Cancer research presentations to annual professional society cover opioid use, minority risk factor for substandard care, patient communication and therapy advancements
Denver (August 7, 2017) – Continuing in its vital research efforts to improve cancer treatment and understanding, the University of Colorado Gynecologic Oncology division presented several cancer research studies at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s (SGO’s) annual meeting in March of this year.
The research topics included persistent opioid use months after treatment for cervical cancer, methods of handling challenging communication scenarios with patients, and the effects of medications and therapies in ovarian cancer and other gynecologic malignancies.
CU Gynecologic Oncology doctors and fellows also presented another important study at the annual meeting dealing with the high rate of minority women not being treated by gynecologic oncologists, which has been proven to reduce successful outcomes.
“The CU Gynecologic Oncology Division’s research was well represented at the annual meeting of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology this year. In this forum our research has the potential to impact not only our own current and future patients, but the patients of our national and international colleagues as well,” says Dr. Carolyn Lefkowits.
Following are short abstracts of the research studies CU Gynecologic Oncology physicians and fellows presented at the SGO meeting March 12-15, 2017.
A prospective, randomized, open-blinded endpoint (PROBE) trial for safety of oral apixaban vs. subcutaneous enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis in women with a suspected gynecologic malignancy (Featured Poster Session and Abstract Session)
CU participants: S. Guntupalli, J. Sheeder, G. Cheng, K. Behbakht, B. Corr, C. Lefkowits
Conclusion: Interim data suggest apixaban (an anticoagulant) is a safe alternative to standard therapy for postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis and has a higher patient satisfaction rate among women with gynecologic cancer. Final safety data collection is ongoing and will contribute to a randomized-controlled trial for noninferiority, designed to assess efficacy between therapies.
Effect of estrogen therapy on ovarian tumor cells treated with cisplatin (Poster Session)
CU participants: G. Cheng, C. Lefkowits, K. Behbakht
Conclusion: Our in vitro findings support clinical observations that estrogen may be used in treating menopausal symptoms in ovarian cancer. Furthermore, our data suggest that estrogen does not promote growth when used in the treatment of ovarian cancer and may induce apoptosis in platinum resistance. Our results add to the growing data on adjuvant hormone treatment in ovarian cancer.
Minority race is a significant risk factor for treatment by nongynecologic oncologists in women with pelvic malignancies (Poster Session)
CU participants: A. Ramzan, K. Behbakht, B. Corr, J. Sheeder and S. Guntupalli
Conclusions: The majority of gynecologic cancer cases are performed by gynecologic oncologists. Generalists are more likely to operate on minority patients and patients with less comorbidities. Given the improved oncologic outcomes when operated on by a gynecologic oncologist, further efforts to ensure access to specialized cancer care for all patients are needed.
“Ace of Database: Making Sense of Data” (Focused Plenary)
CU participants: S. Guntupalli served as a moderator for this meeting of all participants
Conclusion: This multicenter analysis indicates that surgical completion to no residual disease provides a survival advantage in patients with low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. Adjuvant platinum-based therapy was not associated with improved overall survival. Targeted therapies to the mitogenactivated kinase pathway and hormone-based therapy may be considered in these patients. Further subgroup and genomic analyses are planned to examine genomic alterations that may predict systemic response.
A phase III trial of maintenance therapy in women with advanced ovarian/fallopian tube/peritoneal cancer after a complete clinical response to first-line therapy: An NRG oncology study
CU participant: S. Guntupalli
Conclusion: Maintenance treatment with P or PP is associated with gastrointestinal and neurological adverse events, but neither study regimen provides an appreciable increase in the duration of overall survival.
Cervical cancer survivors have high rates of persistent opioid use at 6 months after radiation (Sunrise Seminar)
CU participants: A. Ramzan, J. Sheeder, C. Lefkowits
Conclusion: In our cohort of cervical cancer survivors, 28 percent were still using opioids at 6 months after completion of radiation. Risk factors for persistent use at 6 months overlap with known risk factors for opioid misuse. As we strive to balance opioid safety and efficacy, cervical cancer survivors with history of radiation, particularly those who are young or have history of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse, may benefit from incorporating nonopioid methods of pain control and additional support
Pilot Study of Communication Skills Training for Fellows and Advanced Practice (Critical Conversations in Gynecologic Oncology)
CU participant: C. Lefkowits
Conclusions: Participants felt strongly that the workshop provided high quality education that changed their clinical practice. As a result of the workshop, participants reported statistically significant, sustained improvement in preparedness to handle challenging communication scenarios. Communication skills training (CST) for non-gynecologic oncology (GO) providers is feasible, with high rates of perceived effectiveness and impact on clinical practice. Formal CST should be integrated into GO training.
About University of Colorado Gynecologic Oncology
University of Colorado Gynecologic Oncology (CU Gyn Onc) is dedicated to treating, curing and supporting women with gynecologic cancers or gynecological surgical needs, including the complex cases other doctors are not able to treat. CU Gyn Onc is the largest board-certified surgical gynecologic oncology team in Colorado and the only National Comprehensive Cancer Network center in the Rocky Mountain region. The practice is part of the University of Colorado Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and has locations at the CU Cancer Center in Aurora and at the Lone Tree Health Center. Learn more at Cancer.ColoradoWomensHealth.com.