Survival after secondary cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy compared with chemotherapy alone for first recurrence in patients with platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer and no residuals after primary treatment. A registry-based study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether secondary cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy improved survival among patients with recurrent, platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer compared with those who received platinum-based chemotherapy alone, and to identify possible predictors for selection to secondary cytoreductive surgery.

Material And Methods: We included 397 patients who had a primary diagnosis of FIGO stage I-IV epithelial ovarian cancer recorded in the Cancer Registry of Norway between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2012, received primary surgery with no residuals followed by platinum-based chemotherapy, had first recurrence six or more months after completion of primary platinum-based chemotherapy, and received secondary treatment with either secondary cytoreductive surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy (secondary cytoreductive surgery+platinum-based chemotherapy group) or platinum-based chemotherapy alone (platinum-based chemotherapy group). Outcomes were progression-free survival to second recurrence or death and overall survival.

Safety and efficacy of single-agent bevacizumab-containing therapy in elderly patients with platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer: Subgroup analysis of the randomised phase III AURELIA trial.

Background: The AURELIA trial demonstrated significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) with bevacizumab added to chemotherapy for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC).

Methods: Patients with PROC were randomised to receive investigator-selected single-agent chemotherapy alone or with bevacizumab. Post-hoc exploratory analyses assessed efficacy, safety and patient-reported outcomes according to age <65 versus ≥65years.

Impact of hospital type and treatment on long-term survival among patients with FIGO Stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer: follow-up through two recurrences and three treatment lines in search for predictors for survival.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of hospital type determined at primary treatment and find possible predictors of survival in a cohort of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who recurred twice and received three lines of treatment during eight-year follow-up. Using the Norwegian Cancer Registry, the authors identified 174 women with FIGO Stage IIIC EOC diagnosed in 2002. First-line treatment consisted of up-front debulking surgery and chemotherapy, received in either a teaching hospital (TH, n = 84) or a non-teaching hospital (NTH, n = 90).

Fertility and gonadal function after adjuvant therapy in women diagnosed with a malignant ovarian germ cell tumor (MOGCT) during the "cisplatin era".

Purpose: By self-report and serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) this study aims to assess post-treatment fertility after modern treatment of women with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCT).

Patients And Methods: In 2013 a questionnaire-based survey was performed in 61 MOGCT patients diagnosed at age <40years from 1980-2009. Forty-nine of them also attended the out-patient clinic.

APOA1 mRNA expression in ovarian serous carcinoma effusions is a marker of longer survival.

Objectives: We previously described the overexpression of APOA1 and GPX3 in ovarian/peritoneal serous carcinoma compared with breast carcinoma effusions using gene expression array analysis. The objective of the present study was to validate this finding and to analyze the association between these genes and clinicopathologic parameters, including survival, in advanced-stage ovarian serous carcinoma.

Methods: APOA1 and GPX3 mRNA expression using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was analyzed in 121 effusions (101 ovarian, 20 breast carcinomas) and 85 solid ovarian carcinoma specimens (43 primary carcinomas, 42 metastases).

BUB1 mRNA is significantly co-expressed with AURKA and AURKB mRNA in advanced-stage ovarian serous carcinoma.

The objective of this study was to investigate the expression and clinical role of the spindle checkpoint kinase budding uninhibited by benzimidazole 1 (Bub1) in primary and metastatic advanced-stage ovarian serous carcinoma. BUB1 mRNA expression was analyzed in 178 tumors (88 effusions, 38 primary carcinomas, and 52 solid metastases) from 144 patients with advanced-stage disease using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Bub1 protein expression by Western blotting was studied in 63 carcinomas (30 effusions and 33 solid lesions).

Defining a prognostic marker panel for patients with ovarian serous carcinoma effusion.

Advanced-stage ovarian carcinoma is a highly lethal malignancy, yet no widely accepted prognostic panels exist to date in this disease. The objective of this study was to define such panel for patients with ovarian serous carcinoma effusions. The expression by immunohistochemistry and clinical role of 41 previously studied cancer-associated proteins was analyzed in 143 effusions from patients diagnosed as having advanced-stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages III-IV) ovarian serous carcinoma treated with platinum-based chemotherapy at diagnosis.

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: presentation, survival and second cancer in a population based Norwegian cohort (1953-2009).

