IJGC Podcast

Racial and Sociodemographic Disparities with Novel Therapeutics with Drs. Anne Knisely and Nitecki Wilke

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Drs. Drs. Anne Knisely and Nitecki Wilke to discuss Racial and Sociodemographic Disparities with Novel Therapeutics. Dr. Knisely is a 3rd year gynecologic oncology fellow at MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is originally from the New York City area and completed her residency training in Ob/Gyn at Columbia University in 2022 where Dr. Jason Wright served as her primary research mentor. Her current research focuses on early phase clinical trials, minimal residual disease in ovarian cancer, and sociodemographic factors that affect oncologic treatment and outcomes. She is a current SGO/GOG-F BRIDGES Research Scholar. In her free time, she mostly chases around her two toddlers, Zoe (3.5) and Isaiah (2). Dr. Nitecki Wilke is a gynecologic oncologist and assistant professor at the department of gynecologic oncology and reproductive medicine at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
 
Highlights:
Of the 6242 patients who met inclusion criteria and were included in the final cohort, 4.4% received a PARP inhibitor, 34% received bevacizumab, and 6% received both. 
On multivariable analysis, non-Hispanic Black patients were 23% less likely than non-Hispanic white patients to receive either targeted therapy
Most patients in the study were treated in the recurrent setting; we suspect that the potential barriers to guideline-concordant prescription of these therapeutics would persist in the upfront treatment setting, but future studies are required to validate this.
A key area of focus to reduce disparities in access to targeted therapies should be ensuring adequate reimbursement for genetic/ biomarker testing as well as brainstorming creative solutions to expand access to genetic counseling, including the use of mainstreaming.
Use of the SEER-Medicare database specifically reduces external validity of this study, but the results are nonetheless hypothesis generating and should spark conversation regarding potential inequitable receipt of PARP inhibitors and bevacizumab in advanced ovarian cancer

SOC-1: Overall Survival Final Results with Drs. Rongyu Zang and Yulian Chen

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Drs. Rongyu Zang and Yulian Chen to discuss the SOC-1 trial. Dr. Rongyu Zang is the Director of the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, & Institute for Ovarian Cancer, Fudan University and is the Principal investigator of the SOC-1 and SUNNY trials. Dr. Yulian Chen is an Attending Physician at the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital.
 
Highlights:
The SOC-1 trial concluded that in patients with platinum-sensitive, relapsed ovarian cancer, surgery did not increase overall survival in the intention-to-treat population, but resulted in a prolongation of survival after adjustment of crossover.
Surgery may provide an obviously higher proportion of long-term relapse-free survivors than chemotherapy alone.
An active preoperative evaluation for all patients with platinum-sensitive first relapsed ovarian cancer is suggested in specialized centers.

Surgical Complications: Impact on Surgeon with Drs. Andreas Obermair and Rachel Collings

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Drs. Andreas Obermair and Rachel Collings to discuss the impact of surgical complications on surgeons. Dr Obermair is an Australian-based gynaecological oncologist, researcher and leader of innovation. He is the PI of numerous investigator-initiated clinical trials and is never tired of finding more effective and less harmful ways to treat patients diagnosed with gynaecological cancer. Dr Rachel Collings is a gynaecologist and fertility specialist working in private practice in Toowoomba, Australia. She has a particular interest gynaecological surgery and doctor wellbeing. 
 
Highlights:
While patients are primarily affected by complications, surgeons are second victims when complications develop. Second victim refers to a clinician who experiences emotional trauma when complications develop.
Second victims may feel shame, guilt, sadness and a crisis of confidence. In addition, second victims may develop problems with sleep, or develop musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Second victim syndrome is more likely if complications are severe, caused by a perceived mistake, or if the surgeon is concerned that it may attract criticism from colleagues.
89% of respondents reported having impacts on their sleep when they are involved in a surgical complication.
Younger age, fewer years in practice, and female respondents had higher impacts of stress related to complications.
Female surgeons reported higher levels of physical and mental health impacts and higher levels of impact on sleep compared with male surgeons.
 

