Phase 1b study of safety, tolerability and efficacy of R1507, a monoclonal antibody to IGF-1R in combination with multiple standard oncology regimens in patients with advanced solid malignancies.

Background: R1507 is a human IgG1 Mab that binds to the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and inhibits IGF-1- or IGF-2-mediated anchorage-independent growth of malignant cells. A phase 1b study evaluated the safety, tolerability and efficacy of R1507 in combination with multiple standard oncology regimens.

Methods: R1507 (3, 5, 9, 10 and 16 mg/kg IV, Q2 W or Q3 W) was added to six treatment regimens: gemcitabine + erlotinib (GE); paclitaxel + bevacizumab (PB); carboplatin + etoposide (CE); mFOLFOX6 + bevacizumab (FB); capecitabine + trastuzumab (CT); and sorafenib (S).

Risk factors for anal intraepithelial neoplasia in women with genital dysplasia.

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with anal intraepithelial neoplasia and develop a model for predicting the likelihood of anal intraepithelial neoplasia in heterosexual women.

Methods: A prospective cohort of 327 patients from 2006 to 2011 with a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of genital intraepithelial neoplasia (vulvar, vaginal, or cervical) underwent both anal cytology and anoscopy. Variables significant between those with and without anal intraepithelial neoplasia were identified using logistic regression.

Prevalence of and factors contributing to missing lymph tissue in uterine cancer staging surgery.

Objective: We wished to investigate the prevalence of missing lymph nodes (MLN), factors contributing to MLN, and the effect of MLN on progression free survival (PFS).

Methods: Patients with uterine cancer undergoing abdominal hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy were recruited. All surgeries adhered to the Gynecologic Oncology Group protocol in collecting all the lymph node tissues in paraaortic, common iliac, obturator fossa, and external and internal iliac bilaterally.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina in pregnancy.

Background: Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina is extremely rare. Treatment options in pregnancy are complex owing to the aggressive tumor type and poor prognosis.

Case: We report the case of a gravid woman diagnosed with stage IVB neuroendocrine carcinoma of the vagina at 16 weeks of gestation.

Obesity and perioperative outcomes in endometrial cancer surgery.

Objective: Obesity is a significant risk factor in developing endometrial cancer. As obesity is becoming more endemic, we wish to evaluate the impact of obesity on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing uterine cancer surgery.

Methods: We analyzed our prospective database on patients with endometrial cancer who underwent abdominal hysterectomy and pelvic/aortic lymphadenectomy by one gynecologic oncologist.

Anal intraepithelial neoplasia in women with genital intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of anal intraepithelial neoplasia in heterosexual women with genital intraepithelial neoplasia, and to compare anal cytology with colposcopy for their effectiveness in anal intraepithelial neoplasia screening.

Methods: Women with confirmed intraepithelial neoplasia on the cervix, vagina, or vulva were referred for gynecologic oncology care. All patients underwent anal cytology and high-resolution anoscopy.

The University of Tennessee Teaching Effectiveness Score.

Objectives: We studied medical student evaluation of their Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty defined as Teaching Effectiveness Score (TES). We also evaluated the role of sharing TES to all faculty transparently in enhancing teaching interest among faculty.

Methods: Students evaluated faculty with questions: Which faculty enhanced or least aided your learning and why? The TES was calculated by adding the number of positive comments, subtracting the negative comments, and dividing this total by the amount of students on the rotation.

Deep venous thrombosis in gynecological oncology: incidence and clinical symptoms study.

Objective: Cancer patients have increased risks of leg deep venous thrombosis (DVT). We studied the incidence, risk factors and most predictive symptoms of leg DVT in gynecologic oncology patients.

Study Designs: Gynecologic oncology patients with any leg DVT symptoms were recruited and screened using Doppler sonogram.

Lymph node counts in uterine cancer: a randomized double blind trial.

Objective: Higher number of lymph nodes counts may suggest a more accurate cancer staging. We wish to study whether sending lymph nodes to pathologist in four containers, instead of a single container, yields a higher nodal count.

Methods: Patients with uterine cancer who underwent abdominal hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy were recruited.

Discrepancy of death diagnosis in gynecology oncology.

Objective: The medical records, death certificates, and autopsy reports of patients have important medical, legal, and economic implications. This study evaluated the discrepancy between premortem diagnoses (as documented in the medical record and on death certificates) and postmortem diagnoses in a cohort of gynecological cancer patients.

Methods: The records of all patients with a diagnosis of gynecological cancer who were followed by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Texas Medical Branch and who died between January 1, 1988 and January 1, 2000 were evaluated.