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Introduction: HER2-positive breast cancer is considered aggressive, but due to the development of targeted drugs in the past 20 years, a substantial improvement of therapy results can be postulated. Proven evidence is provided by data of randomized clinical trials. The present study aimed at demonstrating the improvement of therapy results over time using single-center real world data. Material and Methods: In our center, we prospectively built a consecutive tumor and data base from 2000 to 2020 and identified patients with early HER2-positive breast cancer (n=396). The cohort was divided in four groups by year of diagnosis according to the changing therapy concepts: A) 2000-2004 (no HER2-directed therapy, n=83), B) 2005-2011 (trastuzumab, n=96), C) 2012-2017 (trastuzumab/pertuzumab, n=135), D) 2018-2020 (T-DM1 in patients with non-pCR), n=55). HER2 was measured by IHC and ISH corresponding to the ASCO-CAP guidelines. HER2-directed therapy was indicated according to the respective national guidelines (AGO). The median follow-up was 58 months in the entire cohort (1-266), group A 84 months (10-266), group B 94 months (2-201), group C 56 months (1-118), group D 32 months (8-53). The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and secondary endpoint was iDFS. Kaplan-Meier estimates were calculated and multivariate analyses were performed using SPSS 28 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Results: Overall, 57% of the 396 patients had an age of 50 years or more, 85% had a NST histology, 54% of the tumors were larger than 2cm, 45% were node-positive; 34% were steroid hormone receptor negative. HER2-directed therapy was delivered to 7 of 83 pts in group A (8.4%), to 62 of 96 pts in group B (64.6%), to 119 of 135 in group C (88.15%), and to 50 of 55 pts in group D (90.91%), resp.. Overall, in the first 3 years we observed 19 deaths and the probability for OS was 89.7 % for group A, 92.2 % for group B, 96.4 % for group C and 100% for group D, resp.; iDFS was 77.4% in A, 86.8% in B, 94.9% in C and 95.2% in D, resp.. After adjustment for nodal status, grading and steroid hormone receptor status, we calculated the effect size of the incremental improvement of treatment for OS and iDFS as HRs referred to group A (Table 1). Conclusion: With this prospectively established single center cohort, we are able to confirm a significant improvement of the treatment results in patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer over the last 20 years applying individualized HER2-directed therapies. Table 1. Multivariate analyses of OS and iDFS adjusted for nodal status, grading and hormone receptor status. Citation Format: Christoph Thomssen, Julia Engel, Kristin Reinhardt, Hans-Georg Strauß, Regina Große, Susanne Barrot, Marcus Bauer, Lisa van Uden, Sandy Kaufhold, Kathleen Schüler, Vanessa Wieder, Eva J. Kantelhardt, Martina Vetter. HER2-directed therapy in early breast cancer – improvement over 20 years [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-11.

Purpose: This study aimed to report the uptake of hysterectomy and/or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) to prevent gynaecological cancers (risk-reducing surgery [RRS]) in carriers of pathogenic MMR (path_MMR) variants.Methods: The Prospective Lynch Syndrome Database (PLSD) was used to investigate RRS by a cross-sectional study in 2292 female path_MMR carriers aged 30-69 years.Results: Overall, 144, 79, and 517 carriers underwent risk-reducing hysterectomy, BSO, or both combined, respectively. Two-thirds of procedures before 50 years of age were combined hysterectomy and BSO, and 81% of all procedures included BSO. Risk-reducing hysterectomy was performed before age 50 years in 28%, 25%, 15%, and 9%, and BSO in 26%, 25%, 14% and 13% of path_MLH1, path_MSH2, path_MSH6, and path_PMS2 carriers, respectively. Before 50 years of age, 107 of 188 (57%) BSO and 126 of 204 (62%) hysterectomies were performed in women without any prior cancer, and only 5% (20/392) were performed simultaneously with colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery.Conclusion: Uptake of RRS before 50 years of age was low, and RRS was rarely undertaken in association with surgical treatment of CRC. Uptake of RRS aligned poorly with gene-and age-associated risk estimates for endometrial or ovarian cancer that were published recently from PLSD and did not correspond well with current clinical guidelines. The reasons should be clarified. Decision-making on opting for or against RRS and its timing should be better aligned with predicted risk and mortality for endometrial and ovarian cancer in Lynch syn-drome to improve outcomes. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Background: Although quantification of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has become of increasing interest in immuno-oncology, only little is known about TILs infiltration in the tumor microenvironment and its predictive value in vulvar cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry and automated digital image analysis was applied to measure the densities of CD3+ (DAKO, #IR503) and CD8+ (DAKO, #IR623) TILs at the invasive margin and in the center of 530 vulvar squamous cell cancers. Results: An elevated density of CD3+ T-cell at the invasive margin was significantly associated with low tumor stage (p = 0.0012) and prolonged survival (overall survival [OS] p = 0.0027, progression free survival [PFS] p = 0.024) and was independent from tumor stage, nodal stage, grade, and HPV-status in multivariate analysis (p < 0.05). The prognostic impact of CD3+ cells in the center of the tumor was weaker compared to the invasive margin (OS p = 0.046, PFS p = 0.031) and lacking for CD8+ T-cell densities at any location (p ≥ 0.14 each). Unsupervised clustering of CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell densities identified three major subgroups corresponding to the immune desert (137 patients), immune excluded (220 patients) and immune inflamed phenotypes (133 patients). Survival analysis revealed a particular poor prognosis for the immune desert phenotype for OS (p = 0.0071) and PFS (p = 0.0027). Conclusion: Our data demonstrate a high prognostic value of CD3+ T-cells at the invasive margin and immune phenotypes in vulvar squamous cell cancer.

