Sandro Pignata

KELIM score: A marker of chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the gynecological cancer with the worst prognosis and the highest mortality rate, primarily because 75% of patients are diagnosed with advanced FIGO stage III-IV disease. About 50% of patients are now treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery. In that context, there is a need for accurate predictors of tumor primary chemosensitivity, as it may impact the feasibility of subsequent interval debulking surgery. The cancer antigen 125 ELIMination rate constant K (KELIM) score, a modeled kinetic parameter, is a potential marker of tumor chemosensitivity in patients with ovarian cancer treated with adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy before interval debulking surgery. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of potential predictive factors for response to platinum therapy, focusing on the KELIM score, a marker increasingly used in clinical practice.

Exceptional Response to Trastuzumab Deruxtecan (T-DXd) in HER2-Positive Metastatic Endometrial Cancer

Objectives: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic malignancy, and its mortality rate is rising. Advanced or recurrent disease remains challenging because historically there have been limited therapeutic options. We aim to describe a complete and durable response to the HER2-directed antibody–drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) in a heavily pretreated patient with HER2-positive, mismatch-repair-deficient metastatic serous endometrial cancer. Methods: A 72-year-old woman underwent hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and staging procedures for FIGO stage IIIA, high-grade serous papillary endometrial carcinoma. Tumour profiling revealed dMMR, a p53 abnormal pattern, and HER2 overexpression (IHC 3+). She received carboplatin/paclitaxel plus avelumab, followed by pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and weekly paclitaxel. After progression on paclitaxel, off-label T-DXd was initiated. Molecular data (FoundationOne CDx) were collected, along with and serial imaging and CA125 assessments. Results: The patient developed cough after two cycles of T-DXd; interstitial lung disease was excluded, and treatment resumed with steroid cover. By December 2024, PET/CT demonstrated complete metabolic response, with resolution of vaginal-vault and para-aortic lesions and normalisation of CA125. Real-world progression-free survival exceeded eight months, with ongoing symptom improvement. Treatment was generally well tolerated; the principal adverse event was grade 3 neutropenia requiring dose reduction. No cardiotoxicity or interstitial lung disease occurred. Conclusions: This case illustrates that T-DXd can induce deep and durable remission in HER2-positive, dMMR metastatic serous endometrial cancer after multiple lines of therapy. It adds real-world evidence supporting further investigation of HER2-directed antibody–drug conjugates in gynaecologic malignancies, and underscores the need for confirmatory trials and refined biomarker-driven patient selection.

Quality of radiation shapes survival, invasiveness, and migration in ovarian cancer cell lines with different molecular profiles and varying alpha/beta ratios: an in vitro study on behalf of the Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian Cancer (MITO) group

The results of radiotherapy (RT) in oligometastatic ovarian cancers (OCs) lead to the query whether it is possible to stratify patients based on tumor hallmarks to ensure the best-personalized RT treatment. To address this question, we designed a preclinical study to evaluate the effects of high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation while considering molecular features and alpha/beta ratios of different OC cell lines. Exponentially growing human OVSAHO, OVCAR8, COV362, and OVCAR3 cells cultured in T-25 and T-75 flasks were exposed to different single physical doses of photons, protons, and carbon ion (CIRT) irradiation. We assessed ovarian cells' in vitro response using clonogenic survival (fitted using LQ model), migration by Boyden chamber assay, and invasion through BioCoat Matrigel invasion assay. Following photon irradiation, OVCAR3 was the most radioresistant and OVCAR8 the most radiosensitive cell line. OC cell migration decreased in a dose-dependent manner after irradiation, with CIRT showing the strongest effect, evident by the α/β ratio. The number of invading cells decreased following irradiation with all types. However, the greatest reduction was seen in CIRT, particularly at higher α/β ratios. Proton irradiation demonstrated similar potential to photons but did not match the effects of carbon ions in terms of survival, migration, and invasion

Overall survival with maintenance olaparib in platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer by somatic or germline BRCA and homologous recombination repair mutation status

