Petronella B. Ottevanger

CD34 + progenitor-derived NK cell and gemcitabine combination therapy increases killing of ovarian cancer cells in NOD/SCID/IL2Rg null mice

Combining natural killer (NK) cell adoptive transfer with tumor-sensitizing chemotherapy is an attractive approach against recurrent ovarian cancer (OC), as OC is sensitive to NK cell-mediated immunity. Previously, we showed that CD34

Vulvar and vaginal cancer during pregnancy: A pooled analysis of 15 cases from the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy and review of the literature

Abstract Introduction Vulvovaginal cancer in pregnancy is rare. Limited data complicate decision‐making and patient counseling. Our review, coupled with new case data, fills a current gap in the literature and provides practical insights. Material and Methods Oncological and obstetric data of these pregnancies were examined by a case collection from the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) registry (vulvar n  = 10, vaginal n  = 5) and a literature review (vulvar n  = 46, vaginal n  = 37). Results Although preoperative imaging of inguinofemoral lymph nodes is feasible, only 16.1% of vulvar cancer patients underwent ultrasound or MRI. Treatment was initiated during pregnancy for 69.1% of vulvar cancer and 28.4% of vaginal cancer patients. Surgical lymph node staging of vulvar cancer was postponed until after delivery in 10 cases, although uni‐ or bilateral lymphadenectomy during pregnancy was not associated with more complications. Delivery outcomes included a live birth rate of 96.4% for vulvar cancer and 50% for vaginal cancer due to the high rate of pregnancy terminations, with most births preterm. The overall 5‐year survival rates for vulvar (81.3%) and vaginal (66.4%) cancer during pregnancy are comparable to nonpregnant populations, indicating that pregnancy does not adversely impact maternal prognosis. Conclusions This study underscores the feasibility of adapting standard oncological care for pregnant patients, emphasizing multidisciplinary teams to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes.

Randomized Phase III Study Comparing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery Versus Chemoradiation in Stage IB2-IIB Cervical Cancer: EORTC-55994

The EORTC-55994 trial compared neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by radical surgery with concomitant chemoradiation (CCRT) in patients with Stage IB2-IIB cervical cancer. This trial took almost 12 years to recruit 626 patients with a median follow-up of 8.7 years.

Tisotumab Vedotin in Combination With Carboplatin, Pembrolizumab, or Bevacizumab in Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer: Results From the innovaTV 205/GOG-3024/ENGOT-cx8 Study

PURPOSE Tissue factor is highly expressed in cervical carcinoma and can be targeted by tisotumab vedotin (TV), an antibody-drug conjugate. This phase Ib/II study evaluated TV in combination with bevacizumab, pembrolizumab, or carboplatin for recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer (r/mCC). METHODS This open-label, multicenter study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03786081 ) included dose-escalation arms that assessed dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and identified the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of TV in combination with bevacizumab (arm A), pembrolizumab (arm B), or carboplatin (arm C). The dose-expansion arms evaluated TV antitumor activity and safety at RP2D in combination with carboplatin as first-line (1L) treatment (arm D) or with pembrolizumab as 1L (arm E) or second-/third-line (2L/3L) treatment (arm F). The primary end point of dose expansion was objective response rate (ORR). RESULTS A total of 142 patients were enrolled. In dose escalation (n = 41), no DLTs were observed; the RP2D was TV 2 mg/kg plus bevacizumab 15 mg/kg on day 1 once every 3 weeks, pembrolizumab 200 mg on day 1 once every 3 weeks, or carboplatin AUC 5 on day 1 once every 3 weeks. In dose expansion (n = 101), the ORR was 54.5% (n/N, 18/33; 95% CI, 36.4 to 71.9) with 1L TV + carboplatin (arm D), 40.6% (n/N, 13/32; 95% CI, 23.7 to 59.4) with 1L TV + pembrolizumab (arm E), and 35.3% (12/34; 19.7 to 53.5) with 2L/3L TV + pembrolizumab (arm F). The median duration of response was 8.6 months, not reached, and 14.1 months, in arms D, E, and F, respectively. Grade ≥3 adverse events (≥15%) were anemia, diarrhea, nausea, and thrombocytopenia in arm D and anemia in arm F (none ≥15%, arm E). CONCLUSION TV in combination with bevacizumab, carboplatin, or pembrolizumab demonstrated manageable safety and encouraging antitumor activity in treatment-naive and previously treated r/mCC.