5599 Background: Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the cancer microenvironment are of prognostic value in many solid tumors. However, only little is known about TILs infiltration and its predictive value in vulvar cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry and automated digital image analysis was applied to measure the densities of CD3+ (DAKO, Santa Clara, US; #IR503) and CD8+ (DAKO, Santa Clara, US; #IR623) TILs at the invasive margin (IM) and in the center of 530 vulvar carcinomas. Results: At the IM the mean immune cell density was significantly higher compared to the center of the tumor (CD3: 1772±1105, CD8: 769±644 cells/mm2 vs. CD3: 518±570, CD8: 301±445 cells/mm2, p≤0.0001). An elevated density of CD3+ T-cell at the IM was significantly associated with low tumor stage (p = 0.0012). The 2-years OS and PFS rate was significantly different between the group with a high (OS: 82%, PFS: 65%), moderate (OS: 76%, PFS: 55%), or low CD3+ T-cell density at the IM (OS: 64%, p = 0.008, PFS: 44%, p = 0.02). The prognostic impact of CD3+ cells in the center of the tumor was weaker compared to the IM (OS p = 0.046, PPS p = 0.031) and lacking for CD8+ T-cell densities at any location (p≥0.14 each). Unsupervised clustering of CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell densities identified three major subgroups corresponding to the immune desert (137 patients), immune excluded (220 patients) and immune inflamed phenotypes (133 patients). Survival analysis revealed a particular poor prognosis for the immune desert phenotype for OS (0.0071) and PFS (0.0027). Conclusions: This study demonstrates a prognostical relevance of the immunphenotype and the distribution of CD3+ T-cells in vulvar cancer. Their value for therapeutic decision making has to be determined in the future.

e17630 Background: Gynecological sarcomas (GS) are orphan diseases associated with poor prognosis. With the aim to improve our understanding of GS, the German registry for gynecological sarcoma (REGSA) prospectively recorded patients’ data with GS treated in real-life clinical practice at initial diagnosis and the time of relapse. Herein, we present the analysis of demographic and epidemiological data of patients with GS at the time of initial diagnosis. Methods: An exploratory analysis among different histological subtypes of GS was performed and patients’ data were compared to data of the healthy standard population. We analyzed the following variables: age, body mass index (BMI), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, ethnicity, lifestyle habits, pregnancies, and comorbidities. Results: Data of 389 patients with GS were descriptively evaluated. Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) was the most common histological subtype (47.3%), followed by low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS; 17.7%), high-grade ESS (HG-ESS; 10.4%), adenosarcoma (AS; 9.1%) and undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (UUS; 6.2%). Overall, 9.4% of all GS were classified as “other” rarer histological subtypes. The mean age of patients was 57.4 years. The youngest were the patients with LG-ESS (54.3 years), whereas patients with AS were the oldest ones (61.7 years). There were no statistically significant differences in average age nor in BMI among patients with different histological subtypes of GS. In contrast, compared to the standard population, the BMI of patients with GS was significantly higher (27.5 kg/m² vs 25.1 kg/m², p< 0.001). Overall, 70.7% of all patients with LMS had FIGO stage I or II. Therefore, it is not surprising that most of patients had ECOG performance status 0 (68.3%). According to the countries of recruitment (i.e. Germany, Austria, Switzerland), 92.8% of patients were Caucasian. REGSA patients were less likely to be smokers compared to the national average of German women (13.4% vs 18.6%). One or two births per patient were reported in 58.2% of patients. In comparison the current birth ratio in Germany is approximately 1.5 children per woman. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity as observed in 33.2% of all cases, followed by thyroid diseases (18.6%). The prevalence of hypertension in the German female standard population is approximately 30% and approximately every third person will be affected by thyroid diseases in their lifetime. Conclusions: REGSA data showed no statistically significant differences in terms of demographic variables between different histological subtypes of GS, whereas statistically significant difference such as BMI was identified as compared to the standard population. Further research is needed to specify risk factors of GS in order to promote primary prevention of this fatal disease.