Abstract Background The open-label, single-arm, multicentre ORZORA trial (NCT02476968) evaluated maintenance olaparib in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer (PSR OC) with a germline (g) or somatic (s) BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutation (BRCAm) or a non-BRCA homologous recombination repair mutation (non-BRCA HRRm). Methods Patients were in response to platinum-based chemotherapy after ≥2 prior lines of treatment and underwent prospective central screening for tumour BRCA status, then central gBRCAm testing to determine sBRCAm or gBRCAm status. An exploratory cohort evaluated non-BRCA HRRm in 13 predefined genes. Patients received olaparib 400 mg (capsules) twice daily until investigator-assessed disease progression. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and safety. Results 177 patients received olaparib. At the final data cutoff (25 June 2021), median OS from study enrolment was 46.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 37.9–54.4), 43.2 (31.7–NC [not calculated]), 47.4 (37.9–NC) and 44.9 (28.9–NC) months in the BRCAm, sBRCAm, gBRCAm and non-BRCA HRRm cohorts, respectively. No new safety signals were identified. Conclusion Maintenance olaparib showed consistent clinical activity in the BRCAm and sBRCAm cohorts; exploratory analysis suggested similar activity in the non-BRCA HRRm cohort. These findings highlight that patients with PSR OC, beyond those with gBRCAm, may benefit from maintenance olaparib.

A European, Observational, Prospective Trial of Trabectedin Plus Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin in Patients with Platinum-Sensitive Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Purpose The noninterventional, prospective NIMES-ROC phase IV study (NCT02825420) evaluated trabectedin plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in real-life clinical practice. Patients and Methods Eligible participants included adults with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (PS-ROC) who had received one or more cycles of trabectedin/PLD before inclusion according to the marketing authorization. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) according to investigator criteria. Results Two hundred eighteen patients from five European countries were evaluated, 72.5% of whom were pretreated with at least two prior chemotherapy lines and received a median of six cycles of trabectedin/PLD (range: 1–24). Median PFS was 9.46 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.9–10.9), and median overall survival (OS) was 23.56 months (95% CI, 18.1–34.1). Patients not pretreated with an antiangiogenic drug obtained larger median PFS (p < .007) and OS (p < .048), largely owning to differences between the two populations. Twenty-four patients (11.0%) had a complete response, and 57 patients (26.1%) achieved a partial response for an objective response rate (ORR) of 37.2%. Fifty-nine patients (27.1%) had disease stabilization for a disease control rate of 64.2%. No statistically significant difference in PFS, OS, or ORR was observed by BRCA1/2 status and platinum sensitivity. Most common grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (30.3%), anemia (6.4%), thrombocytopenia (5.5%), and asthenia (5.0%). No deaths attributed to treatment-related AEs or unexpected AEs occurred. Conclusion The combination of trabectedin/PLD represents a clinically meaningful and safe option for patients with PS-ROC regardless of prior treatment with an antiangiogenic drug, being comparable with previously observed outcomes in selected and less pretreated patients from clinical trials. Implications for Practice This noninterventional, prospective study, conducted in 57 reference sites across Europe, consistently confirmed that trabectedin plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in routine clinical practice represents a clinically meaningful and safe option for women with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer. Although the study population represented a heterogeneous, older, and more pretreated population than those in prospective clinical trials, the combination of trabectedin plus PLD induced comparable clinical benefits, with a similar and manageable safety profile. Overall, these findings show that trabectedin in combination with PLD maintains antitumor activity when administered to heavily pretreated patients in real-life clinical practice.

