#SGOmtg Twitter Highlights - Research Highlights Monday, March 26, 2018

Monday March 26th was another day of important presentations at the SGO Annual meeting. Some results may change treatment protocols going forward.

Here are the tweets I found of most importance.

Cervical Cancer - Minimally invasive surgery *this one may change how early cervical cancer is treated

Do we need to rethink minimally invasive surgery for cervix? #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/XTLgg5IO0t

— Erin Stevens (@erinstevensmd) March 26, 2018

Dr Raih Hain of @MDAndersonNews presenting surprising results- our patients with early #cervicalcancer have been doing worse since the adoption of min invasive surgery. Time to rethink practice at the #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/K3afaUynxe

— Dr. Robert Dood (@DrRobDood) March 26, 2018

Ovarian Cancer Debulking Surgery

No residual disease remains a goal of OvCa debulking surgery. Single site optimal improves PFD and OS as compared to multisite optimal or suboptimally debulked OVCA. Manning-Geist et al #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/KP0P9SeEAK

— Rick Boulay,MD (@journeycancer) March 26, 2018

Excellent talk on #ovariancancer surgery by @AnilSoodMD at the #SGOMtg @SGO_org @MDAndersonNews pic.twitter.com/IiXT5YbBG2

— Kathleen Schmeler MD (@kmschmeler) March 26, 2018

Ovarian Cancer - Niraparib and Pembrolizumab

Late Breaking Abstract: Dr. Konstatinopoulos presents results of niraparib and pemrolizumab combo in heavily pretreated platinum resistant ovarian cancer #SGOmtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/zWhSRVAhx4

— Annie Ellis (@Stigetta) March 26, 2018

Ovarian Cancer - Olaparib and Durvalumab

Olaparib + durvalumab ORR of 72% in plt sens recurrent #ovariancancer gBRCA pos patients #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/hio2vSVxmM

— Alpa Nick (@AlpaNick) March 26, 2018

Late Breaking Abstract session: Dr. Drew presents results of MEDIOLA basket trial of olaparib and durvalumab combo in relapsed BRCA+ platinum sensitive ovarian cancer #SGOmtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/lycZZlxYYR

— Annie Ellis (@Stigetta) March 26, 2018

 Ovarian Cancer- Metastasis and DDR2 experssion

M Greenwade presents work to understand stromal expression of DDR2 and control ovarian cancer metastasis #SGOmtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/wGE4w44Qaf

— Annie Ellis (@Stigetta) March 26, 2018

Palliative care

Palliative care: not just for end of life. New model includes life prolonging care from diagnosis. Very important for QoL throughout treatment and beyond! #SGOMtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/tyGDFxkACz

— Annie Ellis (@Stigetta) March 25, 2018

Survivorship / BMI and Risk

Endometrial cancer is one of the 3 obesity-driven cancers in women. Only 1% of #endometrial and #ovarian cancer patients are meeting the 2006 ACS guidelines for #cancersurvivors - Dr. Von Gruenigen #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/EAX08fQOqN

— Ali Saiz (@aulyouneedisluv) March 26, 2018

Fantastic sunrise seminar on survivorship! Survivors need to be empowered with information after front line treatment. Reduce risk and screen for secondary cancers. #sgomtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/OLyOW0E4lL

— Annie Ellis (@Stigetta) March 26, 2018

Lay navigation

Lay navigation (non clinical) for pts w/ gyn cancers. Navigation triggered via distress scores/risk factors, then triage pt to resources. Study: how did this service impact cost? 1052 patients; 37% navigated. Navigated pts=57% ⬇ in total costs & ⬇ in hospitalization#SGOmtg

— Erica Bednar (@EMBOSU) March 26, 2018

Granulosa Cell tumors

Excellent presentation by @RTylerHillmanMD identifying KMT2D mutations in granulosa cell tumors #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/EhcSeeq3ci

— Aaron Shafer (@aaronshafer99) March 26, 2018

@RTylerHillmanMD presents high quality sequencing used to identify KMT2D predicting recurrence in granulosa cell #ovariancancer @MDAndersonNews #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/imZZcpSYuz

— Dr. Robert Dood (@DrRobDood) March 26, 2018

Thanks Dr Dood, Erica Bednar, Annie Ellis, Ali Saiz, Alpa Nick, Rick Boulay, Erin Stevens and Kathleen Schmeler for sharing on Twitter during the meeting.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

#SGOmtg Twitter Highlights - Research Highlights Sunday March 25, 2018

Sunday was another busy day of information sharing at the SGO Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
Here are the topics that caught my eye while following the #SGOmtg hashtag.