Cervical malignancy is triggered by human papillomavirus infection but the risk for cervical cancer has a hereditary component. From a recent Genome Wide Association Study meta‐analysis, 2q14.1 (PAX8) and 6p21.32 (PBX2) have been proposed as novel cervical cancer susceptibility loci. We investigated the two main signals at these loci in an independent case‐control series of 2578 cases with cervical dysplasia or carcinoma and 1483 healthy females. We find significant associations for both variants, rs10175462 at PAX8 and rs2856437 at PBX2, with overall cervical disease (rs10175462: odds ratio [OR] 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.74‐0.91, P = 2.4 × 10−4; rs2856437: OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.14‐2.02, P = .004). Both variants showed evidence of association with invasive squamous cervical cancer (rs10175462: OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68‐0.94, P = .006; rs2856437: OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.03‐2.36, P = .036) and with high‐grade dysplasia (rs10175462: OR 0.79, 95%CI 0.70‐0.90, P = 1.9 × 10−4; rs2856437: OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.15‐2.17, P = .005). A combined analysis of high‐grade dysplasia and invasive cervical cancer also showed significant associations for both variants (rs10175462: OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.73‐0.91, P = 2.4 × 10−4; rs2856437: OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.18‐2.10, P = .002). No association was detected for rs2856437 with low‐grade dysplasia, while rs10175462 showed weak evidence of association (P = .05). RNA analyses in cervical samples revealed that PAX8 transcripts were upregulated in HPV‐positive lesions (P = .008) but this was not observed in the presence of the protective minor allele of rs10175462. The rs10175462 genotype also correlated with reduced levels of the lncRNA PAX8‐AS1 (P

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a hallmark of aggressive, mesenchymal-like high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HG-SOC). The SRC kinase is a key driver of cancer-associated EMT promoting adherens junction (AJ) disassembly by phosphorylation-driven internalization and degradation of AJ proteins. Here we show, that the IGF2 mRNA binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) is up-regulated in mesenchymal-like HG-SOC and promotes SRC activation by a previously unknown protein-ligand-induced, but RNA-independent mechanism. IGF2BP1-driven invasive growth of ovarian cancer cells essentially relies on the SRC-dependent disassembly of AJs. Concomitantly, IGF2BP1 enhances ERK2 expression in a RNA-binding dependent manner. Together this reveals a post-transcriptional mechanism of interconnected stimulation of SRC/ERK signaling in ovarian cancer cells. The IGF2BP1-SRC/ERK2 axis is targetable by the SRC-inhibitor saracatinib and MEK-inhibitor selumetinib. However, due to IGF2BP1-directed stimulation only combinatorial treatment effectively overcomes the IGF2BP1-promoted invasive growth in 3D culture conditions as well as intraperitoneal mouse models. In conclusion, we reveal an unexpected role of IGF2BP1 in enhancing SRC/MAPK-driven invasive growth of ovarian cancer cells. This provides a rational for the therapeutic benefit of combinatorial SRC/MEK inhibition in mesenchymal-like HG-SOC.Graphical Abstract

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) locus on chromosome 6 has been reported to be associated with cervical cancer. We investigated two independent single-nucleotide polymorphisms in a large case-control series of cervical dysplasia and carcinoma that has been newly established by the German Cervigen Consortium, comprising a total of 2481 cases and 1556 healthy females. We find significant associations for both variants, rs9272117 at HLA-DQA1 and rs2844511 at MICA and HCP5, with cervical disease. Both variants showed evidence of association with invasive cervical cancer (rs9272117: OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.79-0.99, P = .036; rs2844511: OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.04-1.31, P = .008) and with high-grade dysplasia (rs9272117: OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.70-0.87, P = 7.1 × 10-6 ; rs2844511: OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.26, P = .035), as well as in a combined analysis of both groups (rs9272117: OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.75-0.91, P = 6.9 × 10-5 ; rs2844511: OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04-1.26, P = .005). Variant rs2844511, but not rs9272117, also showed modest evidence of association with low-grade dysplasia (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04-1.54, P = .019). In case-only analyses, rs2844511 tended to predict HPV status (P = .044) and rs9272117 tended to associate with HPV16 (P = .022). RNA studies in cervical samples showed a significant correlation in the transcript levels of MICA, HCP5 and HLA-DQA1, suggesting extensive co-regulation. All three genes were upregulated in HPV16-positive samples. In stratified analyses, rs9272117 was associated with HLA-DQA1 levels, specifically in HPV-positive samples, while rs2844511 was associated with MICA and HCP5 levels. The risk allele of rs2844511 was required for correlations between MICA or HCP5 with HLA-DQA1. Altogether, our results support 6p21.32-33 as the first consistent cervical cancer susceptibility locus and provide evidence for a link between genetic risk variants, HPV16 status and transcript levels of HLA-DQA1, HCP5 and MICA, which may contribute to tumor immune evasion.