LVSI Classification and Impact on Outcomes in Stage I Endometrial Cancer with Drs. Christian Dagher and Nadeem Abu-Rustum

Nadeem Abu-Rustum bio: Dr. Abu-Rustum is a board-certified gynecologic oncologist who specializes in the surgical treatment of gynecologic cancers at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He is also a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Abu-Rustum has a special interest in minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy) for the treatment of cancerous and noncancerous diseases of the female reproductive system, and his clinical research focuses on surgical therapy for gynecologic cancers and innovative surgical approaches to treating gynecologic disorders.
Christian Dagher bio: Christian Dagher is a former research fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and current OBGYN resident at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a master's degree in clinical epidemiology and health-services research from Weill-Cornel. Before moving to the US, he completed an OBGYN residency at the American University of Beirut and is interested in studying survival biomarkers in endometrial cancer. 
Highlights:
The 2023 FIGO staging system for endometrioid endometrial carcinomas included the extent of lymphovascular invasion as a determinant of stage.
The new staging system, groups tumors with no lymphovascular space invasion and those with focal invasion (<5 vessels) into one category and upstages those with substantial invasion ( 5 or more vessels).
This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the extent of lymphovascular invasion and oncologic outcomes in patients with stage I endometrioid endometrial cancer.
This study is a retrospective analysis of 1555 patients with FIGO 2009 stage I endometrioid endometrial cancer who underwent total hysterectomy and lymph node assessment at two tertiary centers between 2012 and 2019, categorized by the extent of lymphovascular invasion (no, focal, or substantial invasion as defined by the WHO).
Key findings showed that both focal and substantial lymphovascular invasion were linked to lower 5-year progression-free survival (68.7% and 70.5% for substantial and focal invasion, respectively, compared to 90.7% for no invasion). This was true even after limiting the analysis to myoinvasive grades 1 and 2. 
In conclusion, focal and no lymphovascular invasion have different prognostic outcomes and should not be combined into a single category as proposed by the FIGO staging system. Focal and substantial lymphovascular invasion were not associated with distinct prognostic outcome that could support upstaging of the latter.

Tisotumab Vedotin in Second- & Third-Line Recurrent Cervical Cancer with Dr. Ignace Vergote

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Ignace Vergote to discuss Tisotumab Vedotin in Second- & Third-Line Recurrent Cervical Cancer. Prof. Vergote was Chairman of the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics at the Catholic University Leuven from 2003-2020. He published more than 1050 papers on gynecologic cancer in peer-reviewed journals, and his work was cited more than 90,000 times. He served as President of IGCS, ESGO, EORTC-GCG and ENGOT.
 
Highlights:
Patients with recurrent cervical cancer with progression after platinum/paclitaxel, combined if possible with bevacizumab and anti-PD-(L)1 therapy, have a dismal prognosis
The antibody-drug -conjugate tisotumab vedotin showed a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival, demonstrating a 30% reduction in the risk of death compared with standard of care chemotherapy
Consistent benefit in progression-free survival and confirmed response were also observed and supportive of the observed overall survival benefit with tisotumab vedotin
The safety profile of tisotumab vedotin was manageable and tolerable, and consistent with previous experience
Based on these data, tisotumab vedotin should be considered a potential new standard of care for patients with recurrent cervical cancer who have progressed after first-line systemic therapy

Elikia: a hope for cervical cancer in Congo with Dr. Luis Chiva

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Luis Chiva to discuss the Elikia project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dr. Luis Chiva is the Head of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Director of Gynecologic Oncology at at Clínica Universidad de Navarra.
 
Highlights:
Inspiration: Dr. Luis Chiva began the Elikia project in the DRC in 2016 after seeing the urgent need for cervical cancer screening and maternal health.
Screening Approach: The project uses visual inspection with acetic acid, inspired by a successful model from India, to reduce cervical cancer mortality.
Team and Challenges: A team of volunteers faces challenges like limited healthcare infrastructure and promoting preventive care.
Sustainability: The project relies on donations and grants  to remain sustainable.
Personal Impact: The work has profoundly influenced Dr. Chiva, renewing his commitment to humanitarian efforts.