Ovarian Cancer Maintenance Rucaparib - NOVA Study

#NOVA retrospective data show low wt & low baseline platelets associated w/ increased risk of Gr.3/4 thrombocytopenia w/ maintenance #rucaparib for #ovariancancer. #SGOmtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/JqSwALqoKR

— Deanna Teoh, M.D. (@DeannaTeoh) March 25, 2018

Ovarian Cancer - Niraparib and Cost effectiveness

#Niraparib maintenance for #ovariancancer not #costeffective unless drug cost drastically reduced. Need to advocate for #DecreasedDrugCosts. #SGOmtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/qwbGelJYgG

— Deanna Teoh, M.D. (@DeannaTeoh) March 25, 2018

Ovarian Cancer - Parp inhibitor and BRCA status

Beautiful study demonstrating higher value of #PARPi for #BRCA mutant #ovariancancer compared to wild type. It is important to consider #PrecisionMedicine when making treatment decisions. #SGOMtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/tgyvD5i4Dk

— Shannon Westin (@ShannonWestin) March 25, 2018

Endometrial Cancer GOG 86 P Predictive biomarkers of endometrial cancer

Slides for today’s #SGOmtg GOG-86P translational science presentation are available at: https://t.co/dXapOLGXce

— Douglas Levine MD (@levinemd) March 25, 2018

Endometrial Cancer PORTEC3

PORTEC 3: in chemo/RT vs RT, role in stage III, balance with toxicity. So many exciting results coming out at #SGOMtg #gyncsm #endometrialcancer pic.twitter.com/n6a58Vy71t

— Jolyn Taylor (@TaylorJolyn) March 25, 2018

PORTEC3: ChemoRT vs RT alone: 5y FFS 76v69% (sig) 5yOS 82v77% (NS) #SGOMtg (H/T @stigetta)

— Don S Dizon (@drdonsdizon) March 25, 2018

Endometrial - GOG 249

Dr. Marcus Randall discussing GOG 249 results: pelvic RT vs chemo/brachy similar RFS and OS; more acute toxicity in chemo arm, similar late tox #SGOMtg #gyncsm #endometrialcancer pic.twitter.com/cT4zbjoUbc

— Jolyn Taylor (@TaylorJolyn) March 25, 2018

Cervical Cancer - chemo /radiation

Improved DFI but not OS in locally advanced cervical cancer itrated with chemo/RT as compared to neoadjuvant chemo followed by surgery. Recommend chemo/Rt #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/3AhvmPAUcR

— Rick Boulay,MD (@journeycancer) March 25, 2018

Thank you to Rick Boulay,MD, Jolyn Taylor, Don S Dizon, Douglas Levine MD,  Shannon Westin and Deanna Teoh, M.D. for tweeting using the #SGOmtg hashtag so those of us following from a distance can learn.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

#SGOmtg Twitter Highlights - Research Highlights Saturday March 24, 2018

Here are a few highlights from the  SGO meeting from Saturday March 24, 2018. Tweets of physicians and advocates I follow concentrated on:

LACK OF GYN CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS

Excellent distillation! Importance of research funding for gyn cancers. Need better therapies! Address disparities! #sgomtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/Qu7QBNtQ35

— Annie Ellis (@Stigetta) March 24, 2018

Research for #ovariancancer #endometrialcancer and #cervicalcancer is grossly underfunded compared to #ProstateCancer - this is a disturbing trend for our patients. #SGOMtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/NfqGNF1h1w

— Shannon Westin (@ShannonWestin) March 24, 2018

GYN cancers severely under funded compared to other cancers in US. Need to demand more funding to cure gyn cancers! Great presentation by Dr Ryan Spencer. #SGOMtg @SGO_org @UWBadgers #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/BbCbiU6n88

— Joshua Garrett Cohen (@JCohenMD) March 24, 2018

OPIOID USE

This makes sense! Tailor your #opioid treatment based on the patient's use while admitted! This can help reduce the # prescribed and potentially impact the #OpioidEpidemic #SGOMtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/wRmECFVT6m

— Shannon Westin (@ShannonWestin) March 24, 2018

IMPROVED OS OF MINORITY PATIENTS IN CLINICAL TRIALS

Clinical trial enrollment improves overall survival in minority populations with gynecologic cancer. Pts benefit from clinical trials! Great presentation by Dr Patel from MCG @SGO_org @MCG_AUG #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/nN4SrXWNuM