6090 Background: Despite an increasing incidence with simultaneous decreasing age of onset, the impact of age on prognosis and treatment patterns in primary squamous cell vulvar cancer (VSCC) has not extensively been studied yet. Methods: This is a subgroup analysis of the AGO-CaRE-1 study. Patients (pts) with VSCC (FIGO stage ≥1B), treated at 29 cancer centers in Germany from 1998-2008, were included in a centralized database (n = 1618). In this subgroup analysis pts were analyzed according to age ( < 50yrs (n = 220), 50–69yrs (n = 506), ≥70yrs (n = 521)) with regard to treatment patterns and prognosis. Only pts with documented age, surgical groin staging and known nodal status were included (n = 1247). Median follow-up was 27.5 months. Results: At first diagnosis, women ≥70yrs presented with more advanced tumor stages ( < 0.001), larger tumor diameter ( < 0.001), poorer ECOG status ( < 0.001), higher tumor grading (0.048), as well as a higher rate of nodal involvement ( < 0.001). Older women ≥70yrs showed more commonly HPV negative tumors compared to the other age groups (54% vs. 36.5% in < 50yrs vs. 47.9% in 50-69yrs, p = 0.03). Disease recurrence occurred significantly more often in elderly women (48% vs. 21% in < 50yrs vs. 37.4% in 50-69yrs, p = 0.001). Particularly isolated vulvar recurrence was more frequent in the elderly in comparison to the younger groups (18.2% vs. 15.2% in 50-69yrs vs. 12.7% in < 50yrs, p = 0.001). Age was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (DFS) (HR: 1.7, 95%CI: 1.24-2.46, p = 0.001) with 2-year DFS being 81.1% (< 50yrs), 65.8% (50–69yrs), and 59.3% (≥70yrs), respectively. Elderly women (age group ≥70) had a 221% higher risk for death or recurrence, compared to the youngest group (HR: 3.21, p < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis ECOG, tumor stage, grading, and receipt of (chemo)radiation were further independent prognostic factors for recurrence. Conclusions: Older women with VSCC present with advanced tumor stages at first diagnosis and have an increased risk of recurrence as well as a decreased 2-year PFS in comparison to younger pts groups. Potential reasons for delayed time of diagnosis could be self-awareness and/or more aggressive tumor biology due to HPV negative disease.

The tumor-suppressive let-7 microRNA family targets various oncogene-encoding mRNAs. We identify the let-7 targets HMGA2, LIN28B and IGF2BP1 to form a let-7 antagonizing self-promoting oncogenic triangle. Surprisingly, 3'-end processing of IGF2BP1 mRNAs is unaltered in aggressive cancers and tumor-derived cells although IGF2BP1 synthesis was proposed to escape let-7 attack by APA-dependent (alternative polyadenylation) 3' UTR shortening. However, the expression of the triangle factors is inversely correlated with let-7 levels and promoted by LIN28B impairing let-7 biogenesis. Moreover, IGF2BP1 enhances the expression of all triangle factors by recruiting the respective mRNAs in mRNPs lacking AGO proteins and let-7 miRNAs. This indicates that the downregulation of let-7, largely facilitated by LIN28B upregulation, and the protection of let-7 target mRNAs by IGF2BP1-directed shielding in mRNPs synergize in enhancing the expression of triangle factors. The oncogenic potential of this triangle was confirmed in ovarian cancer (OC)-derived ES-2 cells transduced with let-7 targeting decoys. In these, the depletion of HMGA2 only diminishes tumor cell growth under permissive conditions. The depletion of LIN28B and more prominently IGF2BP1 severely impairs tumor cell viability, self-renewal and 2D as well as 3D migration. In conclusion, this suggests the targeting of the HMGA2-LIN28B-IGF2BP1 triangle as a promising strategy in cancer treatment.

e17130 Background: Obesity is associated with worse patients’ survival in several cancer entities. Vulvar cancer as well as obesity show increasing incidence over the last years. The influence of obesity on prognosis of vulvar cancer patients is not clear. However, knowledge about this may have consequences on prevention, treatment, and follow-up. Methods: This is an analysis of the large AGO-CaRE-1 study. Patients suffering from squamous cell vulvar cancer (UICC stage IB and higher), treated in 29 cancer centers between 1998 and 2008, were categorized in a database, in order to analyze treatment patterns and prognostic factors in a retrospective setting. Results: In total, 849 patients with documented height and weight were divided into two groups depending on their body mass index (BMI, < 30 vs. ≥30 kg/m²). There was no difference in the baseline variables (age, tumor diameter, depth of infiltration, tumor stage, nodal invasion, tumor grade) between both groups (p > 0.05). However, we identified differences regarding ECOG status and preexistent comorbidities (cardiovascular, dementia) towards healthier patients with BMI < 30 kg/m². Treatment variables (R0 resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, continuation of adjuvant therapy) did not differ (p > 0.05). Patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m² underwent radical vulvectomy more often (61.1 % vs. 51.8%, p = 0.042). During follow-up, there was a higher recurrence rate in the group having a BMI ≥30 kg/m² (43.4%, vs. 28.3%, p < 0.01) due to an increased rate of local recurrences (33.3% vs. 18.5%, p < 0.01). The rate of groin and distant recurrences was similar between both groups (p > 0.05). Noteworthy, we observed a significantly shorter disease free survival (DSF) of the obese patients in univariate analysis (HR 1.362, 95%CI 1.093-1.696, p = 0.006). Even in multivariate Cox-regression analysis including age, ECOG, tumor stage, type of surgery, nodal invasion, tumor grade, and comorbidities patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m² had a significantly shorter DFS (HR 1.811, 95%CI 1.005-3.262, p = 0.048). Conclusions: In this first large study about the association between obesity and prognosis of vulvar cancer patients, we observed that a BMI ≥30kg/m² was associated with shorter DFS, mainly attributed to a higher risk for local recurrence.