Bevacizumab, Atezolizumab, and Acetylsalicylic Acid in Recurrent, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer: The EORTC 1508-GCG Phase II Study

Abstract Purpose: Treatment options for patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) are limited, and new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. This phase II, randomized, multicentre trial evaluated the safety and activity of the anti–PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab (atezo) combined with the VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab (bev) and the irreversible cyclooxygenase 1/2 inhibitor aspirin [acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)] in PROC. Patients and Methods: Patients were randomized to bev monotherapy 15 mg/kg (arm 1), atezo 1,200 mg plus placebo (pbo; arm 2), atezo 1,200 mg plus ASA 320 mg/daily (arm 3), bev 15 mg/kg plus atezo 1,200 mg plus pbo (arm 4), or bev 15 mg/kg plus atezo 1,200 mg plus ASA 320 mg/daily (arm 5). Primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6) according to RECIST v1.1 assessed by a local investigator. Secondary objectives included overall survival, PFS, second PFS (PFS2), and tolerability. Time to first subsequent therapy (TFST) was evaluated in a post hoc analysis. Results: In arms 1 (bev), 4 (bev–atezo–pbo), and 5 (bev–atezo–ASA), there were 7/32 [21.9%, 70% confidence interval (CI), 14.0–32.0], 8/32 (25.0%, 70% CI, 16.6–35.3), and 8/32 (25.0%, 70% CI, 16.6–35.3) patients alive and progression-free at 6 months. The primary objective was not reached in any arm. Median PFS and response rates were 2.3 for bev monotherapy, 4.1 for bev–atezo–pbo, and 4.0 months for bev–atezo–ASA and 10%, 19%, and 15%, respectively. Two patients achieved an ongoing complete response lasting for more than 5 years from randomization (1 in bev–atezo–pbo and 1 in bev–atezo–ASA). A post hoc analysis of TFST suggested benefit of adding bev to atezo–ASA (P < 0.001). Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) increased in the atezo-containing arms after the first two cycles, and increased TIL were associated with a significantly longer TFST. Conclusions: The addition of ASA to bev plus atezo was well-tolerated but did not improve efficacy in PROC. Relative to bev alone, the bev plus atezo combination numerically improved PFS. Exploratory translational analyses suggest clinical benefit in a subgroup of patients characterized by high TIL infiltration and PD-L1–positive tumors at baseline.

Effects of a combined exercise and dietary intervention on body composition, physical functioning and fatigue in patients with ovarian cancer: results of the PADOVA trial

Guidelines recommend to include exercise and dietary advice in standard care for patients with cancer, based on evidence primarily derived from patients with breast cancer. Its applicability to patients with ovarian cancer is uncertain due to differences in patient characteristics and treatments. The PADOVA trial examined the effectiveness of a combined exercise and dietary intervention on fat-free mass (FFM), physical functioning, and fatigue. In total, 81 patients with ovarian cancer were randomised to the exercise and dietary intervention (n = 40) or control (n = 41) group. Measurements were performed before chemotherapy, after chemotherapy, and 12 weeks later. FFM was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and physical functioning and fatigue were assessed using questionnaires. Intervention effects were assessed on an intention-to-treat basis using linear mixed models. FFM and physical functioning increased, and fatigue decreased significantly over time in both groups. No significant difference between the groups were found for FFM (β = -0.5 kg; 95% CI = -3.2; 2.1), physical functioning (β = 1.4; 95% CI = -5.4; 8.3) and fatigue (β = 0.7; 95% CI = -1.5; 2.8). During treatment, both groups improved in FFM, physical functioning, and fatigue. The intervention group, however, did not demonstrate additional benefits compared to the control group. This highlights the need for caution when extrapolating findings from different cancer populations to patients with ovarian cancer.

Safety and Efficacy of Tisotumab Vedotin Monotherapy & in Combination With Other Cancer Agents in Subjects With Cervical Cancer

This is an open label, multi-center trial of tisotumab vedotin monotherapy and in combination with bevacizumab, pembrolizumab, or carboplatin in subjects with recurrent or stage IVB cervical cancer. The trial consists of two-parts a dose escalation part and an expansion part. The expansion part of the trial will be initiated once the Recommended Phase 2 Dose (RP2D) of the combinations have been determined in the dose escalation part.

Chemotherapy Followed By Surgery Vs Radiotherapy Plus Chemotherapy in Patients With Stage IB or II Cervical Cancer

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Giving chemotherapy drugs before surgery may shrink the tumor so that it can be removed during surgery. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Combining radiation therapy with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known whether chemotherapy is more effective followed by surgery or combined with radiation therapy in treating cervical cancer. PURPOSE: Randomized phase III trial to compare the effectiveness of chemotherapy followed by radical hysterectomy with that of chemotherapy plus radiation therapy in treating patients who have stage IB or stage II cervical cancer.