— Joshua Garrett Cohen (@JCohenMD) March 24, 2018

Survival benefit for minorities enrolling on a clinical trial? More reason for trials! #SGOmtg #clinicaltrials pic.twitter.com/i4P6R0iDyn

— Erin Stevens (@erinstevensmd) March 24, 2018

EVEROLIMUS/LETROZOLE IN ENDOMETRIAL CANCER

Clinical benefit, PFS and OS were favored in the novel agent combination of everolimus/letrozole in #endometrialcancer - the PFS in chemonaive pts (21mo) appears to out perform Taxol/carboplatin! #SGOMtg #gyncsm

— Shannon Westin (@ShannonWestin) March 24, 2018

GOG244 LYMPHEDEMA STUDY

Important update on #Lymphedema incidence in Gyn cancer from the prospective GOG 244 study. There was no difference based on surgical technique. #SGOmtg #gyncsm pic.twitter.com/JQQxtPCqhB

— Shannon Westin (@ShannonWestin) March 24, 2018

COST AND PARP MAINTENANCE

Great talk by Dr Liu @CedarsSinai @UCLAJCCC on cost effectiveness of PARPi maintenance #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/PQlVPHPm2n

— Nicole D. Fleming MD (@nicoleflemingmd) March 24, 2018

CHECK POINT INHIBITOR SIDE EFFECTS

Intriguing higher rates of hepatitis & pancreatitis in patients with #ovariancancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors reported by Dr. Emily Hinchcliff at #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/escSdaZYxA

— Amir Jazaeri (@AmirJazaeri) March 24, 2018

Learn to manage immunotherapy related side effects now! Celestin Ballroom #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/VNFQRYNxlJ

— Kian Behbakht (@KbKian) March 24, 2018

SENTINEL LYMPH NODE IDENTIFICATION

ICG dye to identify SLN in open surgery for Gyn malignancy is superior to blue dye #sgomtg pic.twitter.com/ApzK9b3Vt8

— Rick Boulay,MD (@journeycancer) March 24, 2018

 It was exciting for me to see an advocate - Meg Gaines - present at the meeting. We are making progress.

Presidential Invited Speaker and ovarian cancer survivor Meg Gaines at the SGO Annual Meeting #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/Js9RLBCV4n

— SGO (@SGO_org) March 24, 2018

Thank you SGO, Amir Jazaeri, Rick Boulay MD, Kian Behbakht, Nicole D. Fleming MD, Shannon Westin, Erin Stevens, Joshua Garrett Cohen,  and Annie Ellis for tweeting from the meeting.


Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!

#SGOmtg Twitter Highlights - OCHeroes, Friday March 23, 2018

I was not able to attend the SGO Annual Meeting in New Orleans this year but I am following the meeting via Twitter.

Friday night was a special night because at a gala the first ever  OCHeroes award for those who increase awareness and advance research and education of ovarian cancer was presented by Cure Media Group and  sponsor Tesaro. This year the awards went to Laurel Rice, M.D, Carolyn Berson, RN, MSN, Susan Leighton, Sue Friedman, DVM. 

The Cure article on the event may be found here.

Here are some Tweets from the event.

Keynote speaker Patrick Dempsey at Cure Magazine Ovarian Cancer Heroes Dinner #SGOMtg pic.twitter.com/SlOvs9VdC3

— SGO (@SGO_org) March 24, 2018

“Susan is tireless and fearless.” - Regina Parker at #OCHeroes18 pic.twitter.com/qfCIBBKhzE

— CURE Magazine (@cure_magazine) March 24, 2018

Congrats2SGOPrez Laurel Rice on Ovarian Cancer Hero award! #SGOmtg pic.twitter.com/JmFsbE6aaN

— Carol Brown (@drcarolbrownMSK) March 24, 2018

“FORCE is a go to source thanks to Sue Friedman.” @FacingOurRisk #OCHeroes18 pic.twitter.com/MDgTDV4XWr

— CURE Magazine (@cure_magazine) March 24, 2018

We’d like to thank @cure_magazine for a fantastic event – as well as congratulate the Ovarian Cancer Heroes Award winners! Next up, #SGOMtg bright and early tomorrow morning. Follow us for updates during the conference! pic.twitter.com/XA78yXv3au

— TESARO, Inc. (@TESAROBIO) March 24, 2018

So good to see this amazing group of women honored for their dedication to research and finding a cure.

Check back over the next few days for more Twitter Highlights from the meetings sessions on March 24th and 25th.  