Bevacizumab or PARP-Inhibitors Maintenance Therapy for Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: A Network Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Targeted agents such as bevacizumab (BEV) or poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) which have been added as concomitant or maintenance therapies have been shown to improve progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (PS rOC). In the absence of direct comparison, we performed a network meta-analysis considering BRCA genes status. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and MEDLINE for trials involving patients with PS rOC treated with BEV or PARPi. Different comparisons were performed for patients included in the PARPi trials, according to BRCA genes status as follows: all comers (AC) population, BRCA 1/2 mutated (BRCAm), and BRCA wild type patients (BRCAwt). Results: In the overall population, PARPi prolonged PFS with respect to BEV (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.70, 95% CI 0.54–0.91). In the BRCA mutated carriers, the PFS improvement in favor of PARPi appeared to be higher (HR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.36–0.59) while in BRCAwt patients the superiority of PARPi over BEV failed to reach a statistically significance level (HR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.63–1.20); however, according to the SUCRA analysis, PARPi had the highest probability of being ranked as the most effective therapy (90% and 60%, for PARPi and BEV, respectively). Conclusions: PARPi performed better as compared with BEV in terms of PFS for the treatment of PS rOC, especially in BRCAm patients who had not previously received PARPi.

Emerging molecular alterations leading to histology-specific targeted therapies in ovarian cancer beyond PARP inhibitors

After more than 30 years of a one-size-fits-all approach in the management of advanced ovarian cancer, in 2018 the SOLO1 trial results have introduced a new era of personalized medicine. A deeper knowledge of ovarian cancer biology and the development of new drugs targeting specific molecular pathways have led to biomarker-driven phase 3 trials with practice changing results. Thereafter, platinum-based combinations are no longer the only therapeutic options available in first line setting and poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors maintenance therapy has become the mainstay in patients with tumor harboring a homologous recombination defect. However, most of the recent therapeutic breakthroughs regard high grade serous carcinoma, the most frequent ovarian cancer subtype, and only few improvements have occurred in the management of less common histotypes. Moving towards the next challenges, we aimed to investigate and review new potential molecular targets in ovarian cancer, according to histotype, starting from promising molecular drivers and matched drugs that have been investigated in early and late-stage clinical trials or conceptualized in preclinical studies.

Cytoreductive surgery followed by chemotherapy and olaparib maintenance in BRCA 1/2 mutated recurrent ovarian cancer: a retrospective MITO group study

The role of cytoreductive surgery in the poly-ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors era is not fully investigated. We evaluated the impact of surgery performed prior to platinum-based chemotherapy followed by olaparib maintenance in platinum-sensitive BRCA-mutated recurrent ovarian cancer. This retrospective study included platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer BRCA-mutated patients from 13 Multicenter Italian Trials in Ovarian cancer and gynecological malignancies centers treated between September 2015 and May 2019. The primary outcomes were progression-free survival and overall survival. Data on post-progression treatment was also assessed. Among 209 patients, 72 patients (34.5%) underwent cytoreductive surgery followed by platinum-based chemotherapy and olaparib maintenance, while 137 patients (65.5%) underwent chemotherapy treatment alone. After a median follow-up of 37.3 months (95% CI: 33.4 to 40.8), median progression-free survival in the surgery group was not reached, compared with 11 months in patients receiving chemotherapy alone (P12 months, between 6 and 12 months, and <6 months, respectively. Cytoreductive surgery performed before platinum therapy and olaparib maintenance was associated with longer progression-free survival and overall survival in BRCA-mutated platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer patients. In accordance with our preliminary results, the response rate to chemotherapy given after progression during olaparib was associated with platinum-free interval.

Clinical characteristics and molecular aspects of low-grade serous ovarian and peritoneal cancer: a multicenter, observational, retrospective analysis of MITO Group (MITO 22)