5592 Background: Currently, there are two major pathways for tumorigenesis of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) – an HPV-dependent with p16 overexpression as a surrogate for HPV-associated transformation and an HPV-independent route linked to lichen sclerosus, characterized by p53 mutation. A possible correlation of HPV dependency with a favourable prognosis has been proposed. Methods: The AGO CaRE-1 study is a retrospective survey of pts with primary VSCC FIGO stage ≥1B (UICC-TNM version 6) treated at 29 gynecologic cancer centers in Germany 1998-2008 (n = 1,618). For this CaRE-translational sub-study available FFPE tissue was collected centrally (n = 648). A tissue micro array (TMA) was constructed; p16 and p53 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). HPV status and subtype were analyzed by PCR. Results: p16 IHC was interpretable in 550 TMA spots and considered positive in 166/550 (30.2%). HPV DNA was detected in 78.4% of the p16+ tumors, with HPV 16 being the most common subtype (88.3%) . Pts with p16+ tumors were younger at diagnosis (63 vs. 70 yrs for p16- tumors; p = 0 < 0.01) and showed lower rates of lymph-node involvement (29.0% vs. 39.7%; p = 0.021). p53 IHC was interpretable in 597 spots, 187/597 (31.3%) were considered positive. Pts with p53+ tumors were older at first diagnosis (71 vs. 66 yrs; p = 0.001 for p53- tumors) and showed lymph-node involvement more often (43.3% vs. 31.1%; p = 0.007). There was a relevant number of tumors with neither p16 nor p53 overexpression (221/535); while co-expression of p53 and p16 was rare (12/535). For survival analyses, three groups were defined: p53+ (n = 163), p16+/p53- (n = 151) and p16-/p53- (n = 221). 2-y-disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were significantly different between the groups: DFS: p53+ 47.0%; p16-/p53- 53% and p16+/p53- 65.5% (p < 0.001); OS: 70.4%, 72.6% and 82.7% (p = 0.003), respectively. Adjustment for age and nodal status showed consistent p16 and p53 effects regarding DFS. Conclusions: p16 overexpression is associated with an improved prognosis in VSCC while p53 positivity is linked to an adverse outcome. Our data provide evidence of a clinically relevant third subgroup of VSCC with a p53-/p16- phenotype showing an intermediate prognosis that needs to be further characterized.

Background Borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs) are recognised as a unique entity of ovarian tumours that do not exert infiltrative destructive growth or stromal invasion. Prognosis of BOT is much better compared to the more common invasive epithelial ovarian cancer. Information regarding prognostic factors is inconclusive and no prospective studies exist that evaluate therapeutic strategies. We therefore started a retrospective–prospective cohort study to better understand BOT and identify scenarios in which future studies could be developed. Methods Consecutive patients with BOT treated between 1998 and 2008 in 24 German centres were analysed. The retrospective part of the study retrieved patients’ data from hospital records and clinical tumour registries while active follow-up and an independent central pathology review were carried out prospectively. Findings BOT was confirmed in 950 patients, two thirds had serous BOT and 30.5% mucinous BOT. Most were diagnosed in stage I (82.3%); 7.6% and 10.1% had stages II and III, respectively. Overall, 74 patients (7.8%) experienced relapse and 43 (4.5%) died within the observation period. Multivariate analysis revealed higher stage, incomplete staging, tumour residuals, and organ preservation as independent prognostic factors for disease recurrence. Neither microinvasion nor micropapillary growth pattern showed any significant impact. Of 74 relapsed patients, 30% had malignant transformation to invasive ovarian cancer with five-year progression-free survival and overall survival of 12% and 50%, respectively. Interpretation Prognosis of BOT correlates with tumour-related as well as surgery-related factors. The balance between recurrence risk and organ preservation and fertility-sparing surgery is an important issue deserving further research.

