Effectiveness of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Infusion Within 48 Hours of Hospitalization With SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic a worldwide emergency. Worldwide there have been 170 million cases of the resulting disease coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), of those, 3.53 million have resulted in death.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1b/2 study of ralimetinib, a p38 MAPK inhibitor, plus gemcitabine and carboplatin versus gemcitabine and carboplatin for women with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.

Objective: This phase 1b/2 clinical trial (NCT01663857) evaluated the efficacy of ralimetinib in combination with gemcitabine (G) and carboplatin (C), followed by maintenance ralimetinib, for patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer.

Methods: Phase 1b was to determine the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of ralimetinib administered Q12H on Days 1-10 (q21d) in combination with G (1000 mg/m, Days 3 and 10) and C (AUC 4, Day 3) for six cycles. In phase 2, patients were randomized double-blind 1:1 to ralimetinib (R)+GC or placebo (P)+GC, for six cycles, followed by ralimetinib 300 mg Q12H or placebo on Days 1-14, q28d.

Evaluation of a Streamlined Oncologist-Led BRCA Mutation Testing and Counseling Model for Patients With Ovarian Cancer.

Purpose There is a growing demand for BRCA1/ 2 mutation ( BRCAm) testing in patients with ovarian cancer; however, the limited number of genetic counselors presents a potential barrier. To facilitate more widespread BRCAm testing in ovarian cancer, pretest counseling by the oncology team could shorten testing turnaround times and ease the pressure on genetic counselors. Patients and Methods The prospective, observational Evaluating a Streamlined Onco-genetic BRCA Testing and Counseling Model Among Patients With Ovarian Cancer (ENGAGE) study evaluated a streamlined, oncologist-led BRCAm testing pathway.

Breast Cancer Screening, Mammography, and Other Modalities.

This article is an overview of the modalities available for breast cancer screening. The modalities discussed include digital mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, breast ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical breast examination. There is a review of pertinent randomized controlled trials, studies and meta-analyses which contributed to the evolution of screening guidelines.

In vitro chemoresponse in metachronous pairs of ovarian cancers.

Background/aim: An in vitro chemoresponse assay may aid effective therapy selection in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). This study explores changes in chemoresponse between paired primary and recurrent EOC tumors.

Patients And Methods: RESULTS from metachronous tumors were examined in 242 patients.

In vitro chemoresponse in metachronous pairs of gyneclologic cancers.

Background: While most gynecologic cancers respond to first-line cytotoxic chemotherapy, treatment of recurrent disease is frequently associated with acquired drug resistance. In order to find an in vitro surrogate of this clinical phenomenon, a tumor chemoresponse assay was studied.

Methods/materials: Patients who had tissue submitted for repeated chemoresponse testing were identified through a retrospective search.

Phase II evaluation of dasatinib in the treatment of recurrent or persistent epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Objectives: Preclinical data suggest an important role for the sarcoma proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (SRC) in the oncogenesis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) or primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC). The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) conducted a Phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dasatinib, an oral SRC-family inhibitor in EOC/PPC, and explored biomarkers for possible association with clinical outcome.

Methods: Eligible women had measurable, recurrent or persistent EOC/PPC and had received one or two prior regimens which must have contained a platinum and a taxane.

Common variants at 12p11, 12q24, 9p21, 9q31.2 and in ZNF365 are associated with breast cancer risk for BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Introduction: Several common alleles have been shown to be associated with breast and/or ovarian cancer risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Recent genome-wide association studies of breast cancer have identified eight additional breast cancer susceptibility loci: rs1011970 (9p21, CDKN2A/B), rs10995190 (ZNF365), rs704010 (ZMIZ1), rs2380205 (10p15), rs614367 (11q13), rs1292011 (12q24), rs10771399 (12p11 near PTHLH) and rs865686 (9q31.2).

Phase II trial of trastuzumab in women with advanced or recurrent, HER2-positive endometrial carcinoma: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Purpose: This study evaluated efficacy of single-agent trastuzumab against advanced or recurrent HER2-positive endometrial carcinoma (EC), and explored predictors for HER2 amplification.

Patients And Methods: Eligible patients had measurable stage III, IV, or recurrent EC. There was no limit on prior therapy although total prior doxorubicin dose was limited to 320 mg/m(2).

A Phase II evaluation of weekly topotecan as a single agent second line therapy in persistent or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Purpose: To estimate antitumor activity and toxicity of weekly topotecan hydrochloride in patients with persistent or recurrent cervical carcinoma who failed prior treatment.

Patients And Methods: Women entered on study had or failed one prior chemotherapy regimen in addition to radiosensitizing chemotherapy, performance status less than 3, and adequate hematologic, renal, hepatic, and neurological function. Topotecan was infused at 3.

Thyroid cancer in pregnancy.

We report a case of papillary thyroid cancer in pregnancy and discuss the various diagnostic and therapeutic challenges inherent to this condition. Several case series are reviewed. In addition, we examine the effect of pregnancy on the development and progression of thyroid malignancy.

Subcutaneous management of vertical incisions with 3 or more centimeters of subcutaneous fat.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the most appropriate management of the subcutaneous tissue of midline vertical incisions with 3 cm or more of subcutaneous fat.

