A patient in her 60s had previously undergone cytoreductive surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy for stage IIIB high-grade serous carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Somatic testing revealed loss of heterozygosity >16% (determined by Foundation Medicine), therefore the patient was placed on

Background This multi-center RP2 study assessed activity/safety of ixabepilone + bevacizumab compared to ixabepilone in platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian/fallopian tube/primary peritoneal cancer. Additional objectives were to examine the role of prior bevacizumab and taxanes, and explore class III-ß-tubulin (TUBB3) as a predictive biomarker. Methods Participants were randomised to receive ixabepilone 20 mg/m 2 days 1, 8, 15 with (IXA + BEV) or without (IXA) bevacizumab 10 mg/kg days 1, 15 every 28 days. Patients were stratified by prior BEV. The primary endpoint was PFS. OS, safety, and ORR served as secondary endpoints. Results Among 76 evaluable patients who received IXA + BEV ( n = 39) compared to IXA ( n = 37), the ORR was 33% ( n = 13) versus 8% ( n = 3)( P = 0.004), durable at 6 months in 37% ( n = 14) and 3% ( n = 1) ( P < 0.001). BEV significantly improved PFS (median:5.5 vs 2.2 months, HR = 0.33, 95%CI 0.19–0.55, P < 0.001) and OS (median:10.0 vs 6.0 months, HR = 0.52, 95%CI 0.31–0.87, P = 0.006). Both regimens were well-tolerated. TUBB3 expression did not predict response. Subgroup analyses revealed minimal effect of prior BEV or taxane resistant/refractory status on response to IXA + BEV. Conclusions IXA + BEV is a well-tolerated, effective combination for platinum/taxane-resistant ovarian cancer that extends PFS and likely OS relative to IXA monotherapy. Prior receipt of BEV should not preclude the use of IXA + BEV. TUBB3 is not a predictive biomarker. Clinical trial registration NCT3093155.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CC), are biologically aggressive tumors endowed with the ability to rapidly metastasize to the abdominal cavity and distant organs. About 10

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) and carcinosarcomas (CSs) are rare, highly aggressive variants of endometrial cancer. No reliable tumor biomarkers are currently available to guide response to treatment or detection of early recurrence in USC/CS patients. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) identified using ultrasensitive technology such as droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) may represent a novel platform for the identification of occult disease. We explored the use of personalized ctDNA markers for monitoring USC and CS patients. Tumor and plasma samples from USC/CS patients were collected at the time of surgery and/or during the treatment course for assessment of tumor-specific somatic structural variants (SSVs) by a clinical-grade next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform (i.e., Foundation Medicine) and a droplet digital PCR instrument (Raindance, ddPCR). The level of ctDNA was quantified by droplet digital PCR in plasma samples and correlated to clinical findings, including CA-125 serum and/or computed tomography (CT) scanning results. The genomic-profiling-based assay identified mutated "driver" target genes for ctDNA analysis in all USC/CS patients. In multiple patients, longitudinal ctDNA testing was able to detect the presence of cancer cells before the recurrent tumor was clinically detectable by either CA-125 or CT scanning. Persistent undetectable levels of ctDNA following initial treatment were associated with prolonged progression-free and overall survival. In a USC patient, CA-125 and TP53 mutations but not PIK3CA mutations become undetectable in the plasma at the time of recurrence, suggesting that more than one customized probe should be used for monitoring ctDNA. Longitudinal ctDNA testing using tumor-informed assays may identify the presence of residual tumors, predict responses to treatment, and identify early recurrences in USC/CS patients. Recognition of disease persistence and/or recurrence through ctDNA surveillance may allow earlier treatment of recurrent disease and has the potential to change clinical practice in the management of USC and CS patients. CtDNA validation studies in USC/CS patients prospectively enrolled in treatment trials are warranted.

Introduction Uterine leiomyosarcomas (uLMS) are rare, highly aggressive tumors. Up to 30% of uLMS may harbor gain of function (GOF) in the MAP2K4 gene, important for tumor cell proliferation, differentiation and metastasis. We investigated the in vivo activity of a novel MAP2K4 inhibitor, PLX8725, against uLMS harboring MAP2K4 gene-amplification. Methods Two fully characterized uLMS (i.e., LEY-11 and LEY-16) were grafted into female CB-17/SCID mice. Treatments with control vehicle or PLX8725 (50 mg/kg) were given via oral gavage daily on weekdays for up to 60 days. Tumor volume differences were calculated with two-way ANOVA. Pharmacokinetic (PK) and mechanistic studies of PLX8725 in uLMS PDX models were also performed. Results Both uLMS tumors evaluated demonstrated GOF in MAP2K4 (i.e., 3 CNV in both LEY-11 and LEY-16). Tumor growth inhibition was significantly greater in both PDX LEY-11 and PDX LEY-16 treated with PLX8725 when compared to controls (p < 0.001). Median overall survival was also significantly longer in both PDX LEY-11 (p = 0.0047) and PDX LEY-16 (p = 0.0058) treatment cohorts when compared to controls. PLX8725 oral treatment was well tolerated, and PK studies demonstrated that oral PLX8725 gives extended exposure in mice. Ex vivo tumor samples after PLX8725 exposure decreased phosphorylated-ATR, JNK and p38, and increased expression of apoptotic molecules on western blot. Conclusion PLX8725 demonstrates promising in vivo activity against PDX models of uLMS harboring GOF alterations in the MAP2K4 gene with tolerable toxicity. Phase I trials of PLX8725 in advanced, recurrent, chemotherapy-resistant uLMS patients are warranted.

INTRODUCTION:Despite progress on prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, global morbidity and mortality remain high. Immunotherapy, in conjunction with standard chemotherapy, presents an opportunity for further benefit.AREAS COVERED:Here we report the pharmacologic properties, evidence for clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of pembrolizumab in addition to standard chemotherapy with and without bevacizumab for treatment of advanced or recurrent cervical cancer.EXPERT OPINION:In patients with progressive, recurrent, or metastatic PD-L1 expressing cervical cancer, without contraindication to anti-VEGF therapy, the use of pembrolizumab with bevacizumab and standard chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel is warranted. There is no evidence to support the use of pembrolizumab for this population broadly, and no evidence to support its use in PD-L1 non-expressing tumors.

Study Objective: To show the surgical technique of a laparoscopic resection of an ectopic pregnancy of cesarean section scar.Design: We present a clinical case, ultrasound from the ectopic pregnancy and the control.Setting: Cl ınica del Prado.Patients or Participants: One 36, G2C1 patient.Interventions: Ectopic resection by laparoscopy.Measurements and Main Results: We show the technique with blood control. Conclusion:The cesarean scar ectopic pregnancy could be safely resected by laparoscopy.Temporary ligation of uterine artery helps reducing the bleeding.

Key Clinical Message Isolated utero‐ovarian torsion poses a challenge to diagnosing adnexal torsion, as it may not present with imaging findings. Clinicians with high suspicion for torsion but lack of evidence on ultrasonography should proceed to diagnostic laparoscopy. Abstract Adnexal torsion occurs when the ovary rotates around its supporting ligaments, the infundibulopelvic and utero‐ovarian (UO) ligaments, often causing disruption of blood supply. This pathology often presents with acute pelvic pain and is a gynecologic surgical emergency. Diagnosis is typically made with Doppler ultrasound, although dual blood supply to the ovary poses additional diagnostic challenges and sensitivity of this tool is debated. In this case study, we present a case of missed torsion due to isolated compromise of UO ligament.

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) is a rare, biologically aggressive variant of endometrial cancer with a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. HER2 overexpression (3+ positivity) by IHC and/or FISH ERBB2 gene amplification is detected in approximately one-third of patients with USC. Clinical trials incorporating trastuzumab with standard chemotherapy have recently demonstrated improved progression-free and overall survival in advanced-stage or recurrent USC that overexpresses HER2. However, a large number of patients with USC eventually developed resistance to trastuzumab. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is a novel HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugate with a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for multiple tumor indications. Here, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of T-DXd in primary USC cell lines and xenografts with different HER2 expression. T-DXd-induced cell growth suppression in HER2-overexpressing cell lines in vitro, increased early and late apoptosis as assessed by annexin and propidium iodide staining, and, similarly to trastuzumab, T-DXd-induced significant antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in the presence of peripheral blood lymphocytes. While negligible activity was detected against USC cell lines with low HER2 expression, T-DXd demonstrated significant bystander killing against USC tumors with low/negligible HER2 when such cells were admixed with HER2 3+ tumor cells in vitro. T-DXd showed tumor growth suppression in in vivo USC PDX models that overexpress HER2 at 3+ levels, prolonging survival when compared with controls, with minimal toxicity. Future clinical trials are warranted in patients with USC failing trastuzumab treatment.

Uterine serous carcinoma (USC) and uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) are two rare histologic variants of uterine carcinoma, with distinct molecular profiles and aggressive metastatic potential. As the effectivity of traditional platinum-based chemotherapy for USC and UCS is low, and there are high rates of resistance and recurrence, the development of novel targeted therapeutics is needed. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) has proven to be an oncogene of increasing interest in these cancers, as HER2 protein overexpression and/or c-ERBB2 gene amplification ranges from ~30 to 35% in USC, and between ~15 and 20% in UCS. This review summarizes the existing clinical and preclinical evidence, as well as ongoing clinical trials of HER2-targeting therapeutics, and identifies potential areas of further development and inquiry.

Objective: Low grade serous carcinoma (LGSC) of the ovary is characterized by a high recurrence rate, resistance to most chemotherapeutic agents, and limited effective therapeutic options. Recently, LGSC has been found to often contain mutations in KRAS (~30%), NRAS (~10%), and BRAF (~8%). Avutometinib (VS-6766) is a RAF/MEK clamp that induces dominant negative complexes of RAF with MEK, and inhibits proliferation of KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, and CRAF mutant cell lines. VS-4718 is a focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor that has shown synergistic anti-tumor activity with avutometinib in other cancer models, as it blocks the potential of FAK to function as an adaptive resistance mechanism to RAF/MEK inhibition. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of the RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib with FAK inhibition in vivo in LGSC patient derived tumor xenograft (PDX) models. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was used to evaluate mutations in two primary ovarian LGSC PDX models (OVA(K)250 and PERIT(M)17). OVA(K)250 and PERIT(M)17 cells were injected into SCID mice and animals were treated with either vehicle control (CTRL), RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib (MEKi), FAK inhibitor VS-4718, or the combination (MEKi/FAKi). Tumor volumes were measured twice per week. Results: Both the OVA(K)250 and PERIT(M)17 PDX models express wildtype KRAS and express RAF1 mutations at position 12641679 A>C, V207G. In PDX OVA(K)250 mice treated with MEKi/FAKi, day 9 tumor volume was significantly lower compared to mice treated with CTRL (p=0.0002). At day 9, tumor volume was also significantly lower in mice treated with MEKi alone compared to CTRL (p=0.0007). Mice treated with FAKi alone had tumor volumes that were significantly smaller than CTRL by day 12 (p=0.009). By day 23, CTRL mice had reached tumor volume characteristics requiring sacrifice. Combination MEKi/FAKi treatment resulted in improved overall survival (OS); median OS for combination or MEKi alone was not reached by 60 days. Treatment with FAKi led to median OS of 35 days; CTRL mice had median OS of 23 days (p=0.001). In vivo experiments with PDX PERIT(M)17 and PDX OVA(K)250 are ongoing. Conclusion: Combination of avutometinib with FAK inhibition showed improved in vivo preclinical anti-tumor efficacy relative to either agent alone in an LGSC PDX model with wildtype KRAS and with a RAF1 mutation. These data support an ongoing registration-directed study with avutometinib ± the FAK inhibitor defactinib for patients with recurrent LGSC (NCT04625270). Citation Format: Blair McNamara, Cem Demirkiran, Stefania Bellone, Levent Mutlu, Margherita Zipponi, Miguel S. Verzosa, Justin Harold, Tobias M. Hartwich, Gary Altwerger, Elena Ratner, Gloria Huang, Mitchell Clark, Vaagn Andikyan, Masoud Azodi, Peter E. Schwartz, Peter Dottino, Alessandro D. Santin. In vivo efficacy of RAF/MEK clamp avutometinib (VS-6766) in combination with FAK inhibition in low grade serous ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3402.

INTRODUCTION:Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare, highly aggressive malignancy. Recent data suggest 50% of uLMS may harbor alterations in the ATRX gene and such mutations may confer sensitivity to ataxia-telangiectasia-and-Rad3-related (ATR) kinase inhibitors. We sought to investigate the in vivo activity of Elimusertib (BAY1895344), a novel ATR-inhibitor, against ATRX-mutated uLMS patient-derived xenografts (PDXs).METHODS:Two fully characterized uLMS (i.e., LEY-11 and LEY-16) were grafted into female CB-17/SCID mice. Treatments with control vehicle or BAY1895344 (20 mg/kg dosed twice daily 3 days on 4 days off) were given via oral gavage and tumor measurements as well as weights obtained twice weekly. Tumor volume differences were calculated with a two-way ANOVA. Mechanistic studies were performed ex vivo using BAY1895344 treated uLMS tumor samples by western blot analysis.RESULTS:Both PDX LEY-11 and PDX LEY-16 harboring ATRX gene mutations demonstrated an aggressive behavior in vivo (i.e., control mice were euthanized on average at day 12.5 for PDX LEY-11 and at day 33 for PDX LEY-16). In both tumor models BAY1895344 20 mg/kg dosed with an intermittent oral schedule was able to induce significant growth inhibition compared to vehicle control treatment (p < 0.001 for both LEY-11 and LEY-16) and prolong median overall survival [PDX LEY-11 (12.5 vs. 42 days, p < 0.001) and PDX LEY-16 (33 vs. 60 days, p < 0.001)]. There were not significant changes in weight between treatment and controls. By western blot assays BAY1895344 exposure decreased phosphorylated-ATR and increased expression of apoptotic molecules in LMS PDXs.CONCLUSIONS:BAY1895344 demonstrates promising in vivo activity against biologically aggressive PDX models of uLMS harboring ATRX mutations, with no significant toxicity. Clinical trials of BAY1895344 in uLMS patients are warranted.

Background. Carcinosarcoma of the ovary (OCS) and uterus (UCS) are rare highly aggressive malignancies. Ataxia-telangiectasia-and-Rad3-related (ATR) kinase and homologous recombination play a pivotal role in DNA damage repair. Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) has been demonstrated in >30% of OCS/ UCS. We investigated the preclinical activity of elimusertib, a selective ATR kinase inhibitor, against carcinosar-coma (CS) cell lines and xenografts.Methods. Sensitivity to elimusertib was evaluated in vitro against nine whole exome-sequenced (WES) pri-mary CS cell lines and in vivo against HRD CS xenografts. Western blots were performed to determine baseline ATR and p-ATR protein expression in CS, and ATR pathway downstream effectors and apoptosis markers in CS HRD cell lines after Elimusertib treatment.Results. Out of the 9 CS cell lines, 3 harbored HRD and 6 homologous recombination proficient (HRP) features. Most of CS (i.e., 7/9 = 85%) were found to be sensitive to Elimusertib in vitro. Among the 5 primary CS cell lines with a high-grade pure serous epithelial component, HRD cell lines were more sensitive to elimusertib than HRP tumors (mean IC50 +/- SEM HRD CS = 61.3 nM +/- 15.2 vs HRP = 361.6 nM +/- 24.4 (p = 0.01)). Baseline ATR and p-ATR protein expression was higher in HRD CS cell lines. Elimusertib showed tumor growth inhibition in HRD CS xenografts (p < 0.0001) and increased overall animal survival (p < 0.0001). Western blot demonstrated dose -dependent inhibition of ATR, p-ATR and its downstream effector p-CHK1, and a dose-dependent increase in caspase-3 expression.Conclusions. Elimusertib is preclinically active in vitro and in vivo against primary CS cell lines and xenografts, respectively. CS models harboring HRD or with pure/mixed endometrioid histology demonstrated higher sensi-tivity to ATR inhibition. Clinical trials with elimusertib in CS patients are warranted.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction. Ovarian cancer (OC) is associated with the highest gynecologic cancer mortality. The develop-ment of novel, effective combinations of targeted therapeutics remains an unmet medical need. We evaluated the preclinical efficacy of the Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor (olaparib) and the pan-ErbB inhib-itor (neratinib) as single agents and in combination in ovarian cancer cell lines and xenografts with variable HER2 expression.Methods. In vitro cell viability with olaparib, neratinib, and their combination was assessed using flow-cytometry based assays against a panel of OC primary cell lines with variable HER2 expression. Immunoblotting experiments were performed to elucidate the mechanism of activity and synergism. The in vivo antitumor activ-ity of the olaparib/neratinib combination versus single agents was tested in HER2 positive xenograft OC models. Results. HER2 + OC cell lines demonstrated higher sensitivity to olaparib and neratinib when compared to HER2 negative tumors (i.e., IC50: 2.06 +/- 0.33 JIM vs. 39.28 +/- 30.51 JIM, p = 0.0035 for olaparib and 19.42 +/- 2.63 nM vs. 235.0 +/- 165.0 nM, p = 0.0035 for neratinib). The combination of olaparib with neratinib was more potent when compared to single-agent olaparib or neratinib both in vitro and in vivo, and demonstrated synergy in all primary HER2 + OC models. Western blot experiments showed neratinib decreased pHER2/neu while increased Poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) enzymatic activity; olaparib increased pHER2/Neu expression and blocked PAR activatio. Olaparib/neratinib in combination decreased both pHER2/Neu as well as PAR activation.Conclusion. The combination of olaparib and neratinib is synergistic and endowed with remarkable preclinical activity against HER2+ ovarian cancers. This combination may represent a novel therapeutic option for ovarian cancer patients with HER2+, homologous recombination-proficient tumors resistant to chemotherapy.(c) 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc.

5599 Background: Despite recent advances, there remains a significant need for targeted, efficacious treatments for advanced and recurrent endometrial carcinoma (EC). Trop-2 has been demonstrated to be overexpressed in several EC including grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma (96%), and uterine serous carcinoma (65%). Trop-2 overexpression has been found to confer a worse prognosis and predicts disease recurrence. Sacituzumab govitecan-hziy (SG) is an antibody-drug conjugate comprised of a humanized anti-Trop-2 antibody conjugated with the active metabolite of irinotecan, a topoisomerase-I inhibitor. SG is currently FDA-approved for use in metastatic urothelial cancer and metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. Methods: We report results from the stage 1 of an open-label non-randomized phase 2 trial (NCT04251416) established to evaluate the clinical activity of SG in patients with persistent or recurrent EC of epithelial origin with Trop-2 overexpression. Criteria for study participation included radiographically confirmed and measurable persistent or recurrent EC, progression after or during platinum-based chemotherapy, and at least 2+ staining of Trop-2. One target lesion by RECIST v1.1 and adequate bone marrow, renal, and hepatic function were required. Patients were at least two weeks beyond prior treatment, major surgery, or high dose systemic corticosteroid use. Patients were given 10mg/kg of SG administered as an intravenous infusion once weekly on days 1 and 8 of 21-day treatment cycles. This 3-week cycle was continued without rest until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: Twenty-one patients were enrolled into stage 1. Ten patients (48%) had uterine serous carcinoma, seven (33%) had endometrioid adenocarcinoma, three (14%) had carcinosarcoma, and one patient had mixed serous and clear cell histology. All patients received at least one prior line of chemotherapy, (median 3 lines, range 1-6). At the time of submission, 20 patients were response-evaluable (Table); seven (35%) achieved objective response (5 out of 7 confirmed). Eighteen patients were evaluable for durable disease control; 7 (39%) achieved it. Follow-up durations had a median (IQR) of 15.6 (5.7–22.5) months. Median OS was 22.5 months, and median PFS was 5.7 months. The treatment was well-tolerated with no new or unexpected safety signals reported. Conclusions: Sacituzumab govitecan shows remarkable clinical activity against some of the most historically challenging and chemotherapy-resistant endometrial pathologies and demonstrates a favorable safety profile. With these promising results, we will begin the stage 2 expansion of this phase 2 trial. Clinical trial information: NCT04251416 . [Table: see text]

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment modality that aims to target the main site of tumor dissemination in ovarian cancer, the peritoneum, by combining the benefits of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with the synergistic effects of hyperthermia all during a single administration at the time of cytoreductive surgery. High-quality evidence currently only supports the use of HIPEC with cisplatin at the time of interval cytoreduction after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for stage III epithelial ovarian cancer. Many questions remain, including HIPEC's role at other timepoints in ovarian cancer treatment, who are optimal candidates, and specifics of HIPEC protocols. This article reviews the history of normothermic and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in ovarian cancer and evidence regarding HIPEC implementation and patient outcomes. Additionally, this review explores details of HIPEC technique and perioperative care, cost considerations, complication and quality of life data, disparities in HIPEC use, and unresolved issues.