Evaluation of the recently established Dutch nationwide Archipelago of Ovarian Cancer Research biobank.

Fundamental and translational research in ovarian cancer aims to enhance understanding of disease mechanisms and improve treatment and survival outcomes. To support this, we established the Dutch multicenter, interdisciplinary Archipelago of Ovarian Cancer Research (AOCR) infrastructure, which includes a nationwide biobank. In this study, we share our experiences in establishing the infrastructure, offer guidance for similar initiatives, and evaluate the AOCR patient cohort.

STop OVarian CAncer (STOPOVCA) young: Protocol for a multicenter follow-up study to determine the long-term effects of opportunistic salpingectomy on age at menopause.

Background: Opportunistic salpingectomy comprises additional bilateral salpingectomy during abdominal surgery as a prophylactic method to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. However, opportunistic salpingectomy may potentially damage (micro)blood circulation to the ovaries, resulting in earlier onset of menopause.

Primary Objective: To evaluate the long-term effects of opportunistic salpingectomy on the onset of menopause in women who underwent sterilization through salpingectomy compared with a control group who underwent sterilization by tubal ligation or no surgery at all.

EpCAM-Binding DARPins for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy of Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy due to late detection associated with dissemination throughout the abdominal cavity. Targeted photodynamic therapy (tPDT) aimed at epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), overexpressed in over 90% of ovarian cancer metastatic lesions, is a promising novel therapeutic modality. Here, we tested the specificity and activity of conjugates of EpCAM-directed designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) with the photosensitizer IRDye 700DX in in vitro and in vivo ovarian cancer models.

Peptide-mediated delivery of therapeutic mRNA in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy in the developed world. In spite of intensive research, the mortality has hardly decreased over the past twenty years. This necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic modalities.

A Patient With a Low-grade Mucinous Neoplasm Involving the Ovary and Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Originating in an Isolated Intestinal Duplication.

A considerable number of mucinous ovarian tumors are metastatic from other primary tumors, mainly from the gastrointestinal tract, and primary malignant mucinous ovarian tumors are considered rare. Mucinous ovarian tumors occurring within the clinical syndrome of pseudomyxoma peritonei are assumed to almost always originate from the appendix. We describe a patient with a low-grade mucinous tumor involving the ovary in coexistence with pseudomyxoma peritonei, who underwent appendectomy 25 yr earlier.

[Recurrent miscarriage turns out to be lung cancer].

Background: If a positive pregnancy test is followed by profuse vaginal bleeding, the diagnosis of miscarriage can generally be made. Sometimes, however, elevated hCG levels may be associated with a phantom pregnancy, which may be a paraneoplastic symptom.

Case Description: A 27-year-old woman was referred for a diagnosis after having experienced 3 consecutive miscarriages.

Review of the role of the plasminogen activator system and vascular endothelial growth factor in subfertility.

Objective: To assess the importance of the plasminogen activator (PA) system and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in subfertility.

Design: Review.

Setting: Two university IVF centers.

Influence of pesticides on male fertility.

Several studies have shown a decline in human semen quality and increased risks of male subfertility. This paper provides an overview of the mechanisms of pesticide-induced reproductive toxicity and the effects on male fertility since exposure to pesticides may be one of the causes of these disorders. Pesticides may directly damage spermatozoa, alter Sertoli cell or Leydig cell function, or disrupt the endocrine function in any stage of hormonal regulation (hormone synthesis, release, storage, transport, and clearance; receptor recognition and binding; thyroid function; and the central nervous system).

Possible role of the plasminogen activation system in human subfertility.

Objective: To correlate components of the plasminogen activator (PA) system with fertility outcome parameters in participants in an IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedure.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Outpatient clinic for IVF/ICSI treatment at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphism interferes with the effects of folic acid and zinc sulfate on sperm concentration.

Objective: To determine the frequency of C677T methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism in fertile and subfertile males, and the MTHFR-dependent response of sperm concentration after folic acid and/or zinc sulfate intervention.

Design: Double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study. Two outpatient fertility clinics and nine midwifery practices in The Netherlands.