Low-grade serous ovarian and peritoneal cancer (LGSC) is a rare disease and few data on the clinical and genomic landscape have been published. A retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with LGSC between 1996 and 2019 was conducted in MITO centers. Objective Response Rate (ORR) to treatments, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Additionally, the tumor molecular profile of 56 patients was evaluated using the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) FoundationOne CDX (Foundation Medicine®). A total of 128 patients with complete clinical data and pathologically confirmed diagnosis of LGSC were identified. ORR to first and subsequent therapies were 23.7% and 33.7%, respectively. PFS was 43.9 months (95% CI:32.4-53.1) and OS was 105.4 months (95% CI: 82.7-not reached). The most common gene alterations were: KRAS (n = 12, 21%), CDKN2A/B (n = 11, 20%), NRAS (n = 8, 14%), FANCA (n = 8, 14%), NF1 (n = 7, 13%) and BRAF (n = 6, 11%). Unexpectedly, pathogenetic BRCA1 (n = 2, 4%), BRCA2 (n = 1, 2%) and PALB2 (n = 1, 2%) mutations were found. MITO 22 suggests that LGSC is an heterogenous disease for both its clinical behavior in response to standard therapies and its molecular alterations. Future prospective studies should test treatments according to biological and molecular tumor's characteristics. This study is registered under NCT02408536 on ClinicalTrials.gov .

Evaluation of perioperative management of advanced ovarian (tubal/peritoneal) cancer patients: a survey from MITO-MaNGO Groups

The European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO)-quality indicators (QIs) for advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) have been assessed only by few Italian centers, and data are not available on the proportion of centers reaching the score considered for a satisfactory surgical management. There is great consensus that the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach is beneficial, but there is paucity of data concerning its application in AOC. This survey was aimed at gathering detailed information on perioperative management of AOC patients within MITO-MaNGO Groups. A 66-item questionnaire, covering ESGO-QIs for AOC and ERAS items, was sent to MITO/MaNGO centers reporting to operate >20 AOC/year. Thirty/34 questionnaires were analyzed. The median ESGO-QIs score was 31.5, with 50% of centers resulting with a score ≥32 which provides satisfactory surgical management. The rates of concordance with ERAS guidelines were 46.6%, 74.1%, and 60.7%, respectively, for pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative items. The proportion of overall agreement was 61.3%, and with strong recommendations was 63.1%. Pre-operative diet, fasting/bowel preparation, correction of anaemia, post-operative feeding and early mobilization were the most controversial. A significant positive correlation was found between ESGO-QIs score and adherence to ERAS recommendations. This survey reveals a satisfactory surgical management in only half of the centers, and an at least sufficient adherence to ERAS recommendations. Higher the ESGO-QIs score stronger the adherence to ERAS recommendations, underlining the correlations between case volume, appropriate peri-operative management and quality of surgery. The present study is a first step to build a structured platform for harmonization within MITO-MaNGO networks.

Olaparib beyond progression compared with platinum chemotherapy after secondary cytoreductive surgery in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer: phase III randomized, open-label MITO 35b study, a project of the MITO-MANGO groups

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors have transformed the management landscape for patients with ovarian cancer, demonstrating remarkable improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival. Unfortunately, most relapses are due to an acquired mechanism of resistance to these agents. We hypothesize that secondary cytoreductive surgery, removing resistant clones, might help to overcome the development of resistance to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors, prolonging their therapeutic effect. To determine the efficacy of olaparib beyond progression compared with standard platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer progressed during or after poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor maintenance therapy after secondary cytoreductive surgery. Olaparib administered beyond progression is more effective in increasing progression-free survival and progression-free survival 2 compared with second-line platinum-based chemotherapy in patients after secondary cytoreductive surgery. Phase III, randomized, open-label, multicenter trial. Eligible patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive olaparib or platinum-based chemotherapy of the investigator's choice. Eligible patients must have high-grade serous or endometrioid ovarian cancer progressed during or after first-line poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor maintenance therapy and must have undergone secondary cytoreductive surgery. The dual primary endpoints will include progression-free survival and progression-free survival 2. Progression-free survival is defined by the investigator using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 as the time between randomization and progression or death from any cause. Progression-free survival 2 is defined by the investigator using RECIST version 1.1 as the time frame from randomization to the second progression or death from any cause after subsequent treatment. Approximately 200 patients will be enrolled in this study. Enrollment will be completed in 2024. Results will be presented in 2026. EudraCT 2021-000245-41 NCT05255471.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) is a potential therapeutic target in extramammary Paget’s disease of the vulva

