TWIST1 induces expression of discoidin domain receptor 2 to promote ovarian cancer metastasis.

The mesenchymal gene program has been shown to promote the metastatic progression of ovarian cancer; however, specific proteins induced by this program that lead to these metastatic behaviors have not been identified. Using patient derived tumor cells and established human ovarian tumor cell lines, we find that the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition inducing factor TWIST1 drives expression of discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) that recognizes fibrillar collagen as ligand. The expression and action of DDR2 was critical for mesothelial cell clearance, invasion and migration in ovarian tumor cells.

Benefit of combination chemotherapy and radiation stratified by grade of stage IIIC endometrial cancer.

Objective: The optimal strategy for adjuvant therapy in stage IIIC endometrial cancer has not been determined. Our aim was to evaluate survival benefit of different treatments and to investigate if benefit varied by histologic grade.

Methods: We identified 199 patients with stage IIIC endometrial cancer from 2000 to 2012 through the Siteman Cancer Center registry.

The effect of a multidisciplinary palliative care initiative on end of life care in gynecologic oncology patients.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of palliative care (PC) consultation on hospice enrollment and end-of-life care in gynecologic oncology patients.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of gynecologic oncology patients who died 1year before and after 2014 implementation of a PC initiative for patients at a single NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Patient demographics, admission and procedural history, anti-cancer therapy, and end-of- life care were collected retrospectively.

Endometrial adenosarcoma in the setting of a germline mutation: A case report.

• mutations play a significant role in gynecologic malignancy.• may be involved in the sarcomagenesis of endometrial adenosarcoma.•The knowledge of a genetic mutation can help clarify a patient's medical history.

AXL modulates extracellular matrix protein expression and is essential for invasion and metastasis in endometrial cancer.

The receptor tyrosine kinase AXL promotes migration, invasion, and metastasis. Here, we evaluated the role of AXL in endometrial cancer. High immunohistochemical expression of AXL was found in 76% (63/83) of advanced-stage, and 77% (82/107) of high-grade specimens and correlated with worse survival in uterine serous cancer patients.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival of patients with gynecologic malignancies metastatic to the brain.

Objective: No standardized treatment strategies exist for patients with gynecologic malignancies complicated by brain metastases. Identification of poor outcome characteristics, long-term survival indicators, and molecular markers could help individualize and optimize treatment.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 100 gynecologic cancer patients with brain metastases treated at our institution between January 1990 and June 2009.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of sentinel lymph node biopsy in the treatment of early-stage vulvar cancer.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the costs and outcomes of inguinal-femoral lymph node dissection (IF-LND) versus sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for the management of early-stage vulvar cancer.

Methods: A cost-effectiveness model compared 2 different strategies for the management of early-stage vulvar cancer: (1) vulvectomy and SLNB and (2) vulvectomy and IF-LND. Probabilities of inguinal-femoral node metastases and recurrence rates associated with each strategy were estimated from published data.

Tertiary prevention of cervical cancer.

Human pappilomavirus (HPV) has been recognized as the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world and over 100 different HPV types have been identified. Persistent HPV infection has been closely linked to the development of invasive cervical cancer. Although surgical and ablative therapies have been the mainstay of treatment, vaccination against the main oncogenic type of HPV is a reasonable preventive strategy for HPV-induced cervical cancer.