggested that Fyn may serve as a predictive biomarker for response to platinum-based chemotherapy, offering the potential for more personalized treatment strategies. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to establish an association between Fyn expression and platinum sensitivity in advanced ovarian serous carcinoma. Prospective studies with larger, multi-center cohorts and comprehensive biomarker analyses are recommended to validate and extend these results, ultimately improving therapeutic strategies and patient prognosis.

Carcinomatous meningitis from ovarian serous carcinoma: A case report.

Multifocal dissemination of cancer cells from the primary tumor sites to the subarachnoid, pia mater and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the brain and spinal cord causes carcinomatous meningitis (CM). CM is rarely observed in patients with gynecological cancer. The present study described a 59-year-old woman who was diagnosed with CM as a recurrence of stage IIIC ovarian cancer, after presenting with headache and decreased level of consciousness. During adjuvant therapy following surgical debulking, she developed nausea and vomiting. The post-contrast fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery magnetic resonance imaging showed leptomeningeal enhancement on all sulci, particularly around the falx cerebri and cerebellar hemisphere. CM was suspected and CSF cytology revealed adenocarcinoma cells, thus confirming the diagnosis. Overall, although CM is rare, clinicians should be aware of this complication when patients with malignancies experience neurological symptoms, including headache, nausea and vomiting. Knowledge of this clinical entity should assist clinicians in ascertaining accurate diagnoses.

Real-world Efficacy and Safety of Bevacizumab for Advanced or Recurrent Müllerian Cancer: A Single-institutional Experience.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The efficacy and safety of bevacizumab for ovarian cancer have been reported in randomized phase III clinical trials. It is important to gather experience and data in a real-world setting. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab for patients with ovarian cancer in a real-world setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For front-line settings, patients with FIGO stage III-IV ovarian cancer treated using bevacizumab and chemotherapy after debulking surgery (Chemo + Bev group, n=79), in addition to those treated with only chemotherapy after debulking surgery (Chemo group; n=66), at our institute were reviewed retrospectively. For recurrent settings, patients with recurrent ovarian cancers treated with bevacizumab and any chemotherapy were reviewed retrospectively (n=65). RESULTS: In the front-line setting, the disease-free survival was significantly longer in the Chemo + Bev group compared with that in the Chemo group (p=0.021). Hypertension and proteinuria were found to be statistically more frequent in the Chemo + Bev group compared with that in the Chemo group (p=0.002 and p=0.004). In the recurrent setting, in platinum-sensitive patients, the response rate (RR) and the disease control ratio (DCR) were 78.4 and 94.1%, respectively. In platinum-resistant patients, the RR and the DCR were 28.6 and 57.1% respectively. The median progression-free survival was 18.3 and 7.1 months for platinum-sensitive recurrence and platinum-resistant recurrence, respectively. The major ≥ grade 3 adverse event was neutropenia. CONCLUSION: The present study provided encouraging real-world evidence of the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab for ovarian cancer in real-world.

CLPTM1L expression predicts recurrence of patients with intermediate­ and high­risk stage IB­IIB cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy followed by TP as adjuvant chemotherapy.

According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines of cervical cancer, concurrent chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy is suggested for patients who receive radical hysterectomy and have intermediate- and high-risk cervical cancer. However, adjuvant chemotherapy has been increasingly chosen given the adverse events associated with chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy and the increase in evidence regarding the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy. Given that adjuvant chemotherapy is not a standard treatment at present, if recurrence after adjuvant chemotherapy could be predicted, it would assist the decision of gynecological oncologists selecting which adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy or radiation therapy) to use. Cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1-like protein (CLPTM1L; also known as cisplatin resistance-related protein 9) is associated with apoptotic mechanisms and is related to the proliferation of the tumor cells and resistance against chemotherapy. In the present study, the association between CLPTM1L expression and recurrence of intermediate- and high-risk stage IB-IIB cervical cancer in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy followed by treatment with cisplatin and paclitaxel (TP) as adjuvant chemotherapy was determined. Patients were divided into two groups: Recurrence group and no-recurrence group. CLPTM1L expression was examined using immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded sections using weighted scores. Regarding the characteristics of the patients, a histology of non-squamous cell carcinoma, lymph node metastasis and parametrium invasion were more common in the recurrence group compared with the non-recurrence group. In the recurrence group, CLPTM1L expression was significantly higher than that in the no-recurrence group. Next, patients were divided into low and high-expression groups based on the weighted score with a cut-off value of 6. In the high expression group, patients exhibited a higher rate of recurrence (37.5 vs. 5.1%) and had worse overall survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that high CLPTM1L expression was independently related to recurrence. In in vitro analysis, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of CLPTM1L enhanced the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to cisplatin. In conclusion, the present study revealed that CLPTM1L expression may be a predictive biomarker of recurrence of intermediate- and high-risk stage IB-IIB cervical cancer in patients undergoing radical hysterectomy followed by TP as adjuvant chemotherapy.

Intestinal­type mucinous carcinoma of the endometrium showing a polypoidal exophytic form: A case report.

Although endometrial cancer is a common malignancy in women, rare histological subtypes can pose diagnostic challenges. Primary endometrial intestinal-type mucinous carcinoma is a newly recognized subtype of endometrial cancer that differs from Müllerian-type endometrial mucinous carcinoma. The present case report documents a rare case of intestinal-type mucinous carcinoma of the endometrium showing a polypoidal exophytic form. The patient, an 80-year-old female, was incidentally diagnosed with a uterine tumor during a follow-up for vulvar Paget's disease. Clinical and imaging examinations revealed a localized mass within the uterine cavity. Hysteroscopy and subsequent histological examination confirmed the presence of intestinal-type mucinous carcinoma of the endometrium. Microscopically, the tumor displayed adenocarcinoma containing an intestinal-type glandular epithelium with mild nuclear atypia. It stained positive for the gastrointestinal markers mucin 2 and caudal type homeobox 2, and stained negatively for estrogen receptor α. The patient underwent surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy, with no evidence of recurrence at the latest follow-up 6 months after surgery. Endometrial intestinal-type mucinous carcinoma is a rare histological subtype of endometrial cancer. Differential diagnoses include Müllerian-type endometrial mucinous carcinoma, endocervical adenocarcinoma, metastasis from gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinoma and non-neoplastic gastric/intestinal metaplasia. However, the prognosis of endometrial intestinal-type mucinous carcinoma remains unclear due to limited reported cases. Existing evidence suggests a poorer prognosis compared with classical mucinous carcinomas of the endometrium. The present case, which is characterized by a polypoidal exophytic tumor without myometrial invasion, showed a favorable outcome. Further documentation and characterization of the aforementioned rare malignancy are necessary to enhance the understanding of its clinical physiology and outcomes. The present case report highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with intestinal-type mucinous endometrial carcinoma. The inclusion of this type of malignancy in the latest World Health Organization classification emphasizes the need for further comprehensive studies and case reports to expand the current knowledge on this rare histological subtype.

Fyn expression is associated with the response of patients with locally advanced uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by surgery is the current standard of treatment for locally advanced uterine cervical cancer; however, its value and outcomes remain contested. Identifying biomarkers that allow for the prediction of the effect of NAC efficacy before initiation of treatment is essential, in order to assist in choosing the optimum therapeutic regimen to maximize the beneficial outcomes of treatment. In the present retrospective study, 44 patients with locally advanced uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma who underwent NAC were divided into two groups: A NAC successful group and a NAC failure group, depending on the efficacy of NAC. Subsequently, the association between Fyn expression, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that is a member of the Src family kinases, and NAC efficacy was determined; Fyn expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and assessed using a weighted scoring method. Additionally, the effect of Fyn knockdown on the sensitivity of a uterine cervical cancer cell line to cisplatin was determined. Notably, there were no significant differences between the two groups of patients regarding their characteristics. Regarding overall survival, the NAC successful group had a significantly longer survival time than the NAC failure group (P=0.01). Furthermore, the expression levels of Fyn in tumor tissues were significantly lower in the NAC successful group compared with those in the NAC failure group (P=0.003). The patients were subsequently divided into two groups (high expression group and low expression group) according to a cutoff value of 3, which was determined by producing a receiver operating characteristic curve from the weighted scores. The low expression group was significantly more sensitive to NAC than the high expression group (P<0.001). In vitro experiments revealed that Fyn knockdown significantly enhanced the sensitivity of uterine cancer cells to cisplatin (P<0.05). In conclusion, Fyn expression may be a potentially useful biomarker for predicting the response to NAC in patients with locally advanced uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma, and may also be a promising molecular target for the management of uterine cancer.