Invasive vulvar Paget's disease with over-expression of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein is potentially suitable for targeted therapy, especially in a metastatic setting where no effective treatments are available. Four consecutive patients with HER2 positive advanced vulvar Paget's disease, treated with weekly trastuzumab (loading dose 4 mg/kg, then 2 mg/kg) and paclitaxel (80 mg/m Median age and follow-up of patients were 62.5 years (45-74) and 16 months (6-54), respectively. Complete or partial responses were observed in all patients. Median time to response was 3 months (range 2-4), while median duration of response was 10 months (range 2-34). Case 1 presented with pulmonary and lymph nodes involvement. She experienced a radiological complete response after 24 treatment administrations, and a progression-free survival of 36 months. At disease progression, treatment re-challenge achieved partial response. She is currently receiving treatment with trastuzumab-emtansine. Case 2 was a 74-year-old woman who developed pulmonary metastasis after first-line cisplatin treatment. She had a partial response and a progression-free survival of 10 months. Case 3 had inguinal and para-aortic lymphadenopathy in complete response after 18 treatment administrations. She developed brain metastasis while receiving trastuzumab maintenance. Case 4 was treated for locally advanced disease and experienced a subjective benefit with relief in perineal pain and itching. No unexpected treatment-related side effects were reported. Advanced vulvar Paget's disease is a rare disorder and no standard treatment is available. In the sub-group of HER2 positive disease, weekly paclitaxel-trastuzumab appears to be active and safe, and may be considered a therapeutic option in these patients.

Influence of Genomic Landscape on Cancer Immunotherapy for Newly Diagnosed Ovarian Cancer: Biomarker Analyses from the IMagyn050 Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Purpose: To explore whether patients with BRCA1/2-mutated or homologous recombination deficient (HRD) ovarian cancers benefitted from atezolizumab in the phase III IMagyn050 (NCT03038100) trial. Patients and Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer were randomized to either atezolizumab or placebo with standard chemotherapy and bevacizumab. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) status of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (IC) was determined centrally (VENTANA SP142 assay). Genomic alterations, including deleterious BRCA1/2 alterations, genomic loss of heterozygosity (gLOH), tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI), were evaluated using the FoundationOne assay. HRD was defined as gLOH ≥ 16%, regardless of BRCA1/2 mutation status. Potential associations between progression-free survival (PFS) and genomic biomarkers were evaluated using standard correlation analyses and log-rank of Kaplan–Meier estimates. Results: Among biomarker-evaluable samples, 22% (234/1,050) harbored BRCA1/2 mutations and 46% (446/980) were HRD. Median TMB was low irrespective of BRCA1/2 or HRD. Only 3% (29/1,024) had TMB ≥10 mut/Mb, and 0.3% (3/1,022) were MSI-high. PFS was better in BRCA2-mutated versus BRCA2–non-mutated tumors and in HRD versus proficient tumors. PD-L1 positivity (≥1% expression on ICs) was associated with HRD but not BRCA1/2 mutations. PFS was not improved by adding atezolizumab in BRCA2-mutated or HRD tumors; there was a trend toward enhanced PFS with atezolizumab in BRCA1-mutated tumors. Conclusions: Most ovarian tumors have low TMB despite BRCA1/2 mutations or HRD. Neither BRCA1/2 mutation nor HRD predicted enhanced benefit from atezolizumab. This is the first randomized double-blind trial in ovarian cancer demonstrating that genomic instability triggered by BRCA1/2 mutation or HRD is not associated with improved sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors. See related commentary by Al-Rawi et al., p. 1645

