L1 Retrotransposon Heterogeneity in Ovarian Tumor Cell Evolution.

LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposons are a source of insertional mutagenesis in tumor cells. However, the clinical significance of L1 mobilization during tumorigenesis remains unclear. Here, we applied retrotransposon capture sequencing (RC-seq) to multiple single-cell clones isolated from five ovarian cancer cell lines and HeLa cells and detected endogenous L1 retrotransposition in vitro.

The shift toward neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery for management of advanced ovarian and related cancers in a population-based setting: Impact on clinical outcomes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of patients with advanced ovarian and related cancers (EOC+RC), treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery (NACT - IDS), and to determine if there was any relationship with optimal cytoreduction rates and overall survival (OS) in a state-wide gynaecologic oncology service over time.

Methods: A retrospective review was undertaken using a population-based database of patients with stages 3 and 4 EOC+RC treated from 1982 till 2013 at the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer (QCGC). The proportion of patients treated with NACT - IDS compared with primary debulking surgery (PDS) was determined and compared with debulking rates and with the moving five-year OS probability.

Cell line and patient-derived xenograft models reveal elevated CDCP1 as a target in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Background: Development of targeted therapies for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) remains challenging, as contributing molecular pathways are poorly defined or expressed heterogeneously. CUB-domain containing protein 1 (CDCP1) is a cell-surface protein elevated in lung, colorectal, pancreas, renal and clear cell ovarian cancer.

Methods: CUB-domain containing protein 1 was examined by immunohistochemistry in HGSC and fallopian tube.

Surgical management of abnormally invasive placenta: a retrospective cohort study demonstrating the benefits of a standardized operative approach.

Introduction: Abnormally invasive placenta is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a standardized operative approach performed by gynecological oncologists in the surgical management of abnormally invasive placenta.

Materials And Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all cases of morbid placental adherence managed at the Mater Mothers' Hospitals, Brisbane, Australia between January 2000 and June 2013.

Elevated CDCP1 predicts poor patient outcome and mediates ovarian clear cell carcinoma by promoting tumor spheroid formation, cell migration and chemoresistance.

Hematogenous metastases are rarely present at diagnosis of ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCC). Instead dissemination of these tumors is characteristically via direct extension of the primary tumor into nearby organs and the spread of exfoliated tumor cells throughout the peritoneum, initially via the peritoneal fluid, and later via ascites that accumulates as a result of disruption of the lymphatic system. The molecular mechanisms orchestrating these processes are uncertain.

Quality of life after early enteral feeding versus standard care for proven or suspected advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: Results from a randomised trial.

Background: Malnutrition is common in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and is associated with impaired quality of life (QoL), longer hospital stay and higher risk of treatment-related adverse events. This phase III multi-centre randomised clinical trial tested early enteral feeding versus standard care on postoperative QoL.

Methods: From 2009 to 2013, 109 patients requiring surgery for suspected advanced EOC, moderately to severely malnourished were enrolled at five sites across Queensland and randomised to intervention (n=53) or control (n=56) groups.

Consideration for safe and effective gynaecological laparoscopy in the obese patient.

Background: The number of obese and morbidly obese patients within the developed world is dramatically increasing within the last 20 years. Apart from demographical changes, obese patients are especially prone to have oestrogen-dependent morbidities and neoplasias, of which laparoscopic treatment should be the standard of care. The increasing number of patients with BMI >40 is concerning, making it necessary to summarise considerations for safe and effective Gynaecological Laparoscopic Surgery.

EGF inhibits constitutive internalization and palmitoylation-dependent degradation of membrane-spanning procancer CDCP1 promoting its availability on the cell surface.

Many cancers are dependent on inappropriate activation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and drugs targeting this receptor can improve patient survival, although benefits are generally short-lived. We reveal a novel mechanism linking EGFR and the membrane-spanning, cancer-promoting protein CDCP1 (CUB domain-containing protein 1). Under basal conditions, cell surface CDCP1 constitutively internalizes and undergoes palmitoylation-dependent degradation by a mechanism in which it is palmitoylated in at least one of its four cytoplasmic cysteines.

Dietary folate and related micronutrients, folate-metabolising genes, and ovarian cancer survival.

Objective: Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and methylation and is implicated in tumour progression. Few studies have examined its role in ovarian cancer survival. Our objective was to determine relationships between intake of folate, related one-carbon nutrients, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in folate-metabolising genes and survival following ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva: a comparison between women 35 years or younger and 90 years or older.

Objective: This study aimed to compare clinical features, diagnosis, management, and outcomes between women 35 years or younger and 90 years or older with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma referred to Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer between 1983 and 2010.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-seven case records, including pathology reports for these 2 groups were reviewed and analyzed using the computer software SPSS 11.0.

Validation of the FIGO 2009 staging system for carcinoma of the vulva.

Background: The previous (1988) International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) vulval cancer staging system failed in 3 important areas: (1) stage 1 and 2 disease showed similar survival; (2) stage 3 represented a most heterogeneous group of patients with a wide survival range; and (3) the number and morphology of positive nodes were not taken into account.

Objective: To compare the 1988 FIGO vulval carcinoma staging system with that of 2009 with regard to stage migration and prognostication.