Purpose: To quantify and compare survival in women with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs) in Norway before and after the introduction of cisplatin-based chemotherapy (around 1980), and to explore the association between different types of treatment and the development of a second cancer.

Patients And Methods: We identified 351 patients diagnosed with MOGCTs from 1953 to 2009 in the Cancer Registry of Norway. Ovarian cancer-specific survival was calculated separately for patients diagnosed before and after 1980.

Proton magnetic resonance metabolomic characterization of ovarian serous carcinoma effusions: chemotherapy-related effects and comparison with malignant mesothelioma and breast carcinoma.

Malignant serous effusions are a common manifestation of advanced cancer, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify the metabolic differences between ovarian serous carcinoma effusions obtained pre- and post-chemotherapy, as well as to compare ovarian carcinoma (OC) effusions with breast carcinoma and malignant mesothelioma specimens. The supernatants of 115 effusion samples were analyzed by high-resolution magnetic resonance spectroscopy in vitro and multivariate analysis.

Silencing of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase enhances dendritic cell immunogenicity and antitumour immunity in cancer patients.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are being explored as a therapeutic vaccine for cancers. However, their immunogenic potential is limited by the presence of immunosuppressive factors. Among these factors is the tryptophan-degrading enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO).

HOXB8 expression in ovarian serous carcinoma effusions is associated with shorter survival.

Objective: HOX proteins are key transcription factors in embryogenesis. HOXB5 and HOXB8 were previously shown to be overexpressed in ovarian/primary peritoneal serous carcinoma compared to breast carcinoma using gene expression arrays. The present study investigated the clinical role of HOXB5 and HOXB8 in advanced-stage (FIGO III-IV) ovarian serous carcinoma.

Aurora B expression in metastatic effusions from advanced-stage ovarian serous carcinoma is predictive of intrinsic chemotherapy resistance.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression and clinical role of the aurora A and aurora B kinases in primary and metastatic serous ovarian carcinoma. AURKA and AURKB messenger RNA expression was investigated in 178 tumors (88 effusions, 38 primary carcinomas, and 52 solid metastases) from 144 patients with advanced-stage disease using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Aurora A and aurora B protein expression by immunohistochemistry was additionally analyzed in 147 tumors.

Final overall survival results of phase III GCIG CALYPSO trial of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and carboplatin vs paclitaxel and carboplatin in platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer patients.

Background: The CALYPSO phase III trial compared CD (carboplatin-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD)) with CP (carboplatin-paclitaxel) in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC). Overall survival (OS) data are now mature.

Methods: Women with ROC relapsing > 6 months after first- or second-line therapy were randomised to CD or CP for six cycles in this international, open-label, non-inferiority trial.

MGST1 expression in serous ovarian carcinoma differs at various anatomic sites, but is unrelated to chemoresistance or survival.

Objective: To investigate the expression of MGST1 in primary tumors, solid metastases and metastatic effusions in advanced-stage serous ovarian carcinoma (OC) and analyze the association with clinicopathologic parameters, including chemotherapy resistance and survival.

Methods: MGST1 mRNA expression was investigated in 178 tumors (88 effusions, 38 primary carcinomas, 52 solid metastases) from 144 patients using real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Forty-two of the 88 effusions were additionally analyzed for MGST1 protein expression by Western blotting.

First-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer with paclitaxel/carboplatin with or without epirubicin (TEC versus TC)--a gynecologic cancer intergroup study of the NSGO, EORTC GCG and NCIC CTG.

Background: The addition of anthracyclines to platinum-based chemotherapy may provide benefit in survival in ovarian cancer patients. We evaluated the effect on survival of adding epirubicin to standard carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Patients And Methods: We carried out a prospectively randomized phase III study comparing carboplatin plus paclitaxel (TC; area under the curve 5 and 175 mg/m(2)) with the same combination and epirubicin (TEC; 75 mg/m(2) i.

HMGA2 protein expression in ovarian serous carcinoma effusions, primary tumors, and solid metastases.

The objective of this study was to analyze the expression and clinical role of the high mobility group AT hook (HMGA) protein in advanced-stage serous ovarian carcinoma. HMGA2 protein expression was investigated in 199 effusions and in 50 patient-matched primary tumors and solid metastases using immunohistochemistry. Results were analyzed for association with clinicopathologic parameters, including chemotherapy response, and survival.