Molecular Results and Potential Biomarkers Identified from the Phase 3 MILO/ENGOT-ov11 Study of Binimetinib versus Physician Choice of Chemotherapy in Recurrent Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Purpose: We present the results of a post hoc tumor tissue analysis from the phase 3 MILO/ENGOT-ov11 study (NCT01849874). Patients and Methods: Mutation/copy-number analysis was performed on tissue obtained pre-randomization. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS). Unbiased univariate analysis, Cox regression, and binary logistic regression were used to test associations between mutation status and outcomes, including PFS and binary response by local RECIST 1.1. Results: MILO/ENGOT-ov11 enrolled 341 patients, ranging in age from 22 to 79, from June, 2013 to April, 2016. Patients were randomized 2:1 to binimetinib or physician's choice of chemotherapy (PCC). The most commonly altered gene was KRAS (33%). In 135 patients treated with binimetinib with response rate (RR) data, other detected MAPK pathway alterations included: NRAS (n = 11, 8.1%), BRAF V600E (n = 8, 5.9%), RAF1 (n = 2, 1.5%), and NF1 (n = 7, 5.2%). In those with and without MAPK pathway alterations, the RRs with binimetinib were 41% and 13%, respectively. PFS was significantly longer in patients with, compared with those without, MAPK pathway alterations treated with binimetinib [HR, 0.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31–0.79]. There was a nonsignificant trend toward PFS improvement in PCC-treated patients with MAPK pathway alterations compared with those without (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.43–1.59). Conclusions: Although this hypothesis-generating analysis is limited by multiple testing, higher RRs and longer PFS were seen in patients with low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) treated with binimetinib, and to a lesser extent in those treated with PCC, who harbored MAPK pathway alterations. Somatic tumor testing should be routinely considered in patients with LGSOC and used as a future stratification factor.

Homologous recombination repair status in advanced endometrial cancer: an exploratory biomarker analysis from the randomized, phase II MITOEND 3 trial

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor use in endometrial cancer (EC) requires predictive biomarkers, currently lacking in clinical practice. This study assessed the incidence of homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) using genomic loss of heterozygosity (gLOH) and a machine learning-based HRD scar signature (HRDsig). MITO END 3 was a multicenter, phase II trial of advanced EC patients randomly assigned to receive platinum-based chemotherapy ± avelumab. Of 125 patients, 102 had tumor samples available for sequencing with FoundationOne®CDx. HRD was evaluated using gLOH (cut-off ≥16%, based on ARIEL3) and HRDsig (cut-off ≥0.7, validated pan-cancer). Among 102 evaluable samples, 5 were HRDsig-positive, 90 HRDsig-negative, and 7 HRDsig unknown. gLOH was high in 10 cases, low in 53, and not assessable in 39. Most HRDsig-positive (4/5) and gLOH-high (8/10) tumors were of endometrioid histology and carried TP53 mutations. None were microsatellite instability-high. A small subgroup of advanced EC patients shows HRD positivity by gLOH or HRDsig, potentially identifying those most likely to benefit from PARP inhibitors. These tumors are typically endometrioid with TP53 mutations.

The future of gynecologic oncologic surgery: a narrative review of current surgical trials

Recent advances in gynecologic oncology have driven a paradigm shift toward less invasive, more personalized surgical approaches. This narrative review critically examines key ongoing international trials investigating innovative surgical strategies across vulvar, cervical, ovarian, and endometrial cancers, with a focus on improving oncologic outcomes while minimizing morbidity. In vulvar cancer, trials are exploring the use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the replacement of inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy with chemoradiation in selected patients. For cervical cancer, large multicenter randomized trials are evaluating the oncologic safety of minimally invasive hysterectomy, surgical staging for para-aortic disease, and robotic-assisted surgery. In the contest of ovarian cancer, randomized trials are assessing the role of lymphadenectomy in early-stage disease, the optimal timing of cytoreductive surgery (primary versus interval), and the potential benefits of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, even in cases of platinum-resistant recurrence. For endometrial cancer, both observational and interventional studies are investigating sentinel lymph nodes mapping and robotic-assisted hysterectomy as alternatives to traditional staging procedures. Collectively, these trials underscore the growing importance of individualized treatment strategies guided by disease stage, histologic subtype, response to neoadjuvant therapy, and patient-specific factors. While minimally invasive techniques and surgical de-escalation appear promising for selected patient populations, critical questions remain regarding long-term oncologic safety, cost-effectiveness, and the consistency of practice across institutions. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence and outlines how the outcomes of these pivotal studies are expected to influence future guidelines in gynecologic cancer surgery.