Aim of the study: A tumour-free pathological resection margin of >= 8 mm is considered state-of-the-art. Available evidence is based on heterogeneous cohorts. This study was designed to clarify the relevance of the resection margin for loco-regional control in vulvar cancer.Methods: AGO-CaRE-1 is a large retrospective study. Patients (n = 1618) with vulvar cancer >= FIGO stage IB treated at 29 German gynecologic-cancer-centres 1998-2008 were included. This subgroup analysis focuses on solely surgically treated node-negative patients with complete tumour resection (n = 289).Results: Of the 289 analysed patients, 141 (48.8%) had pT1b, 140 (48.4%) pT2 and 8 (2.8%) pT3 tumours. One hundred twenty-five (43.3%) underwent complete vulvectomy, 127 (43.9%) partial vulvectomy and 37 (12.8%) radical local excision. The median minimal resection margin was 5 mm (1 mm-33 mm); all patients received groin staging, in 86.5% with full dissection. Median follow-up was 35.1 months. 46 (15.9%) patients developed recurrence, thereof 34 (11.8%) at the vulva, after a median of 18.3 months. Vulvar recurrence rates were 12.6% in patients with a margin = 8 mm. When analysed as a continuous variable, the margin distance had no statistically significant impact on local recurrence (HR per mm increase: 0.930, 95% CI: 0.849-1.020; p=0.125). Multivariate analyses did also not reveal a significant association between the margin and local recurrence neither when analysed as continuous variable nor categorically based on the 8 mm cutoff. Results were consistent when looking at disease-free-survival and time-to-recurrence at any site (HR per mm increase: 0.949, 95% CI: 0.864-1.041; p = 0.267).Conclusions: The need for a minimal margin of 8 mm could not be confirmed in the large and homogeneous node-negative cohort of the AGO-CaRE database. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is active in recurrent platinum-refractory ovarian and peritoneal cancer as demonstrated in a prospective-randomized trial. Dose-limiting toxicity in the US Food and Drug Administration-approved application schedule of PLD (50 mg/m2 every 4 weeks) was serious palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia (PPE). This phase II trial was aimed at reduction of the frequency of serious PPE without loss of efficacy by modifying both the application schedule and the total dose of PLD administered as palliative single-agent chemotherapy. Fifty patients were enrolled into this phase II trial. PLD was given via 30-min intravenous infusion at a dose of 20 mg/m2 every 2 weeks. Primary endpoint of the trial was the best response to chemotherapy. Secondary goals were progression-free survival, overall survival, and toxicity. Four complete responses and 16 partial responses were found resulting in an overall best response rate of 40.0%. The median progression-free survival in the intention-to-treat-population was 4.1 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.8-5.4 months], whereas the overall survival was 16.5 months (95% CI, 12.3-20.7 months). Although 17 (34.0%) patients developed some PPE, only one progressed to grade 3 (NCI-CTC version 2.0; 1998). No grade 4 toxicity occurred. PLD 20 mg/m2 biweekly is highly active in patients with recurrent platinum-refractory ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The frequency of grade 3 and grade 4 PPE was remarkably reduced in this trial, as compared with the frequency of serious PPE observed in patients who were administered the dose schedule of 50 mg/m2 every 4 weeks.

Background: Women with node-positive vulvar cancer have a high risk for disease recurrence. Indication criteria for adjuvant radiotherapy are controversial. This study was designed to further understand the role of adjuvant therapy in node-positive disease. Methods: Patients with primary squamous-cell vulvar cancer treated at 29 gynecologic cancer centers in Germany from 1998 through 2008 were included in this retrospective exploratory multicenter cohort study. Of 1618 documented patients, 1249 had surgical groin staging and known lymph node status and were further analyzed. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results: Four hundred forty-seven of 1249 patients (35.8%) had lymph node metastases (N+). The majority of N+ patients had one (172 [38.5%]) or two (102 [22.8%]) positive nodes. The three-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate of N+ patients was 35.2%, and the overall survival (OS) rate 56.2% compared with 75.2% and 90.2% in node-negative patients (N-). Two hundred forty-four (54.6%) N+ patients had adjuvant therapy, of which 183 (40.9%) had radiotherapy directed at the groins (+/-other fields). Three-year PFS and OS rates in these patients were better compared with N+ patients without adjuvant treatment (PFS: 39.6% vs 25.9%, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI[= 0.51 to 0.88, P = .004; OS: 57.7% vs 51.4%, HR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.56 to 1.11, P = .17). This effect was statistically significant in multivariable analysis adjusted for age, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group, Union internationale contre le cancer stage, grade, invasion depth, and number of positive nodes (PFS: HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.43 to 0.78, P < .001; OS: HR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.43 to 0.91, P = .01). Conclusion: This large multicenter study in vulvar cancer observed that adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with improved prognosis in node-positive patients and will hopefully help to overcome concerns regarding adjuvant treatment. However, outcome after adjuvant radiotherapy remains poor compared with node-negative patients. Adjuvant chemoradiation could be a possible strategy to improve therapy because it is superior to radiotherapy alone in other squamous cell carcinomas.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively examine whether the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen tumour marker in the serum has prognostic significance in operable SCC of the cervix at the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages IA2-IIB. A total of 129 patients who had undergone a radical hysterectomy for SCC of the uterine cervix at the Department of Gynecology of the Martin-Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg in 1991-2000 were included. SCC antigen (Ag) was measured by IMx SCC-Ag microparticle enzyme immunoassay (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL, USA). To assess the prognostic value of SCC antigen in the serum, we used a step-by-step multivariate analysis based on the Cox proportional hazard regression model. Using a cut-off value of 3.0 ng/ml, we detected preoperative SCC antigen in the serum as an independent prognostic factor in SCC of the cervix, both for recurrence-free and overall survival (P=0.003 and 0.0078). In this retrospective analysis the value of the SCC antigen tumour marker correlates with prognosis in operable SCC of the cervix, independent of tumour size, pelvic nodal status, cervical stroma infiltration, parametrial spread and tumour grading.