Role of Chemotherapy following Chemoradiation After Radical Hysterectomy with Dr. Anuja Jhingran

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Anuja Jhingran to discuss the role of chemotherapy following chemoradiation after radical hysterectomy. Dr. Anuja Jhingran is a Professor of Radiation Oncology specializing in gynecologic cancers. Her clinical focus includes advanced ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers, utilizing advanced radiation techniques to reduce toxicity. Dr. Jhingran is actively involved in research with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) and Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG), serving as the national Principal Investigator for several studies. She is passionate about women's health and works internationally to improve healthcare in developing countries.
 
Highlights:
This study assessed the impact of adding adjuvant chemotherapy to chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with high-risk early-stage cervical cancer post-radical hysterectomy. 
A total of 212 patients were analyzed, with 109 receiving CRT alone and 103 receiving CRT plus chemotherapy. 
The 4-year disease-free survival (DFS) was 76% for the CRT group and 77% for the CRT plus chemotherapy group (HR = 1.05, 90% CI: 0.65-1.68, p = 0.56). 
Overall survival (OS) rates at 4 years were 87% for CRT and 89% for the CRT plus chemotherapy arm (HR = 0.91, 90% CI: 0.49-1.69, p = 0.40). 
The addition of chemotherapy did not significantly improve DFS or OS.  

ERAS Guidelines and Outcomes Meta-analysis with Dr. Gregg Nelson

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Gregg Nelson to discuss ERAS Guidelines and Outcomes Meta-analysis. Dr. Gregg Nelson is Professor and Chair of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Calgary, in Calgary, Canada. He is the Physician Lead for ERAS Alberta and is Co-Chair of Enhanced Recovery Canada. 
Highlights:
Largest meta-analysis of ERAS randomized clinical trials finds hospital length of stay decreased by 1.9 days overall and risk of complications decreased by 29%, in favor of ERAS
ERAS can be applied to both open and minimally invasive surgery
ERAS benefits multiple surgery types

Fertility-sparing surgery in borderline ovarian tumors with Drs. Timo Westermann and Philipp Harter

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Drs. Timo Westermann and Philipp Harter to discuss fertility-sparing surgery in borderline ovarian tumors. Dr. Timo Westermann is a gynecologist and fellow at the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at Kliniken Essen-Mitte. Dr. Philipp Harter is a gynecologic oncologist, working at Kliniken Essen Mitte and Chair of the AGO Study Group.
 
Highlights:
 
Fertility-Sparing Surgery in Borderline-Tumors does not negatively impact overall survival.
Higher recurrence rates are observed after fertility-sparing surgery, particularly in higher FIGO stages.
Long-term follow up is crucial due to potential risk of late recurrences.

SENECA Study: Molecular profiling and SLN with Enrique Chacón

In this episode of the IJGC podcast, Editor-in-Chief Dr. Pedro Ramirez is joined by Dr. Enrique Chacón to discuss the SENECA Study: Molecular profiling and SLN. Dr. Chacón works in the Gynecologic Oncology Unit of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra. Dr. Chacón is an active member of the European Society of Gynecologic Oncology where he is the co-chair of the ENYGO Online Education Committee and the national representative of Spain. In 2021 he completed his editorial fellowship in the IJGC, where today he is serving on the Editorial Board of the journal.
 
Highlights:
 
This study, for the first time, reveals significant differences in SLN involvement among more than 2000 patients with early-stage endometrial cancer based on their molecular subtypes, with the p53 abn and MMRd groups having the greatest lymph node involvement.
The study defined the risk of SLN involvement for each of the ESGO risk groups. In this sense, the study notes that molecular profiling does not improve the prediction of nodal status with respect to the classical risk factors (FIGO stage and histology).
Lymph node staging should not yet be adopted based on molecular profiling as prospective studies are needed to validate whether these differences impact survival (DFS/OS)