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! 

New Research : Biopsychosocial Distress Associated with Breast and Gynecologic Cancer

Last week I read this tweet.

GYN cancer pts may represent a group at greater risk of #distress Breast and GYN cancers reported different biopsychosocial needs
Happy that our paper is in the #PsychoOncology current issue https://t.co/mA7m2qXiK9 @BunnymomClark @Matthewloscalz1 @ejphilip & Richard @cityofhope pic.twitter.com/ruy6ITSu0k

— Cristiane D Bergerot (@crisbergerot) March 6, 2018

After tweeting questions about the study to  Dr Bergerot, she kindly shared with me the complete article.

Here are some details from the study.

This study was a retrospective quantitative study part of a larger study which took place at City of Hope. It used the City of Hope electronic screening device called You , Your Family and City of Hope are a Team that measures distress.The screening tool involved over 30 core questions and also asked participants their preferred method of assistance/support ( None, Written Info, Talk, Talk + Written Info).

There were 2111 breast cancer patients and 641 gynecologic cancer patients who took part in the study . Most gyn patients were late stage and older (M 57.17 yrs) than the breast cancer patients. There was no significant difference in their body mass.

The study found that gyn cancer patients reported higher problem-related distress compared to breast cancer patients in the following areas:

• fatigue
• pain
• walking or climbing stairs
• bowel movement/ constipation
• questions and fear of end of life
• feeling angry and irritable 
• needing practical help at home

Gyn cancer patients requested to Talk with a team member about the following issues at a higher level than breast cancer patients:

• understanding treatment options
• solving problems
• fear of medical procedures

Gyn patients also requested Written Information and Talk for at a higher level than breast cancer patients:

• side effects of treatments
• finances
• pain
• fatigue
• feeling anxious or fearful

The researchers found that having a gyn cancer and being diagnosed at a younger age were significant predictors of total distress.

In conclusion researchers found that gyn cancer patients had higher problem-related distress. They found no significant difference between cervical and ovarian cancers on the sum of  biopsychosocial problems, which shows they are both at high risk for distress.

It was also found that gyn cancer patients requested to talk to a member of their team more often than breast cancer patients. The authors stated that preexisting support for breast cancer patients may be the reason for lower requests from breast cancer patients.

While the study hypothesized that gyn cancer patients would represent a high-risk group for high levels of distress they did not expect that gyn cancer patients would required higher levels of assistance.  The article stated, "the computerized touch screen system may have facilitated the expression of needs and concerns despite cancer stigma: In research involving sensitive or embarrassing information, electronic questionnaires have been more accepted by patients and more sensi- tive than paper questionnaires." Age , race, education and annual income could also contribute to problem-related distress.

Source:

Bergerot CD, Clark KL, Obenchain R, Philip EJ, Loscalzo M. Breast and gynecological cancer patients' risk factors associated with biopsychosocial problem‐related distress. Psycho‐Oncology. 2018;27:1013–1020. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4607

 

 

In my 13 years as an ovarian cancer survivor I have seen some improvement in support of gyn cancer patients. There are more in-person gynecologic cancer support and networking groups, gynecologic cancer awareness organizations providing platforms online for peer support and more attention being given to gyn cancers symptoms during Gyn Cancer Awareness Month ( September).

But this study verifies that we need to understand that the needs of gyn cancer patients may be different and require different support than other women's cancers. 

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing! 

Ovarian Cancer Screening in Asymptomatic Women - USPSTF

In 2012, I wrote a blog post titled I Agree with the USPSTF  regarding the latest recommendation on screening asymptomatic women for ovarian cancer.

On February 13, 2018 the USPSTK released an updated recommendation.

The USPSTF recommends against screening for ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women.
This recommendation applies to asymptomatic women who are not known to have a high-risk hereditary cancer syndrome.
Grade: D 
(The USPSTF recommends against the service. There is moderate to high certainty the service has no net benefits or the harms outweigh the benefits.)

You can read the full recommendation here.

In the February 25th issue of the ASCO Post. Michael J. Barry, MD said "“Evidence shows that current screening methods do not prevent women from dying of ovarian cancer and that screening can lead to unnecessary surgery in women without cancer.”

Remember if you have a history of breast or ovarian cancer in your family these recommendations do NOT apply to you.

It is sad that in the past six years there is still no effective screening test for ovarian cancer that is both specific and sensitive to the disease. We still have a lot of work to do to help find a test that will find ovarian cancer at an early stage.

Dee
Every Day is a Blessing!