Leveraging Real-World Data From a Clinicogenomic Database Addresses the Treatment Gap in Patients With High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

PURPOSE This study used a deidentified nationwide (US-based) high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) clinicogenomic database (CGDB) to enrich our understanding of HGSOC's genomic heterogeneity and assess the utility of comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) in clinical settings. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective observational analysis on 856 patients with HGSOC profiled with CGP genomic tests, retrieved from CGDB from January 2011 to September 2023. RESULTS In addition to BRCA1 (11.7%) and BRCA2 (6.5%) variants, CGP revealed further potentially actionable alterations (amplifications and/or mutations) in CCNE1 (16%), FGFR1/2/3/4 (6.5%), PIK3CA (3.9%), TP53 Y220C (3.7%), ERBB2 (3.5%), CDK12 (2.3%), ARID1A (2.2%), KRAS (2.1%), and BRAF (1%) genes. Then, 439 patients were selected, presenting both CGP test performed on specimen collected at the time of surgery and initiation of first-line therapy within ±8 months from surgery, and categorized into no (NS, n = 74), interval (IS, n = 157), and upfront surgery (n = 208) groups, each comparable by clinical features. The CGP revealed BRCA mutations, at similar frequency in the three groups, in 54/439 patients (12.3%). Patients with pathogenic BRCA mutations had better event-free survival (EFS) compared with those with BRCA wt . Loss-of-heterozygosity (LOH) ≥16 (LOH-positive patients) was found in 142/433 (32.8%) patients, with different prevalence across treatment groups (12.8% NS; 9% IS; 8.8% upfront surgery). Patients treated with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) had improved EFS (hazard ratio for other drugs v PARPi 1.77 [95% CI, 1.21 to 2.58]). Interestingly, in 206 BRCA wt and LOH-negative patients, not eligible for PARPi, CGP detected potentially targetable alterations in 99 of them (48%). CONCLUSION Overall, our study provides evidence that CGP significantly improves the identification of molecular targets in HGSOC, supporting its importance in the clinical practice to provide patients with more therapeutic options.

First-Line Lenvatinib Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Chemotherapy for Advanced Endometrial Cancer: A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase III Trial

PURPOSE Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab (len + pembro) significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy in previously treated advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer (aEC) in the phase III Study 309/KEYNOTE-775. We report results from the phase III, randomized, open-label European Network of Gynaecological Oncological Trial-en9/LEAP-001 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03884101 ) that evaluated len + pembro versus chemotherapy in first-line aEC. METHODS Patients with stage III to IV or recurrent, radiographically apparent EC and no previous chemotherapy or disease progression ≥6 months after neo/adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy were randomly assigned 1:1 to lenvatinib 20 mg once daily plus pembrolizumab 200 mg once every 3 weeks or paclitaxel 175 mg/m 2 plus carboplatin AUC 6 mg/mL/min once every 3 weeks. Primary end points were PFS and OS, evaluated in the mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) and all-comers populations. Noninferiority was assessed for OS at final analysis (FA) for len + pembro versus chemotherapy (multiplicity-adjusted, one-sided nominal alpha, .0159; null hypothesis–tested hazard ratio [HR], 1.1). RESULTS Eight hundred forty-two patients were randomly assigned (len + pembro, n = 420 [pMMR population, n = 320]; chemotherapy, n = 422 [pMMR population, n = 322]). At FA (data cutoff, October 2, 2023), median PFS (95% CI) in the pMMR population was 9.6 (8.2 to 11.9) versus 10.2 (8.4 to 10.5) months with len + pembro versus chemotherapy (hazard ratio [HR], 0.99 [95% CI, 0.82 to 1.21]) and among all-comers was 12.5 (10.3 to 15.1) versus 10.2 (8.4 to 10.4) months (HR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.76 to 1.09]; descriptive analyses). Median OS (95% CI) in the pMMR population was 30.9 (25.4 to 37.7) versus 29.4 (26.2 to 35.4) months with len + pembro versus chemotherapy (HR, 1.02 [95% CI, 0.83 to 1.26]; noninferiority P = .246, not statistically significant per multiplicity control strategy) and among all-comers was 37.7 (32.2 to 43.6) versus 32.1 (27.2 to 35.7) months (HR, 0.93 [95% CI, 0.77 to 1.12]). Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 331/420 (79%) versus 274/411 (67%) treated patients. CONCLUSION First-line len + pembro did not meet prespecified statistical criteria for PFS or OS versus chemotherapy in pMMR aEC.

