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PURPOSE Surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) may activate stress-inflammatory responses that stimulate tumor growth and increase metastatic growth. Animal and in vitro studies have shown that inhibition of the catecholamine-induced inflammatory response via beta-adrenergic receptor blockade has antitumor potential in EOC. However, observational studies have reported mixed results. We assessed whether beta-blocker (BB) use at the time of primary ovarian cancer surgery was associated with improved survival in a large population-based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using linked administrative data, a population-based cohort of 3,844 Australian women age 50 years or older with a history of cardiovascular conditions who underwent surgery for EOC was followed for survival outcomes. The average treatment effect of selective BB (SBB) and nonselective BB (NSBB) supply at the time of surgery on survival was estimated from a causal inference perspective using covariate-balanced inverse probability of treatment weights with flexible parametric survival models that allowed for time-varying survival effects. RESULTS Around the time of surgery, 560 (14.5%) women were supplied a SBB and 67 (1.7%) were supplied a NSBB. At 2 years postsurgery, the survival proportion was 80% (95% CI, 68 to 88) for women dispensed NSBBs at surgery compared with 69% (95% CI, 67 to 70) for women not supplied NSBBs. The survival advantage appeared to extend to at least 8 years postsurgery. No association was observed for women dispensed a SBB around the time of surgery. CONCLUSION Perioperative supply of NSBBs appeared to confer a survival advantage for women age over 50 years with a history of cardiovascular conditions. Long-term clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.

Background There are few readily modifiable risk factors for epithelial ovarian cancer; preclinical studies suggest bisphosphonates could have chemopreventive actions. Our study aimed to assess the association between use of nitrogen-based bisphosphonate medicine and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer, overall and by histotype. Methods We conducted a case-control study nested within a large, linked administrative dataset including all Australian women enrolled for Medicare, Australia’s universal health insurance scheme, between July 2002 and December 2013. We included all women with epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosed at age 50 years and older between July 1, 2004, and December 31, 2013 (n = 9367) and randomly selected up to 5 controls per case, individually matched to cases by age, state of residence, area-level socioeconomic status, and remoteness of residence category (n = 46 830). We used prescription records to ascertain use of nitrogen-based bisphosphonates (ever use and duration of use), raloxifene, and other osteoporosis medicines (no nitrogen-based bisphosphonates, strontium and denosumab). We calculated adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using conditional logistic regression. Results Ever use of nitrogen-based bisphosphonates was associated with a reduced risk of epithelial ovarian cancer compared with no use (OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.75 to 0.88). There was a reduced risk of endometrioid (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.79) and serous histotypes (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.75 to 0.93) but no association with the mucinous or clear cell histotypes. Conclusion Use of nitrogen-based bisphosphonates was associated with a reduced risk of endometrioid and serous ovarian cancer. This suggests the potential for use for prevention, although validation of our findings is required.

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) after surgery for kidney cancer is common, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify factors associated with incident CKD in patients managed with radical nephrectomy. Patients and Methods All patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma between January 2012 and December 2013 were ascertained from state-based cancer registries in Queensland and Victoria. Information on patient, tumor, and health service characteristics was obtained via chart review. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate exposures associated with incident CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] Results Older age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] per 5-year increase, 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-1.6), male sex (aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-2.0), obese compared with not obese (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.2-2.7), rural compared with urban place of residence (aOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.0) were associated with a higher risk of incident CKD. Lower preoperative eGFR was also associated with a higher risk of incident CKD. Management in private compared with public hospitals was also associated with a higher risk of CKD (aOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.2). Factors related to tumor size and cancer severity were also associated with worse postoperative kidney function, although it is likely this was a consequence of selection bias. Conclusion Patient characteristics have the strongest associations with incident CKD after radical nephrectomy. Potential risk factors were reasonably similar to recognized CKD risk factors for the general population. Patients who undergo nephrectomy who have CKD risk factors might benefit from ongoing postoperative screening for deterioration of kidney function.