5608 Background: Recently, the standard of minimal pathological resection margin distance of 8mm in surgery for primary vulvar cancer has been challenged since several single center analyses failed...

As a cortical cytoskeletal protein, ezrin adapts the cytoplasmic tail of CD44 to the actin-based cytoskeleton and is functionally involved in migration and adhesion that are prerequisites for metastasis. To assess the importance of ezrin and its associated protein osteopontin for the progression of endometrioid carcinoma in FIGO stage I, we analyzed paraffin-embedded tissue from 164 patients by immunohistochemistry and correlated these data with clinicopathological parameters. Ezrin was expressed in normal proliferating endometrial glands, as was confirmed by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. In endometrioid carcinoma, enhanced ezrin expression correlated with a reduced overall survival in univariate analysis (P = 0.041). In contrast, no significant correlation was found for osteopontin. In multivariate survival analysis, among FIGO grade 3 and age, ezrin was still found to be an independent risk factor (relative risk 2.2, confidence interval 1.0-5.4, P = 0.047). Hence, elevated ezrin expression is a new independent prognostic marker in FIGO stage I endometrioid carcinoma, and thus provides further evidence for an important role of ezrin in tumor progression.

5562 Background: Incomplete surgical staging was shown to be a negative prognostic factor for patients with borderline ovarian tumors (BOT). However, little is known about the prognostic impact of each individual staging procedure. Methods: Clinical parameters of 950 patients with BOT (confirmed by central reference pathology) treated between 1998 and 2008 in 24 German AGO centers were analyzed. Staging quality was evaluated following German guidelines. In patients with adequate surgery regarding their reproductive organs (bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or intended fertility preserving surgery in patients ≤55 years), other recommended staging procedures (omentectomy, peritoneal biopsies, cytology, and, for mucinous histology, appendectomy) were evaluated applying uni- and multivariate regression models with respect to progression-free survival (PFS), separately for serous and mucinous histology. Results: A total of 559 serous BOT (64.1%) were opposed to 268 mucinous BOT (30.7%). For patients with serous ...

5531 Background: Prognosis of node-negative vulvar cancer is generally favorable compared to node positive disease. However, a small proportion of node-negative pts experience early recurrence with subsequent need for radical interventions. Aim of this analysis was to identify possible prognostic factors in this subset of pts. Methods: The AGO CaRE 1 study was designed as retrospective survey of treatment patterns and prognostic factors in vulvar cancer. Pts with primary squamous-cell vulvar cancer stage ≥1b treated at 29 gynecologic cancer centers in Germany 1998-2008 were included in a centralized database. Results: A total of 1618 pts were documented, 802 were node negative (pN0) after surgical staging and further analyzed. Median age was 66 yrs (21-94); 399 (49.8%) had pT1b, 365 (45.5%) pT2, 36 (4.5%) pT3 and 1 pT4 tumors; in 1 pt tumor stage was unknown. Median tumor size was 20 mm (1–345) and depth of invasion 4 mm (0.75–60). 703 (87.7%) pts had an R0 resection with a minimal margin of 5 mm (0.2–33); there were 46 R1 (5.7%) resections and 53 (6.6%) pts with unknown margin status. 692 pts (86.3%) received a full groin dissection (178 after sentinel node dissection) and in 85 pts (10.6%) only a sentinel node procedure was performed; surgery type was unknown in 25 pts (3.1%). 73 pts (9.1%) underwent adjuvant radiotherapy to the vulva. Median follow-up was 40 months. 169 pts (21.1 %) developed disease recurrence (thereof 111 (65.7%) at the vulva only and 53 (31.4%) at other locations, in 5 cases the localization was unknown) after a median of 17.7 months. 101 pts (12.6 %) died. To assess potential prognostic factors, multivariate analyses were performed including age, stage, tumor size, invasion depth, tumor grade, resection margin, adjuvant radiation, and mode of groin dissection [sentinel vs. full]) showing age as the only consistent prognostic factors for recurrence-free and overall survival. Conclusions: Even in the very large patient cohort of the AGO-CaRE database with more than 800 node-negative pts it was not possible to identify reliable clinicopathologic prognostic factors for node-negative disease. Identification of new biological markers will therefore be necessary to select high risk node negative pts for adjuvant treatment.

