ARTISTRY-7: phase III trial of nemvaleukin alfa plus pembrolizumab vs chemotherapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.

Standard single-agent nonplatinum chemotherapy provides only modest benefit in a small proportion of patients with platinum-resistant/-refractory ovarian cancer, with objective response rates of 6-20% and progression-free survival of ≈3-4 months. Nemvaleukin alfa (nemvaleukin, ALKS 4230) is a novel cytokine designed to capture and expand the therapeutic potential of high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) while mitigating its associated toxicity issues. Nemvaleukin preferentially activates cytotoxic CD8 T cells and natural killer cells with minimal, non-dose-dependent effects on CD4 regulatory T cells.

Concurrent anal human papillomavirus and abnormal anal cytology in women with known cervical dysplasia.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between anal human papillomavirus (HPV) and dysplasia in women with HPV+-related cervical abnormalities.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed on patients referred to the dysplasia clinic for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance with HPV, atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Exclusion criteria include age younger than 21 years, pregnancy, atypical glandular cells on cytology, or prior total hysterectomy.

Prognostic factors for stage III epithelial ovarian cancer treated with intraperitoneal chemotherapy: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Objectives: To determine prognostic factors for survival in ovarian cancer patients treated with intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy using ancillary data from cooperative group clinical trials.

Methods: Data were collected from 428 patients with stage III ovarian cancer who underwent optimal surgical cytoreduction (<1 cm) followed by IP paclitaxel/platinum chemotherapy. Primary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Tubal ligation frequency in Oklahoma women with cervical cancer.

Objective: Infrequent Pap screening is an important risk factor for cervical cancer. We studied the association between contraceptive methods, screening frequency, and cancer.

Methods: Women (n=2004) enrolled in the cross-sectional Study to Understand Cervical Cancer Endpoints and Determinants (SUCCEED) underwent colposcopy to evaluate an abnormal Pap test.

Vulvar cancer in young women: demographic features and outcome evaluation.

Objective: The objective of the study was to identify prognostic and environmental factors associated with vulvar carcinoma in young women.

Study Design: This study was a review of patients younger than 45 years who were diagnosed with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma between 1994 and 2006.

Results: Fifty-six patients were identified.

Stage IVB endometrial cancer: does applying an ovarian cancer treatment paradigm result in similar outcomes? A case-control analysis.

Objective: The pattern of metastasis for Stage IV endometrial carcinoma (EC) is similar to that for ovarian carcinoma (OC), hence the goal of surgical management for both diseases is optimal cytoreduction (CRS) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. The objective of this study is to evaluate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced EC compared to a cohort of patients with OC matched for age and residual disease.

Methods: Patients with Stage IVB EC treated with curative intent between the years of 1990-2006 were identified and data abstracted regarding demographics, surgical procedures, pathologic factors, and follow-up.

Cervical dysplasia among women over 35 years of age.

Objective: The objective of the study was to review the cytologic and histopathologic features among women 35 years of age or older with cervical dysplasia.

Study Design: Patients presenting between 2001 and 2005 were included. Patients were labeled as pre- (PRE) or postmenopausal (POST) based on age younger than or 50 years old or older.

Human tumor antigens Tn and sialyl Tn arise from mutations in Cosmc.

Neoplastic lesions typically express specific carbohydrate antigens on glycolipids, mucins, and other glycoproteins. Such antigens are often under epigenetic control and are subject to reversion and loss upon therapeutic selective pressure. We report here that two of the most common tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens, Tn and sialyl Tn (STn), result from somatic mutations in the gene Cosmc that encodes a molecular chaperone required for formation of the active T-synthase.

Adolescent cervical dysplasia: histologic evaluation, treatment, and outcomes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate histologic findings and outcomes among adolescents with cervical dysplasia.

Study Design: Patient charts (2001-2005) were reviewed. Prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades 2 and 3 and progression and regression were recorded.

Pathologic findings and outcomes for octogenarians presenting with uterine malignancy.

Objective: We evaluated prognostic, demographic and outcome data for patients>80 years old with uterine cancer (UC).

Methods: A retrospective review of clinical records was performed. Categorical data were compared using Fisher's exact test and Kaplan-Meier for survival data.

A LEEP cervical conization is rarely indicated for a two-step discrepancy.

Objectives: The current indications for conization of the cervix include a 2-step discrepancy between cervical cytological and histological findings. We sought to determine the utility of a loop electrocautery excision procedure (LEEP) cone for a 2-step discrepancy.

Methods: A retrospective institutional review board-approved chart review was performed on all women recommended to undergo a LEEP secondary to a discrepancy between a referral high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cytological finding and a subsequent colposcopic biopsy result revealing either normal or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 histological finding; CIN 2 was excluded from the study.

Gynecologic Oncology Group risk groups for vulvar carcinoma: improvement in survival in the modern era.

Objective: Patients with vulvar cancer were stratified into risk groups for survival based on surgicopathologic findings from a prospective study conducted by the Gynecologic Oncology Group from 1977-1984. The purpose of this study is to reassess these risk groups in patients treated in an era of contemporary management.

Methods: Patients with vulvar carcinoma were identified from 1990-2005 for retrospective analysis.

Well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the uterine serosa identified at cesarean section: a case report.

Background: Peritoneal mesotheliomas encompass a variety of benign and malignant neoplasms. Well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma (WDPM) is uncommon, is thought to be of low malignant potential and is often discovered incidentally during abdominal or pelvic surgery. We describe a highly unusual case in which WDPM arising from the uterine serosa was identified at the time of cesarean delivery.

Postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean delivery: an analysis of risk factors.

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) associated with cesarean delivery.

Methods: Blood loss at cesarean delivery was measured and defined as 1,000 to 1,499 mL or greater than 1,500 mL and/or the need for a blood transfusion. Variables were identified and evaluated to determine the factors associated with PPH.

Third stage of labor.

All staff involved in obstetric care should be competent in performing active management of the third stage of labor. Active management has been shown to be clearly superior to physiologic or expectant management. Comparison of the various uterotonic agents has pointed to misoprostol as a potential first-line agent in treating obstetric hemorrhage.

The length of the third stage of labor and the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

Objective: To estimate whether the length of the third stage of labor is correlated with postpartum hemorrhage.

Methods: In this prospective observational study women delivering vaginally in a tertiary obstetric hospital were assessed for postpartum hemorrhage. All women were actively managed with the administration of oxytocin upon delivery of the anterior shoulder.

Dye-determined amniotic fluid volume and intrapartum/neonatal outcome.

Objective: To ascertain if a dye-determined amniotic fluid volume was predictive of intrapartum and perinatal outcome.

Materials And Methods: The low and normal amniotic fluid volumes (< 5th percentile and > or =5th percentile for gestational age) and the raw dye-determined amniotic fluid distributions were correlated with 10 clinical outcome measures in 74 pregnancies.

Results: In this observational study, median gestational age at delivery was 36 weeks (range 26 to 41) and 16 deliveries were for fetal distress (14 Cesarean and two forceps).