Methods: Information on all patients treated for vulval cancer at the Queensland Centre for Gynecological Cancers, Australia, between 1988 to the present was obtained.

Nomograms to predict isolated loco-regional or distant recurrence among women with uterine cancer.

Objective: While there is ample literature on prognostic factors for uterine cancer, currently there are nomeans to estimate an individual's risk for recurrence or to differentiate the risk of loco-regional recurrence from distant recurrence. We addressed this gap by developing nomograms to individualize the risk of recurrence.

Methods: A total of 2097 consecutive patients who underwent primary surgery between 1997 and 2007 were included.

Paget's disease of the vulva: Diagnosis and follow-up key to management; a retrospective study of 50 cases from Queensland.

Objective: To review the clinical features, diagnosis, management, and outcomes for the 50 cases of Paget's disease (PD) of the vulva referred to Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer between 1986 and 2009.

Methods: Vulvar PD cases from QCGC were reviewed and analyzed using the computer software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 11.0.

Evaluation of tumor-free distance and depth of myometrial invasion as prognostic factors for lymph node metastases in endometrial cancer.

Introduction: Concurrent uterine lesions or an irregular endomyometrial junction can make accurate assessment of depth of myometrial invasion (DOI) and percentage of myometrial invasion (%MI) difficult, leading to patients being staged and or treated suboptimally. An alternative measurement, known as the tumor-free distance (TFD), which measures the distance between maximal myometrial invasion and the uterine serosa, has been proposed. Previous studies comparing the predictive abilities of DOI and TFD were underpowered and inconclusive.

Advanced cytoreductive surgery: Asia Pacific perspective.

The thoroughness of cytoreductive surgery is the largest contributor to survival for patients with advanced ovarian and primary peritoneal carcinoma. For many years the surgery undertaken by Gynaecologic Oncologists has been tailored to match their surgical training. Future surgical training of Gynaecologic Oncologists needs to be tailored to the surgery required to provide complete tumour removal to no residual disease.

Disease-free survival after vaginal vault brachytherapy versus observation for patients with node-negative intermediate-risk endometrial adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: To compare the disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with surgical stage 1, intermediate-risk endometrial adenocarcinoma (EAC) treated with primary surgery with or without adjuvant vaginal vault brachytherapy (VVBT).

Patients And Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 575 patients with stage 1B, 1C or 2A endometrial cancer who had surgery between 1990 and 2004. All patients were surgically staged and 259 patients received postoperative VVBT.

Pap smear screening history of women with squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

Background: Since the introduction of the Pap smear screening, the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has decreased significantly, but the incidence of adenocarcinoma (AC) relative to SCC has increased.

Aim: To compare the Pap smear history of patients with AC and SCC of the cervix.

Methods: Patients for the study were identified from the database of Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer.

Efficacy of routine follow-up in patients with recurrent uterine cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of routine follow-up in patients with recurrent uterine cancer.

Methods: In a single institution study, a total of 2637 patients were treated curatively for uterine cancer from 1990 to 2006. A total of 438 patients experienced disease recurrence.

Randomized trial of skin closure after laparotomy for gynaecological surgery.

Background: New suture materials may provide patients with a better cosmetic outcome at similar pain and wound complication rate.

Methods: To assess pain and cosmetic outcome among patients randomized to receive wound closure after laparotomy for gynaecological surgery using staples, polyglecaprone 25 or polyglecaprone 6211 subcuticular sutures.

Results: Overall, 90 patients (87.

Prognostic importance of preoperative CA-125 in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I epithelial ovarian cancer: an Australian multicenter study.

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic significance of preoperative CA-125 levels on overall survival of patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Patients And Methods: Data from 518 patients with FIGO stage I EOC treated in seven gynecologic oncology centers throughout Australia between 1990 and 2002 were analyzed. Patients with borderline tumors and nonepithelial ovarian carcinomas were excluded, as were women in whom CA-125 had not been determined preoperatively.

The functional assessment of cancer-vulvar: reliability and validity.

Objectives: To assess the reliability and validity of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Vulvar (FACT-V).

Methods: Seventy-seven patients treated between January 1996 and January 2001 for cancer of the vulva completed the FACT-V, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status Rating (ECOG-PSR) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) once, 20 consecutive patients treated between February 2001 and October 2001 completed the questionnaires twice, once before surgery and at 2 months follow-up. The FACT-V scores were compared by patients' performance status, FIGO stage, recurrence, and age, and correlated to the HADS scores.

Patterns of recurrence and disease-free survival in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

Objective: To compare patterns of recurrence and disease-free survival (DFS) of node-positive and node-negative patients with advanced vulval squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: Fifty-five patients with FIGO stage III/IVA vulval SCC who had surgery at the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer from 1989 to 1999 were included. Patients were grouped as follows: Group A, pT3 N0; Group B, pT3 N1; Group C, pT4 N2.

The management of pre-invasive stage of cervical disease in a low-resource setting.

Cervical cancer is one of the commonest cancers in women. It is also the most preventable cancer. Numerous population based studies have shown that the development of a population based screening program can significantly reduce the incidence of and death rate from cervical cancer.