Borderline ovarian tumours.

Borderline ovarian tumours account for 10-20% of all epithelial ovarian cancer. Historically, standard primary surgery has included borderline ovarian tumours, omentectomy, peritoneal washing and multiple biopsies. As one-third of borderline ovarian tumours are diagnosed in women under the age of 40 years, fertility-sparing treatment has been more frequently used in the past 10 years.

Predicting platinum resistance in primary advanced ovarian cancer patients with an in vitro resistance index.

Purpose: We aimed to identify primary platinum resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer (OC) patients with FIGO stage III-IV disease by an in vitro drug-response assay and to correlate the findings with clinical response. We considered whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy or anatomic sample site and tumor heterogeneity would influence the results.

Methods: We combined the ATP-based tumor-chemosensitivity and the extreme drug resistance assays for testing of 85 biopsies from 58 patients.

SCARA3 mRNA is overexpressed in ovarian carcinoma compared with breast carcinoma effusions.

Scavenger receptor class A, member 3 (SCARA3) was previously found to be overexpressed in ovarian/primary peritoneal carcinoma (OC/PPC) compared with breast carcinoma effusions by global gene expression analysis. The present study aimed to validate this finding applying quantitative PCR and analyzing the association between SCARA3 expression and clinicopathologic parameters in a large OC cohort. SCARA3 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was analyzed in 127 effusions (103 ovarian/peritoneal/fallopian tube carcinomas, 9 breast carcinomas, 15 malignant mesotheliomas [MM]), and 30 solid primary OCs.

Improved 5-year disease-free survival for FIGO stage I epithelial ovarian cancer patients without tumor rupture during surgery.

Objective: To investigate the impact of perioperative capsule rupture on disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with FIGO stage I epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC I).

Methods: This prospective population-based study enrolled all 279 patients with EOC I diagnosed in Norway between 2002 and 2004. All patients underwent primary surgery.

Endoglin (CD105) expression in ovarian serous carcinoma effusions is related to chemotherapy status.

Endoglin (CD105), a cell surface co-receptor for transforming growth factor-β, is expressed in proliferating endothelial cells, as well as in cancer cells. We studied endoglin expression and its clinical relevance in effusions, primary tumors, and solid metastatic lesions from women with advanced-stage ovarian serous carcinoma. Endoglin expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in effusions (n = 211; 174 peritoneal, 37 pleural).

Class III β-tubulin expression in advanced-stage serous ovarian carcinoma effusions is associated with poor survival and primary chemoresistance.

The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical role of nestin, a stem cell marker, and class III β-tubulin in advanced-stage serous ovarian carcinoma. Nestin and class III β-tubulin protein expression were investigated in 217 effusions using immunohistochemistry. Results were analyzed for association with clinicopathologic parameters including chemotherapy response and survival.

miRNA profiling along tumour progression in ovarian carcinoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that exert a regulatory effect post-transcriptionally by binding target mRNAs and inhibiting gene translation. miRNA expression is deregulated in cancer. The aim of this study was to characterize the differences in miRNA expression pattern and the miRNA-regulating machinery between ovarian carcinoma (OC) cells in primary tumours versus effusions.

Diagnosis and treatment of borderline ovarian neoplasms "the state of the art".

The 5-year survival for women with Stage-I borderline tumours (BOT) is favourable, about 95-97%, but the 10-year survival is only between 70 and 95%, caused by late recurrence. The 5-year survival for Stage II-III patients is 65-87%. Standard primary surgery includes bilateral SOEB, omentectomy, peritoneal washing and multiple biopsies.

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in serous borderline ovarian tumors is associated with noninvasive implant formation.

Objective: To investigate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) proteolytic and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and receptor (VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2) angiogenetic capacity in serous borderline ovarian tumors (S-BOTs) for women with and without noninvasive implants.

Methods: The population was made up of 99 patients with S-BOTs as the primary diagnosis between 1985 and 1995, 44 of whom had noninvasive implants and 55 without implants. MMP-2, MMP-14, the type-2 tissue inhibitor of MMPs (TIMP-2), and VEGF and receptors (VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2) were examined by immunhistochemistry.