GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS

In mid-December of 2014, the FDA approved the BRACAnalysis CDx diagnostic test to accompany the use of Lynparza (olaparib) in advanced ovarian cancer.

In a single-institution randomized prospective controlled trial of women with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, 52.6% of patients in the PDS study arm had major complications with an MSKCC score of 3 or greater.

The angiogenesis inhibitor cediranib demonstrated acceptable activity and a tolerable safety profile as a monotherapy for patients with recurrent or persistent endometrial cancer.

Krishnansu S. Tewari, MD, FACOG, FACS, discusses a trial looking at the impact of CTCs on overall survival among patients treated with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab for advanced cervical cancer.

The addition fosbretabulin tromethamine to bevacizumab lowered the risk of progression by 31.5% but doubled the rate of hypertension compared with bevacizumab alone in pretreated patients with recurrent ovarian cancer enrolled in the phase II GOG186i study.

Circulating tumor cells have previously been reported to be prognostic in other solid tumors: can they become a prognostic biomarker in cervical cancer?

A triage algorithm may identify patients with presumed advanced ovarian cancer who represent preoperatively defined candidates for diagnostic laparoscopy.

Barbara Ann Goff, MD, discusses an analysis looking at the care of ovarian cancer.

Two newly reported studies are providing more insight into the efficacy and safety profile of the PARP inhibitor olaparib in ovarian cancer.

Bradley J. Monk, MD, FACOG, FACS, on bevacizumab in combination with the vascular disrupting agent fosbretabulin for the treatment of patients with recurrent ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal carcinoma.

The addition of bevacizumab to a doublet chemotherapy regimen extended OS by nearly 5 months compared with standard chemotherapy alone in women with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancers.

A 2:1 open-label phase II trial of the FANG vaccine achieved a marked delay in time to progression, in all 14 of 21 patients with stage III/IV ovarian cancer who participated. The other 7 patients did not receive the vaccine.

Robert L. Coleman, MD, FACOG, FACS, professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the results and key takeaways from GOG0213.

Cancer proliferates when a rogue, transformed cell wins a sophisticated hide-and-seek game against the immune system. Immunotherapy activates the patient’s immune system to recognize and fight the tumor cells.

Recent advancements in the treatment of ovarian cancer have led the National Comprehensive Cancer Network to make changes to their clinical practice guidelines in its 20th annual edition.

Novel antitumor agents are currently being evaluated in clinical trials for use in various gynecological cancers.

Growth in healthcare spending in the United States continues to outpace growth in European countries that enjoy a similar standard of living.

Jason D. Wright, MD, from Columbia University, discusses clinical trial designs in ovarian cancer.

The search for gynecologic cancer biomarkers that are prognostic or predictive of patient responses to treatment is an active and fruitful area of investigation.

Only about 5% of patients with cancer are recruited into oncology clinical trials, raising a concern that unless this improves, progress in the development new treatments for cancer may be delayed.

Response rates to standard platinum-based chemotherapy among patients with the clear cell subtype of ovarian cancer are especially low, necessitating new treatment targets.

To gain insight into the integration of olaparib (Lynparza) into clinical practice, Targeted Oncology interviewed Ursula A. Matulonis, MD, medical director of gynecologic oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Novartis Oncology hopes to overcome many of these challenges with the innovative Signature Clinical Trial program, which “bring[s] the ‘Protocol to the Patient.

An orphan drug designation has been granted to Reolysin (wild-type reovirus) for the treatment of patients with ovarian cancer.

Screening techniques for use in the general population have long been available for cervical cancer and are being actively developed for ovarian cancers.

A panel of expert clinical investigators discussed details of several treatments and a dozen patient cases involving gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer at a satellite meeting of the 2015 ASCO GI Cancers Symposium.

Targeted agents have become available in recent years to treat many major cancers, but for women with ovarian cancer, standard treatment following cytoreductive surgery remains systemic intravenous/intraperitoneal chemotherapy with a platinum agent and a taxane. Approximately 80% of women who receive first-line treatment with this platinum-based regimen experience relapsed disease. However, early research indicates that more and better options may be on the way.

Representatives Diana DeGette (D, Colorado) and Fred Upton (R, Michigan) recently released a "discussion draft" of the 21st Century Cures Act.

Donna McNamara, MD, discusses PARP inhibitors for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

Manish A Shah, MD, talks about a recent phase II study of FOLFOX with or without onartuzumab, a MET inhibitor, for the treatment of metastatic gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma.