Disparities in Cancer-Specific and Overall Survival in Black Women with Endometrial Cancer: A Medicare-SEER Study

PurposeData on endometrial cancer outcomes among immigrant women in the USA are lacking. The objective was to determine the effect of Caribbean nativity on outcomes in black women with endometrial cancer compared with women born in the USA, with attention paid to the effects of tumor grade, sociodemographic factors, and treatment approaches.MethodsA review of the institutional cancer registry was performed to identify black, non-Hispanic women with known nativity and treated for endometrial cancer between 2001 and 2017. Sociodemographic, treatment, and outcomes data were collected. Analyses were done using the χ2 test, Cox proportional hazards models, and the Kaplan–Meier method, with significance set at P<0.05.Results195 women were included in the analysis. High grade histologies were present in a large proportion of both US born (64.5%) and Caribbean born (72.2%) patients. Compared with US born women, those of Caribbean nativity were more likely to be non-smokers (P=0.01) and be uninsured (P=0.03). Caribbean born women had more cases of stage III disease (27.8% versus 12.5%, P<0.01), while carcinosarcoma was more common in US born black women (23.6% versus 10.6%, P=0.05). Caribbean nativity trended towards improvement in overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 0.65 (0.40–1.07)). Radiation (HR 0.53 (0.29–1.00)) was associated with improved survival while advanced stage (HR 3.81 (2.20–6.57)) and high grade histology (HR 2.34 (1.17–4.72)) were predictive of worse survival.ConclusionsThe prevalence of high grade endometrial cancer histologies among black women of Caribbean nativity is higher than previously reported. Caribbean nativity may be associated with improved overall survival although additional study is warranted.

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Uterine serous carcinoma: key advances and novel treatment approaches

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer ◽

10.1136/ijgc-2021-002753 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. ijgc-2021-002753

Author(s):

J Stuart Ferriss ◽

Britt K Erickson ◽

Ie-Ming Shih ◽

Amanda N Fader

Keyword(s):

Endometrial Cancer ◽

Black Women ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Molecular Genetic ◽

Serous Carcinoma ◽

Cancer Syndrome ◽

Her2 Positive ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

History Of ◽

Uterine Serous Carcinoma

The incidence and mortality rates from endometrial cancer continue to increase worldwide, while rates in most other cancers have either plateaued or declined considerably. Uterine serous carcinoma represents a fraction of all endometrial malignancies each year, yet this histology is responsible for nearly 40% of all endometrial cancer-related deaths. These deaths disproportionately affect black women, who have higher rates of advanced disease at diagnosis. Molecular genetic analyses reveal major alterations including TP53 mutation, PIK3CA mutation/amplification, ERBB2 amplification, CCNE1 amplification, FBXW7 mutation/deletion, PPP2R1A mutation, and somatic mutations involving homologous recombination genes. Clinical risk factors for uterine serous carcinoma include advancing age, a history of breast cancer, tamoxifen usage, and the hereditary breast–ovarian cancer syndrome. Surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment. Recent advances in our understanding of uterine serous carcinoma molecular drivers have led to development of targeted therapeutics that promise improved outcomes for patients. Overexpression or amplification of HER2 in uterine serous carcinoma carries a poor prognosis; yet this actionable target has led to the incorporation of several anti-HER2 therapies, including trastuzumab which, when added to conventional chemotherapy, is associated with improved survival for women with advanced and recurrent HER2-positive disease. The combination of pembrolizumab and lenvatinib is also a promising targeted treatment strategy for women with uterine serous carcinoma, with a recent phase II study suggesting a 50% response rate in women with recurrent disease. Several trials examining additional targeted agents are ongoing. Despite years of stalled progress, meaningful, tailored treatment options are emerging for patients with this uncommon and biologically aggressive endometrial cancer subtype.

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Survival in endometrial cancer in relation to minimally invasive surgery or open surgery – a Swedish Gynecologic Cancer Group (SweGCG) study

BMC Cancer ◽

10.1186/s12885-021-08289-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Christer Borgfeldt ◽

Erik Holmberg ◽

Janusz Marcickiewicz ◽

Karin Stålberg ◽

Bengt Tholander ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Overall Survival ◽

Endometrial Cancer ◽

Minimally Invasive ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Surgical Approach ◽

Open Surgery ◽

Gynecologic Cancer ◽

Multivariable Analysis ◽

Figo Stage

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to analyze overall survival in endometrial cancer patients’ FIGO stages I-III in relation to surgical approach; minimally invasive (MIS) or open surgery (laparotomy). Methods A population-based retrospective study of 7275 endometrial cancer patients included in the Swedish Quality Registry for Gynecologic Cancer diagnosed from 2010 to 2018. Cox proportional hazard models were used in univariable and multivariable survival analyses. Results In univariable analysis open surgery was associated with worse overall survival compared with MIS hazard ratio, HR, 1.39 (95% CI 1.18–1.63) while in the multivariable analysis, surgical approach (MIS vs open surgery) was not associated with overall survival after adjustment for known risk factors (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.95–1.32). Higher FIGO stage, non-endometrioid histology, non-diploid tumors, lymphovascular space invasion and increasing age were independent risk factors for overall survival. Conclusion The minimal invasive or open surgical approach did not show any impact on survival for patients with endometrial cancer stages I-III when known prognostic risk factors were included in the multivariable analyses.

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The Prognostic Role of LRIG Proteins in Endometrial Cancer

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13061361 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 1361

Author(s):

Zoia Razumova ◽

Husam Oda ◽

Igor Govorov ◽

Eva Lundin ◽

Ellinor Östensson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Endometrial Cancer ◽

Prognostic Factor ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Initial Study ◽

Surface Proteins ◽

University Hospital ◽

Study Cohort ◽

Risk Of Death

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in Sweden and it has various prognostic factors. The LRIG family is a group of three integral surface proteins with a similar domain organization. The study aimed to explore LRIG family as prognostic factor proteins in EC. The initial study cohort included 100 women with EC who were treated at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, between 2007 and 2012. We assessed the associations between LRIG protein expression and type, grade, and stage of EC, as well as progression-free and overall survival. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that most women in the analytical sample had >50% LRIG1-, LRIG2- and LRIG3-positive cells. A statistically significant association was observed between having a high number of LRIG3-positive cells and superior overall survival (incidence rate ratio = 0.977; 95% confidence interval: 0.958–0.996, p = 0.019). Moreover, positive LRIG3 staining of the cell membrane was associated with reducing in the risk of death (hazard ratio = 0.23; 95% confidence interval: 0.09–0.57). Our results show that LRIG3 expression might be a prognostic factor in EC. The role of LRIG1 and LRIG2 expression remains to be further investigated.

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Lymphadenectomy in Early-Stage Intermediate-/High-Risk Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes in an Australian Cohort

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer ◽

10.1097/igc.0000000000001039 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (7) ◽

pp. 1379-1386 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rhonda Farrell ◽

Suzanne C. Dixon ◽

Jonathan Carter ◽

Penny M. Webb

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Endometrial Cancer ◽

High Risk ◽

Adjuvant Treatment ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Early Stage ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Cancer Study ◽

Stage Ib ◽

Australian Cohort

ObjectiveThe role of lymphadenectomy (LND) in early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) remains controversial. Previous studies have included low-risk patients and nonendometrioid histologies for which LND may not be beneficial, whereas long-term morbidity after LND is unclear. In a large Australian cohort of women with clinical early-stage intermediate-/high-risk endometrioid EC, we analyzed the association of LND with clinicopathological characteristics, adjuvant treatment, survival, patterns of disease recurrence, and morbidity.Materials and MethodsFrom a larger prospective study (Australian National Endometrial Cancer Study), we analyzed data from 328 women with stage IA grade 3 (n = 63), stage IB grade 1 to 3 (n = 160), stage II grade 1 to 3 (n = 71), and stage IIIC1/2 grade 1 to 3 (n = 31/3) endometrioid EC. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. The association of LND with OS was assessed using Cox regression analysis adjusted for age, stage, grade, and adjuvant treatment. The association with risk of recurrent disease was analyzed using logistic regression adjusted for age, stage, and grade. Morbidity data were analyzed using χ2 tests.ResultsMedian follow-up was 45.8 months. Overall survival at 3 years was 93%. Lymphadenectomy was performed in 217 women (66%), 16% of this group having positive nodes. Median node count was 12. There were no significant differences in OS between LND and no LND groups, or by number of nodes removed. After excluding stage IB grade 1/2 tumors, there was no association between LND and OS among a “high-risk” group of 190 women with a positive node rate of 24%. However, a similar cohort (n = 71) of serous EC in the Australian National Endometrial Cancer Study had improved survival after LND. Women who underwent LND had significantly higher rates of critical events (5% vs 0%, P = 0.02) and lymphoedema (23% vs 4%, P < 0.0001).ConclusionsIn this cohort with early-stage intermediate-/high-risk endometrioid EC, LND did not improve survival but was associated with significantly increased morbidity.

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Long non-coding RNA DLEU2 drives EMT and glycolysis in endometrial cancer through HK2 by competitively binding with miR-455 and by modulating the EZH2/miR-181a pathway

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research ◽

10.1186/s13046-021-02018-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 40 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Peixin Dong ◽

Ying Xiong ◽

Yosuke Konno ◽

Kei Ihira ◽

Noriko Kobayashi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Endometrial Cancer ◽

Noncoding Rna ◽

Cancer Metastasis ◽

Human Cancer ◽

Aerobic Glycolysis ◽

Glycolytic Enzyme ◽

Poor Overall Survival ◽

Mesenchymal Transition ◽

Ec Cells

Abstract Background Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and aerobic glycolysis are fundamental processes implicated in cancer metastasis. Although increasing evidence demonstrates an association between EMT induction and enhanced aerobic glycolysis in human cancer, the mechanisms linking these two conditions in endometrial cancer (EC) cells remain poorly defined. Methods We characterized the role and molecular mechanism of the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase 2 (HK2) in mediating EMT and glycolysis and investigated how long noncoding RNA DLEU2 contributes to the stimulation of EMT and glycolysis via upregulation of HK2 expression. Results HK2 was highly expressed in EC tissues, and its expression was associated with poor overall survival. Overexpression of HK2 effectively promoted EMT phenotypes and enhanced aerobic glycolysis in EC cells via activating FAK and its downstream ERK1/2 signaling. Moreover, microRNA-455 (miR-455) served as a tumor suppressor by directly interacting with HK2 mRNA and inhibiting its expression. Furthermore, DLEU2 displayed a significantly higher expression in EC tissues, and increased DLEU2 expression was correlated with worse overall survival. DLEU2 acted as an upstream activator for HK2-induced EMT and glycolysis in EC cells through two distinct mechanisms: (i) DLEU2 induced HK2 expression by competitively binding with miR-455, and (ii) DLEU2 also interacted with EZH2 to silence a direct inhibitor of HK2, miR-181a. Conclusions This study identified DLEU2 as an upstream activator of HK2-driven EMT and glycolysis in EC cells and provided significant mechanistic insights for the potential treatment of EC.

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A Phase 2, Randomized, Open-Label Study of Irosustat Versus Megestrol Acetate in Advanced Endometrial Cancer

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer ◽

10.1097/igc.0000000000000862 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 258-266 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Patricia Pautier ◽

Ignace Vergote ◽

Florence Joly ◽

Bohuslav Melichar ◽

Elzbieta Kutarska ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Endometrial Cancer ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Confidence Interval ◽

Progression Free Survival ◽

Megestrol Acetate ◽

Phase 2 ◽

Open Label ◽

Free Survival ◽

Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

ObjectiveAdvanced/metastatic or recurrent endometrial cancer has a poor prognosis. Malignant endometrial tissue has high steroid sulphatase (STS) activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate STS as a therapeutic target in patients with endometrial cancer.MethodsThis was a phase 2, multicenter, international, open-label, randomized (1:1), 2-arm study of the STS inhibitor oral irosustat 40 mg/d versus oral megestrol acetate 160 mg/d in women with advanced/metastatic or recurrent estrogen receptor–positive endometrial cancer. The primary end point was the proportion of patients without progression or death 6 months after start of treatment. Secondary end points included progression-free survival, time to progression, overall survival, and safety.ResultsSeventy-one patients were treated (36 with irosustat, 35 with megestrol acetate). The study was prematurely stopped after futility analysis. Overall, 36.1% and 54.1% of patients receiving irosustat or megestrol acetate had not progressed or died at 6 months, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between irosustat and megestrol acetate in response and overall survival rates. Irosustat patients had a median progression-free survival of 16 weeks (90% confidence interval, 9.0–31.4) versus 40 weeks (90% confidence interval, 16.3–64.0) in megestrol acetate patients. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 20 (55.6%) and 13 (37.1%) patients receiving irosustat or megestrol, respectively. Most adverse events in both groups were grade 1 or 2.ConclusionsAlthough irosustat monotherapy did not attain a level of activity sufficient for further development in patients with advanced/recurrent endometrial cancer, this study confirms the activity of hormonal treatment (megestrol acetate) for this indication.

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Endometrial Cancer Lymphadenectomy Trial (ECLAT) (pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in patients with stage I or II endometrial cancer with high risk of recurrence; AGO-OP.6)

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer ◽

10.1136/ijgc-2021-002703 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 31 (7) ◽

pp. 1075-1079

Author(s):

Günter Emons ◽

Jae-Weon Kim ◽

Karin Weide ◽

Nikolaus de Gregorio ◽

Pauline Wimberger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Overall Survival ◽

Endometrial Cancer ◽

High Risk ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Left Renal Vein ◽

Stage I ◽

Open Label ◽

Risk Of Recurrence ◽

Gynecology And Obstetrics ◽

The Impact

BackgroundThe impact of comprehensive pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy on survival in patients with stage I or II endometrial cancer with a high risk of recurrence is not reliably documented. The side effects of this procedure, including lymphedema and lymph cysts, are evident.Primary ObjectiveEvaluation of the effect of comprehensive pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in the absence of bulky nodes on 5 year overall survival of patients with endometrial cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages I and II) and a high risk of recurrence.Study HypothesisComprehensive pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy will increase 5 year overall survival from 75% (no lymphadenectomy) to 83%, corresponding to a hazard ratio of 0.65.Trial DesignOpen label, randomized, controlled trial. In arm A, a total hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is performed. In arm B, in addition, a systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy up to the level of the left renal vein is performed. For all patients, vaginal brachytherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy (carboplatin/paclitaxel) are recommended.Major Inclusion CriteriaPatients with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer stages pT1b–pT2, all histological subtypes, and pT1a endometrioid G3, serous, clear cell, or carcinosarcomas can be included when bulky nodes are absent. When hysterectomy has already been performed (eg, for presumed low risk endometrial cancer), study participation is also possible.Exclusion CriteriaPatients with pT1a, G1 or 2 of type 1 histology or uterine sarcomas (except for carcinosarcomas), endometrial cancers of FIGO stage III or IV (except for microscopic lymph node metastases) or visual extrauterine disease.Primary EndpointOverall survival calculated from the date of randomization until death.Sample Size640 patients will be enrolled in the study.Estimated Dates for Completing Accrual and Presenting ResultsAt present, 252 patients have been recruited. Based on this, accrual should be completed in 2025. Results should be presented in 2031.Trial RegistrationNCT03438474.

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Intensive versus minimalist follow-up in patients treated for endometrial cancer: A multicentric randomized controlled trial (The TOTEM study—NCT00916708).

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.5506 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 5506-5506

Author(s):

Paolo Zola ◽

Giovannino Ciccone ◽

Elisa Piovano ◽

Luca Fuso ◽

Elena Peirano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Overall Survival ◽

Endometrial Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Randomized Controlled

5506 Background: Intensive follow-up in cancer patients, which absorbs a lot of health system resources and can be a source of increased stress for patients, are often proposed on the assumption that an early recognition of relapse will translate in better outcomes. In endometrial cancer few randomized controlled trials were conducted to assess the role of a reduced number of the scheduled visits and of different settings of the follow-up, but did not investigate the contribution of routine serum, cytological or imaging follow-up investigations in improving overall survival or quality of life. The TOTEM study was planned to compare an intensive (INT) vs minimalist (MIN) 5- year follow-up regimen in endometrial cancer patients in terms of overall survival (OS). Methods: Patients surgically treated for endometrial cancer, in complete clinical remission confirmed by imaging, FIGO stage I-IV, were stratified by center and in low (LoR) or high (HiR) risk of recurrence and then randomized to INT or MIN hospital-based follow-up regimens. The main study hypothesis was to demonstrate an improvement from 75% to 80% (expected hazard ratio, HR = 0.78) of the 5-year OS with the INT regimen. Secondary objectives were to compare relapse free survival (RFS), health-related quality of life (HRQL) assessed at baseline, at 6 and 12 months and then yearly (with the SF-12 Physical and Mental Health Summary Scale) and costs. Results: 1884 patients were randomized in 42 centers between 2008 and 2018, and 1847 patients were available for the final analysis (60% LoR). Compliance with the follow-up scheduled visits was 75.3%, similar between INT (74.7%) and MIN (75.9%) arms, whereas the mean number of recorded exams (laboratory or imaging) was markedly higher in the INT than in the MIN arms (9.7 vs 2.9, p < 0.0001). After a median follow-up of 66 months, the overall 5-year OS was 91.3%, 90.6% in the INT and 91.9% in the MIN arms, respectively (HR = 1.12, 95%CI 0.85-1.48, p = 0.429). Comparing the INT vs MIN arms, the 5-year OS were 94.1% and 96.8% (HR = 1.48, 0.92-2.37, p = 0.104) in the LoR and 85.3% and 84.7% (HR = 0.96, 0.68-1.36, p = 0.814) in the HiR group. No relevant differences emerged in RFS between INT and MIN regimens, (HR = 1.13, 0.87-1.48, p = 0.365). At the time of the relapse most women were asymptomatic (146/228, 64.0%), with a tendency of higher proportions in the INT than in the MIN arm, both in the LoR group (78.8% vs 61.1%, p = 0.070) and in the HiR one (64% vs 60%, p = 0.754). HRQL was available only for a subgroup of patients (50% at baseline) and did not differ between arms. Conclusions: Intensive follow-up in endometrial cancer treated patients showed a weak and uncertain advantage in detecting earlier asymptomatic relapses but did not improve OS, even in HiR patients, nor influenced HRQL. Frequent routine use of imaging and laboratory exams in these patients should be discouraged. Clinical trial information: NCT00916708.

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