Phenotype-guided targeted therapy based on functional signal transduction pathway activity in recurrent ovarian cancer patients: The STAPOVER study protocol.

Objective: Ovarian cancer is the fifth cause of cancer-related death among women. The benefit of targeted therapy for ovarian cancer patients is limited even if treatment is stratified by molecular signature. There remains a high unmet need for alternative diagnostics that better predict targeted therapy, as current diagnostics are generally inaccurate predictors.

Gastric cancer during pregnancy: A report on 13 cases and review of the literature with focus on chemotherapy during pregnancy.

Introduction: Gastric cancer during pregnancy is extremely rare and data on optimal treatment and possible chemotherapeutic regimens are scarce. The aim of this study is to describe the obstetric and maternal outcome of women with gastric cancer during pregnancy and review the literature on antenatal chemotherapy for gastric cancer.

Material And Methods: Treatment and outcome of patients registered in the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy database with gastric cancer diagnosed during pregnancy were analyzed.

Human epididymis protein 4 immunostaining of malignant ascites differentiates cancer of Müllerian origin from gastrointestinal cancer.

Background: An accurate diagnosis of cancer of Müllerian origin is required before the initiation of treatment. An overlap in clinical presentation and cytological, histological, or imaging studies with other nongynecological tumors does occur. Therefore, immunocytochemistry markers are used to determine tumor origin.

Melanoma during pregnancy: a report of 60 pregnancies complicated by melanoma.

The management of melanoma during pregnancy is challenging as maternal benefits and fetal risks need to be balanced. Here, we present an overview of the incidence, the demographic and clinical characteristics and the treatment modalities used. After analysis of obstetric, fetal and maternal outcome, recommendations for clinical practice are provided.

A novel diagnostic index combining HE4, CA125 and age may improve triage of women with suspected ovarian cancer - An international multicenter study in women with an ovarian mass.

Aim: To develop and validate a biomarker-based index to optimize referral and diagnosis of patients with suspected ovarian cancer. Furthermore, to compare this new index with the Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) and Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA).

Patients And Methods: A training study, consisting of patients with benign ovarian disease (n=809) and ovarian cancer (n=246), was used to develop the Copenhagen Index (CPH-I) utilizing the variables serum HE4, serum CA125 and patient age.

Primary brain tumours, meningiomas and brain metastases in pregnancy: report on 27 cases and review of literature.

Background: The concurrence of intracranial tumours with pregnancy is rare. The purpose of this study was to describe all reported patients registered in the international Cancer in Pregnancy registration study (CIP study; http://www.cancerinpregnancy.

Long-term outcome of placental site trophoblastic tumor in The Netherlands.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of 16 cases of placental site trophoblastic tumors (PSTTs) treated throughout The Netherlands.

Study Design: Patients with PSTT between 1991 and 2009 were identified using the nationwide network and registry of histopathology and cytopathology in The Netherlands (PALGA) and medical records.

Results: Data for 16 patients could be retrieved.

The functions of microparticles in pre-eclampsia.

Pre-eclampsia (P-EC), a heterogenic multisystem disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, usually develops in the second half of pregnancy. The incidence is 2 to 5%, and P-EC is therefore a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Although the exact etiology is unknown, placental factors released into the maternal circulation lead to systemic maternal inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

Microparticles and exosomes in gynecologic neoplasias.

This review presents an overview of the functions of microparticles and exosomes in gynecologic neoplasias. Growing evidence suggests that vesicles released from cancer cells in gynecologic malignancies contribute to the hypercoagulable state of these patients and contribute to tumor progression by suppressing the immune system, facilitating extracellular matrix degradation and removal of cytostatics from the tumor cell. Exosomes from ovarian carcinoma cells were shown to be present in peripheral blood and to augment tumor growth, suggesting that these vesicles directly support growth of tumor cells.

Leukocyte activation and circulating leukocyte-derived microparticles in preeclampsia.

Problem: Preeclampsia shows characteristics of an inflammatory disease including leukocyte activation. Analyses of leukocyte-derived microparticles (MP) and mRNA expression of inflammation-related genes in leukocytes may establish which subgroups of leukocytes contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

Method Of Study: Blood samples were obtained from preeclamptic patients, normotensive pregnant and non-pregnant controls.

Microparticles and exosomes: impact on normal and complicated pregnancy.

Eukaryotic cells release vesicles into their environment by membrane shedding (ectosomes or microparticles) and secretion (exosomes). Microparticles and exosomes occur commonly in vitro and in vivo. The occurrence, composition and function(s) of these vesicles change during disease (progression).

Nifedipine pharmacokinetics and plasma levels in the management of preterm labor.

The aim of this study was to determine if the dose regimen of nifedipine used for tocolysis was effective to achieve uterine quietness, and at which plasma concentration levels this tocolysis was achieved to optimize our dose regimen of nifedipine. In women with preterm labor, nifedipine was administered orally to achieve uterine quietness to prevent preterm birth. Patients (n = 5) were administered 10 mg nifedipine capsules (Adalat capsules, Bayer AG) orally every 15 minutes up to 40 mg in the first hour, and were subsequently given 1 tablet of 20 mg nifedipine slow release (Adalat retard, Bayer AG) t = 90 min.

Treatment and prognosis of post term choriocarcinoma in The Netherlands.

Introduction: Antecedent term pregnancy is an adverse prognostic factor in Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD). In The Netherlands, patients with post term choriocarcinoma are considered high-risk independent of WHO score. In the present study, we assessed whether post term choriocarcinoma always has to be considered high-risk, requiring first line treatment with combination chemotherapy, or whether a subgroup of patients is distinguishable in which single-agent Methotrexate is a safe alternative.

Expression of inflammation-related genes in endothelial cells is not directly affected by microparticles from preeclamptic patients.

Background: Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are prominent in preeclampsia. Microparticles (MPs) may link these processes, as MPs induce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by endothelial cells and cause endothelial dysfunction.

Aim: To study changes in expression of inflammation-related genes in human endothelial cells in response to MPs from preeclamptic patients.

Feasibility of central co-ordinated EMA/CO for gestational trophoblastic disease in the Netherlands.

Objective: In the Netherlands, high risk gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) patients are treated in different referral hospitals with a national working party on trophoblastic tumours having a co-ordinating function. Our purpose was to evaluate whether this policy is a satisfactory alternative to complete centralisation.

Design: A retrospective study of all etoposide, methotrexate, actomycin D, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (EMA/CO)-treated women in the Netherlands between 1986 and 1997.