Study Design: Patients undergoing surgery within the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at University of South Florida and East Tennessee State University with 3 cm or more of subcutaneous fat were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: suture approximation of Camper's fascia, closed suction drainage of the subcutaneous space, or no intervention as a control group. Participants were evaluated daily during postoperative hospitalization and at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively as an outpatient.

Role of imaging in pretreatment evaluation of early invasive cervical cancer: results of the intergroup study American College of Radiology Imaging Network 6651-Gynecologic Oncology Group 183.

Purpose: To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) with each other and to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) clinical staging in the pretreatment evaluation of early invasive cervical cancer, using surgicopathologic findings as the reference standard.

Patients And Methods: This prospective multicenter clinical study was conducted by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network and the Gynecologic Oncology Group from March 2000 to November 2002; 25 United States health centers enrolled 208 consecutive patients with biopsy-confirmed cervical cancer of FIGO stage > or = IB who were scheduled for surgery based on clinical assessment. Patients underwent FIGO clinical staging, helical CT, and MRI.

Hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer risk in California.

Numerous studies have documented increased breast cancer risks with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), but these do not give a woman her specific absolute risk for the remainder of her life. This article estimates the magnitude of the effect of HRT on breast cancer incidence in California and calculates a woman's cumulative risk of breast cancer with different formulations and durations of HRT use. The effects of HRT on the underlying breast cancer incidence were estimated using the attributable fraction method, applying HRT prevalence data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey and published rates of higher relative risk (RR) from HRT use from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study and Million Women's Survey (MWS).

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations account for a large proportion of ovarian carcinoma cases.

Background: It is believed that BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations account for the majority of hereditary ovarian carcinomas; however, to the authors' knowledge, there are scant data on the prevalence and spectrum of mutations, genotype/phenotype correlations, tumor histology, and family history characteristics. To address this gap, the authors conducted a population-based study of 232 incident epithelial ovarian carcinomas in the Tampa Bay area.

Methods: Genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes was performed through full sequencing and BRCA1 rearrangement testing.

Utilization of diagnostic studies in the pretreatment evaluation of invasive cervical cancer in the United States: results of intergroup protocol ACRIN 6651/GOG 183.

Purpose: To review the current utilization of diagnostic tests prescribed by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) clinical staging guidelines in the pretreatment work-up of invasive cervical cancer, and to compare the data with those of previous patterns of care studies.

Patients And Methods: This interdisciplinary American College of Radiology Imaging Network/Gynecologic Oncology Group prospective clinical trial was conducted between March 1, 2000, and November 11, 2002. Twenty-five participating institutions, all from the United States, enrolled a total of 208 patients.

Clinical results and quality of life analysis for the MVAC combination (methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin) in carcinoma of the uterine cervix: A Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

Objectives: The Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) compared methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) with topotecan and cisplatin (TC) or cisplatin alone (C) in advanced cervical cancer. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), with response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and quality of life (QOL) as secondary objectives.

Methods: Eligible patients were randomly allocated to receive either cisplatin 50 mg/m2 q 3 weeks (C) or cisplatin 50 mg/m2 day 1 and topotecan 0.

Sites of bowel resected to achieve optimal ovarian cancer cytoreduction: implications regarding surgical management.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to 1) report on the distribution of bowel segments resected in a population of patients who underwent primary optimal cytoreductive surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer, and 2) discuss implications for surgical management regarding resection of these bowel segments.

Study Design: This was a retrospective study from 1995 to 2003 of 144 ovarian cancer patients who underwent primary optimal cytoreductive operations that included bowel resection.

Results: Bowel segments removed and major complications are presented in tabulated form.

Upper vaginectomy for the treatment of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of upper vaginectomy for the treatment of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN).

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective review. Between August 1, 1985 and April 30, 2004, 105 patients were identified who had undergone upper vaginectomy for VAIN.

Diagnosing pulmonary embolism: experience with spiral CT pulmonary angiography in gynecologic oncology.

Objectives: To review our experience with the diagnosis and prognosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) in gynecologic oncology patients.

Methods: Spiral CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) studies on gynecologic oncology patients were collected from our radiology database from 6/2001 to 6/2003. Patient charts were retrospectively reviewed.

Randomized phase III trial of cisplatin with or without topotecan in carcinoma of the uterine cervix: a Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.

Purpose: On the basis of reported activity of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) or topotecan plus cisplatin in advanced cervix cancer, we undertook a randomized trial comparing these combinations versus cisplatin alone, to determine whether survival is improved with either combination compared with cisplatin alone, and to compare toxicities and quality of life (QOL) among the regimens.

Patients And Methods: Eligible patients were randomly allocated to receive cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks (CPT); cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) day 1 plus topotecan 0.75 mg/m(2) days 1 to 3 every 3 weeks (CT); or methotrexate 30 mg/m(2) days 1, 15, and 22, vinblastine 3 mg/m(2) days 2, 15, and 22, doxorubicin 30 mg/m(2) day 2, and cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) day 2 every 4 weeks (MVAC).