USP1 deubiquitinates PARP1 to regulate its trapping and PARylation activity

PARP inhibitors (PARPi) represent a game-changing treatment for patients with ovarian cancer with tumors deficient for the homologous recombination (HR) pathway treated with platinum (Pt)–based therapy. PARPi exert their cytotoxic effect by both trapping PARP1 on the damaged DNA and by restraining its enzymatic activity (PARylation). How PARP1 is recruited and trapped at the DNA damage sites and how resistance to PARPi could be overcome are still matters of investigation. Here, we described PARP1 as a substrate of the deubiquitinase USP1. At molecular level, USP1 binds PARP1 to remove its K63-linked polyubiquitination and controls PARP1 chromatin trapping and PARylation activity, regulating sensitivity to PARPi. In both Pt/PARPi-sensitive and -resistant cells, USP1/PARP1 combined blockade enhances replicative stress, DNA damage, and cell death. Our work dissected the biological interaction between USP1 and PARP1 and recommended this axis as a promising and powerful therapeutic choice for not only sensitive but also chemoresistant patients with ovarian cancer irrespective of their HR status.

MITO 35B: Olaparib Beyond Progression Compared to Platinum Chemotherapy After Secondary Cytoreductive Surgery in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Patients.

MITO 35b is designed as randomized, open label, phase III trial that aims to assess the efficacy of olaparib maintenance beyond progression compered to standard platinum-based chemotherapy after secondary cytoreductive surgery. The target population of this study are ovarian cancer patients who experience a disease recurrence or progression to a first line maintenance therapy with PARPi; at progression patients must have received a secondary cytoreduction according to clinical practice.

A Study of Atezolizumab Versus Placebo in Combination With Paclitaxel, Carboplatin, and Bevacizumab in Participants With Newly-Diagnosed Stage III or Stage IV Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

This is a Phase III, global, double-blind, 2-arm randomized study designed to compare the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab + paclitaxel + carboplatin + bevacizumab versus placebo + paclitaxel + carboplatin + bevacizumab. Study participants will have Stage 3 or 4 ovarian cancer (OC), fallopian tube cancer (FTC), or primary peritoneal cancer (PPC) with macroscopic residual disease postoperatively (i.e., after primary tumor reductive surgery) or who will undergo neoadjuvant therapy followed by interval surgery.

Observational Retrospective Study on Treatment and Outcomes in Patients With Low-grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate treatments and outcomes of patients with low grade serous ovarian carcinomas in Italy.

A Study of MEK162 vs. Physician's Choice Chemotherapy in Patients With Low-grade Serous Ovarian, Fallopian Tube or Peritoneal Cancer

The MILO Study (MEK Inhibitor in Low-grade Serous Ovarian Cancer) is a Phase 3 study during which patients with recurrent or persistent low-grade serous (LGS) carcinomas of the ovary, fallopian tube or primary peritoneum will receive either investigational study drug MEK162 or a chemotherapy chosen by the physician (liposomal doxorubicin, paclitaxel or topotecan). Patients will be followed to compare the effectiveness of the study drug to that of the selected chemotherapies. Patients may be eligible to crossover from physician's choice chemotherapy to MEK162 if they meet certain inclusion criteria including centrally confirmed disease progression. Approximately 360 patients from North America, Europe and Australia will be enrolled in this study.