In The Know-March 2020

March 2020
Pdf Summary
In the March 2020 edition of Ed's List, several significant studies in the field of gynecologic oncology were highlighted. These studies cover a range of topics, including ovarian cancer detection, treatment, and risk factors. Here is a summary of the key findings from each study:<br /><br />- One study focused on the development of new detection methods for ovarian cancer using phage nanoparticles. The researchers found that phage nanoparticles displaying targeting peptides for optical imaging showed increased binding to ovarian cancer cells and could be easily localized using optical imaging. This could potentially improve early detection of ovarian cancer.<br /><br />- Another study explored the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in epithelial ovarian cancer. While immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising results in other cancers, they have had unsatisfactory outcomes in ovarian cancer. The researchers discussed the reasons for this and suggested new therapeutic approaches to improve patient outcomes.<br /><br />- Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in conjunction with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) was studied as an adjunctive treatment strategy in ovarian cancer. The study found that HIPEC increases concentrations of chemotherapy directly within the peritoneal cavity and can effectively target remaining microscopic tumors. The review examined the history of HIPEC, the techniques used, and the available data guiding its use in primary and recurrent ovarian cancer.<br /><br />- A study investigated the dual origins of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. The researchers found that the cell of origin influences tumor growth, metastasis, and response to treatment. They identified both the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) and the fallopian tube epithelium (FTE) as potential cell of origins for high-grade serous ovarian cancer.<br /><br />- The association between circulating plasma metabolites and ovarian cancer risk was examined. The study found that an increase in pseudouridine levels was associated with an increased risk of overall ovarian cancer and serous/poorly differentiated tumors. Metabolite set enrichment analysis revealed that triacylglycerols (TAG) showed heterogeneity by tumor aggressiveness.<br /><br />- Germline and somatic BRCA1/2 mutations in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer were analyzed. The study found that somatic mutation analysis using next-generation sequencing, in addition to germline BRCA1/2 mutation analysis, should become the standard of care for managing women with high-grade serous ovarian cancer to widen the indications for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors.<br /><br />- The risk of ovarian cancer was found to increase with an increase in the lifetime number of ovulatory cycles. Each additional ovulation led to a small increase in the risk of most ovarian cancers, with the risk doubling as the number of lifetime ovulatory cycles rises.<br /><br />- The use of fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) among reproductive-age women diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer was examined. FSS was associated with lower overall survival among women with advanced-stage, serous ovarian cancer.<br /><br />- The differential expression of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa B (RANK) in healthy endometrium, ovarian endometrioma, and endometrioid ovarian cancer was explored. RANK expression was found to be increased in endometriosis and endometrioid cancer compared to eutopic endometrium.<br /><br />- The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in patients with cancer at a tertiary care hospital in Wuhan, China was investigated. Hospital-acquired transmission accounted for a significant proportion of COVID-19 cases, indicating the hospital environment as a source of spread of the virus. Patients with cancer may be at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 due to their need for hospital visits and immunosuppressive treatments.<br /><br />These studies provide valuable insights into the detection, treatment, and risk factors of gynecologic cancers, and their findings can contribute to improved patient care and management.
Keywords
ovarian cancer detection
phage nanoparticles
immune checkpoint inhibitors
hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
cell of origin
circulating plasma metabolites
BRCA1/2 mutations
ovulatory cycles
fertility-sparing surgery
SARS-CoV-2