Molecular Surrogate Subtypes of Ovarian and Peritoneal Low-grade Serous Carcinoma.

Low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) is an uncommon histotype of ovarian carcinoma, accounting for ~3% of cases. There is evidence that survival of peritoneal LGSC (pLGSC) is longer than that of ovarian LGSC (oLGSC). Key molecular alterations of LGSC have been established, including loss of CDKN2A and PR expression, MAPK pathway alterations, and loss of USP9X expression.

Implementation of a surgical site infection prevention bundle in gynecologic oncology patients: An enhanced recovery after surgery initiative.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes pre- and post-implementation of an evidence-informed surgical site infection prevention bundle (SSIPB) in gynecologic oncology patients within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) care pathway.

Methods: Patients undergoing laparotomy for a gynecologic oncology surgery between January-June 2017 (pre-SSIPB) and between January 2018-December 2020 (post-SSIPB) were compared using t-tests and chi-square. Patient characteristics, surgical factors, and ERAS process measures and outcomes were abstracted from the ERAS® Interactive Audit System (EIAS).

Barriers to High-quality Postoperative Glycemic Management by Surgical Teams: A Theory-informed Qualitative Analysis.

Objective: Our aim in this study was to identify the barriers to following recommendations for postoperative glycemic management among surgical team members.

Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with surgical team members guided by 2 theoretical frameworks for understanding the barriers and drivers of health-care behaviours: the Theoretical Domains Framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Interview data were coded deductively by 2 study team members.

Impact of hydrogel biophysical properties on tumor spheroid growth and drug response.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in regulating cell-matrix interactions during tumor progression. These interactions are due in large part to the biophysical properties responding to cancer cell interactions. Within in vitro models, the ECM is mimicked by hydrogels, which possess adjustable biophysical properties that are integral to tumor development.

Implementation of a Perioperative Glycemic Management Quality Improvement Pathway in Gynecologic Oncology Patients: A Single-cohort Interrupted Time-series Analysis.

Objective: We evaluated implementation and clinical outcomes of a perioperative glycemic management pathway in gynecologic oncology.

Methods: Interrupted time-series analysis was used to compare process, balancing and outcome measures and clinical outcomes from 18 months preimplementation to 18 months postimplementation.

Results: Compared with in the preimplementation period, the proportion of patients who underwent preoperative screening with glycated hemoglobin in the postimplementation period increased by 11.

Biophysical properties of hydrogels for mimicking tumor extracellular matrix.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential component of the tumor microenvironment. It plays a critical role in regulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. However, there is lack of systematic and comparative studies on different widely-used ECM mimicking hydrogels and their properties, making the selection of suitable hydrogels for mimicking different in vivo conditions quite random.

Progression-free survival and quality of life in metastatic breast cancer: The patient perspective.

Introduction: Treatment advances for metastatic breast cancer (mBC) have improved overall survival (OS) in some mBC subtypes; however, there remains no cure for mBC. Considering the use of progression-free survival (PFS) and other surrogate endpoints in clinical trials, we must understand patient perspectives on measures used to assess treatment efficacy.

Objective: To explore global patient perceptions of the concept of PFS and its potential relation to quality of life (QoL).

Alginate Particles for Enzyme Immobilization Using Spray Drying.

Enzymes are important catalysts for biological processes due to their high catalytic activity and selectivity. However, their low thermal stability limited their industrial applications. The present work demonstrates a simple and effective method for enzyme immobilization via spray drying.

Quality gaps in screening and monitoring for postoperative hyperglycemia in a Canadian hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Evidence-based preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative glycemic management may reduce poor surgical outcomes. Previous studies suggest that quality gaps in perioperative glycemic management may be common.

Research Design And Methods: This retrospective cohort study used administrative health and laboratory data from a single center to estimate quality gaps in perioperative glycemic management in patients with and without diabetes between April 2019 and March 2020.

Universal Testing to Identify Lynch Syndrome Among Women With Newly Diagnosed Endometrial Carcinoma.

Background: Lynch syndrome (LS) is an autosomal dominant cancer syndrome caused by a germline mutation in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Protocols based on immunohistochemical expression of MMR proteins in cancer are used to identify patients with LS.

Methods: The universal LS screening protocol of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre (Calgary, AB) of all patients diagnosed between April 1, 2013 and April 1, 2015 with endometrioid carcinoma of the endometrium was audited through a retrospective chart review.

Impact of transversus abdominis plane blocks versus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory on post-operative opioid use in ERAS ovarian cancer surgery.

Background: Treatment of ovarian cancer often requires extensive surgical resection. The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been utilized in benign gynecologic surgery to decrease post-operative pain and opioid use. We hypothesized that TAP blocks would decrease total opioid use in the first 24 hours and decrease length of stay following staging and cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer compared with either no local anesthetic or local wound infiltration alone.

Treatment related outcomes in high-risk endometrial carcinoma: Canadian high risk endometrial cancer consortium (CHREC).

Objective: The lack of randomized clinical data pertaining to optimal surgery and adjuvant treatment in women with high-risk histotypes of endometrial cancer has resulted in selective management based on institutional policies. The objective of this study was to assess differences in treatment strategies and their outcomes among various institutions.

Method: High-risk endometrial cancer cases (2000-2012) with corresponding clinicopathologic data were collected from 7 academic cancer centers.

Canadian high risk endometrial cancer (CHREC) consortium: analyzing the clinical behavior of high risk endometrial cancers.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyze the clinical behavior of endometrial carcinomas by high risk(HR) histotype, including stage, overall survival, recurrence free survival and patterns of failure.

Methods: This is a retrospective multi-institutional cohort study performed at 7 tertiary care centers across Canada between 2000 and 2012 and included: grade 3 endometrioid (EC3), endometrial serous cancer (ESC), clear cell carcinomas (CCC) and carcinosarcoma (CS). Clinicopathological and outcome data was collected.

Are patients with inflammatory bowel disease on chronic immunosuppressive therapy at increased risk of cervical high-grade dysplasia/cancer? A meta-analysis.

Background: Immunosuppression is a mainstay of therapy for both induction and maintenance of remission for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Women who are chronically immunosuppressed have been shown to be at higher risk of developing cervical high-grade dysplasia and/or carcinoma. There is contradictory data whether immunosuppressed patients with IBD have the same risk profile for cervical cancer as patients with solid organ transplant or HIV infection.