5007 Background: While the majority of patients with vulvar cancer can be cured by surgery alone, women with lymph-node metastases often show unfavorable outcome. Improved treatment strategies are therefore strongly needed. Methods: Patients with primary squamous-cell vulvar cancer treated at 29 gynecologic cancer centers in Germany between 1998 and 2008 were included in a centralized database and analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of 1,637 patients were documented with a median follow-up of 121 months. UICC-Stage distribution was 597 (36.5 %) T1, 816 (49.8 %) T2, 160 (9.8 %) T3 and 31 (1.9 %) T4, 33 (2.0 %) were missing. 491 patients had lymph-node metastasis to the groins (N+). 214 N+ patients (43.6 %) developed recurrent disease within a median of 21.4 months. 190 N+ patients (38.7%) died, median overall survival (OS) was 43.4 months, compared to 212 months for node-negative patients. An increasing number of metastatic lymph-nodes was associated with shorter OS: 169 (34.4%) patients had 1, 101 (20.6%) patients 2, 62 (12.6%) patients 3 and 86 (17.5%) patients >3 positive lymph-nodes, with a corresponding OS of 22.4, 17.2, 18.4 and 10.2 months, respectively (for 73 patients the number of nodes was not available). 240 N+ patients were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy (85.8%) or radiochemotherapy (14.2%). Median OS in these patients was significantly longer (66.9 months) compared to N+ patients without adjuvant treatment (35.7 months), the corresponding hazard ratio (HR) was 0.72 (95 % CI: 0.53 - 0.97 p = 0.029). This impact on OS remained consistent in multivariate analysis adjusted for age, ECOG, stage, grading, invasion depth and number of positive nodes (HR 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49 - 0.94 p = 0.020) and was observed irrespective of the number of affected nodes. Conclusions: To this day, this is the largest multicenter study on vulvar cancer. Our findings strongly suggest that the unfavorable prognosis of patients with node positive vulvar cancer can be improved by adjuvant therapy irrespective of the number of affected nodes. As adjuvant radiochemotherapy was shown to be superior to radiotherapy alone in many other squamous cell carcinomas, we are preparing a prospective phase III trial in node-positive vulvar cancer (AGO-CaRE 2 trial).

5031 Background: We present the efficacy data from a phase III study of topotecan (T) plus carboplatin (C) versus standard therapy with paclitaxel plus carboplatin (PC) or gemcitabine plus carboplatin (GC) or carboplatin plus pegylated doxorubicin (PLDC). Methods: From 02/07 to 12/09, 590 pts were screened and 550 pts were randomized to either T (0.75mg/m²/d1-3/q21d) + C (AUC 5/d1/q21d) or to standard therapy with CP or GC or PLDC based on patient preference. Progression free survival at 1 year was defined as primary endpoint. Results: Median number of cycles was 6 (range 0-9) in both arms. Most patients preferred GC (78%) in the standard therapy arm.. Best Response (CR+PR) was 73.1% (95%CI) and 75.1% (95%CI) for the CA. Median follow-up was 18 (0-52) months for TC and 20 (0-48) months for standard therapy. TC failed to show any advantage regarding 1-yr.-PFS or OAS. Conclusions: The combination of topotecan plus carboplatin failed to improve PFS or OAS in platinum sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer. In addition, carboplatin plus gemcitabine was well tolerated with lower rates of severe and long-lasting (neuropathy) toxicities compared to paclitaxel-carboplatin. [Table: see text]

5532 Background: Fulvestrant (F) is a pure anti-estrogen with no agonistic action and no known adverse effects on the endometrium. This may be an advantage over tamoxifen, which has been successfully used in the treatment of hormone-receptor (HR) positive recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma. Methods: This was an open label single-arm multicentre phase II study (AGO-Uterus 5) in patients with recurrent or metastatic endometrial carcinoma and measurable disease (RECIST). Pts. received monthly 250 mg F i.m. injections. The primary objective was clinical response after 3 injections, measured 4 weeks after injection 3 (ITT-pop.). Safety and tolerability were secondary endpoints. Results: Between March 2003 and May 2006, 35 pts. were included. Mean age was 70 years (range 45–83), first diagnosis was a mean 2.6 years ago, diagnosis of recurrence 10.2 months ago. 25 pts. (73.5%) had a FIGO 4B; 24 pts. (71%) had endometrioid cancer, 5 (15%) serous and 5 other carcinoma. All pts. had a positive ER and/or PgR status. 1 pt. had received no surgery for her disease; 21 pts. (61.8%) had prior radiotherapy; 13 pts. (38.2%) chemotherapy. 26 pts. were assessed as planned (ITT); 5 pts. received fewer than 3 injections, 4 pts. were not seen 4 weeks after inj. 3. Response to F was PR in 5 pts. (19.2%) and SD in 8 pts. (30.8%), adding up to a 50% disease control rate. 13 pts. had PD. Tolerability was good, no previously unknown side effects occurred. Conclusions: F showed encouraging response rates in our patient collective and was well tolerated. Further studies are warranted with F in HR pos. endometrial carcinoma. This study was supported by AstraZeneca. F is licensed for treatment of ER+, advanced breast cancer after an antioestrogen in postmenopausal women. [Table: see text]

5121 Background: Patients with advanced cervical cancer frequently suffer from anaemia. Additionally, concomitant anaemia is aggravated by radiochemotherapy (RCT). Study Objectives: This study aime...

Materials and Methods: From 1995 through 1999, a total number of 87 patients with squamous cell cervical cancers (FIGO stages IIB to IVA) underwent definitve radiotherapy (external beam 45-50.4Gy in 1.80Gy-fractions plus HDR-brachytherapy, 5 fractions of 7Gy in point A) in our department. All patients underwent oxygenation measurements with the Eppendorf device prior to treatment and after 19.8Gy external beam XRT. Various histological factors (including the microvessel density) and the S-phase-fraction (flow cytometry) were determined from pretreatment biopsies .