This month we discussed the latest research news from the 2021 SGO Annual Meeting and the 2021 ASCO Annual Meeting . Both meetings were once again held virtually due to the Covid -19 pandemic.
Twenty-two participants discussed a variety of research studies presented at the two meetings. You may find the complete transcript here and the analytics here.
Here are some highlighted answers to our questions.
T1:
What #SGOMtg presentations did you personally find of most interest?
Anything practice-changing to note?
- The best part for me was a discussion (debate might be a better word ) on secondary cytoreductive surgery between Dr Gardner and Dr Coleman . #SGOmtg #gyncsm https://twitter.com/womenofteal/status/1402781130462580738
- Glad to see continued learning on PARPs. Immunotherapy seems to still need lots of figuring out. Sobering info on female experiences in GynOnc - being a majority female specialty but still wage gap, bullying, etc.
- This SGO study was mentioned by my GYN - that maybe my IUD can counter-effect incr endo risk from tamoxifen: Hormonal IUD Shows Promise as an Effective Treatment for Early Endometrial Cancer or Precancer https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/hormonal-iud-shows-promise-as-an-effective-treatment-for-early-endometrial-cancer-or-precancer
- Vulvar Cancer Research Pembrolizumab for vulvar squamous cell carcinoma: results from the phase 2 KEYNOTE-158 study R. Shapira Frommer Responses independent of PDL-1 status.
- T1 a great overview @ocrahope of #SGOmtg from advocates @Stigetta and @KathleenMaxian https://ocrahope.org/2021/05/highlights-2021-virtual-annual-meeting-of-sgo/
T2:
There was a session at #SGOmtg entitled "Time to Return to the Drawing Board: Learning From Negative Trials."
What are "negative" trials and what are some key take-aways?
- T2 I think hearing about treatments that are tried yet don't give the results the researchers expect are still valuable to hear about.
- T2 hard to hear about Negative trials. We learn what not to do; however, it’s disheartening for those in treatment.owed general ovarian screening over time not effective. Hard to learn but glad for these studies.
- T2 #SGOMtg Phase II Durvalumab (anti-PDL1)& Tremelimumab (anti-CTLA4) Administered in Combo versus Sequentially for the Treatment of Recurrent HGSOC No diff between arms in PFS - Clear cell histology should be examined
- In #sarcoma, the olaratumab trial failed to reach its goals. But it did spur a lot of thinking on trial design.
T3:
Which #ASCO21 studies do you think may be of most interest to patients?
- ASCO Abstracts link https://t.co/PlP2JFRsQZ ] #gyncsm
- T3- definitely a theme of more is not always better. Longer duration of bevacizumab in upfront maintenance did not improve survival in #OvarianCancer
- From #ASCO21 I saw diversity and patient voice being highlighted in what seemed to be genuine ways. Long way to go but nice to see. The study about helping "light up" tumor so it can be removed looked fascinating.
- We evaluated the wee1 inhibitor adavosertib alone or in combination with olaparib in women w #PARPi resistant #OvarianCancer - we saw activity in both arms including disease shrinkage and disease stabilization for >4 months. Many women have stayed on for >a year!
- Pafolacianine Sodium injection (OTL38) agent lit up tumors with an overexpression of folate receptor alpha so surgeon could remove.
- T3 I was excited about a novel GEM vaccine every 4 weeks as maintenance, 91 patients Gem well tolerated. Benefit for Homologous Recombination proficient patients
- A3: There were so many negative trials this year! But knowing that interventions cause harm without benefit (adding chemo in cx cancer, immunotherapy to ov cancer) is incredibly important to guide future therapies.
- This study by @Carisls was important at #ASCO21 for differentiating uterine #leiomyosarcoma from LMS elsewhere in the body.
- At #ASCO21, there was continued discussion on PARP inhibitors for (some) women with uterine #leiomyosarcoma. Also, the addition of temozolomide seemed promising.
T4:
What are some of the "hot topics" in gynecologic cancer research currently ( PARPs, cytoreductive surgery, immunotherapy, other)? What is still up for debate that patients/survivors/advocates should be aware of?
- T4 I’m wanting more patients eligible for trials. We, as advocates, need to question this, particularly when we are on trial teams.
- From the plenary session #ASCO21 cervical Cancer study - OUTBACK showed that adjuvant chemotherapy added to standard chemoradiation therapy did not improve survival outcomes for women with locally advanced cervical cancer.
T5:
Are there recent studies surrounding palliative care, survivorship, and psychosocial research that could help gyn cancer survivors?
- Different patients feel differently about scans, tumor markers, surveillance (some patients even like getting pelvic examinations!). What's most important is that communication is good so that you can land on a plan that works for patient and healthcare team.
- T5 There is this study by @DrAttai presented at ASCO. - Patient preferences for survivorship care #ASCO21 abstr 12064 w/ @DrN_CancerPCP @subatomicdoc @BZavaletaMD meetinglibrary.asco.org/record/200314/…
- #gyncsm - There was an SGO study around neuropathy " Lauren Thomaier presents Genetic variants predictive of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms in gynecologic cancer survivors at #SGOMtg Fantastic work to identify patients most at risk of CIPN! Very important! "
T6
Both #ASCO21 and #SGOmtg held sessions on disparities in gynecologic cancer care. What was highlighted and how can we work to decrease disparities?
- T6. Black women are more likely to get uterine sarcomas, compared with other racial/ethnic groups. Sarcomas tend to be more aggressive than endometrial carcinoma. But advocates can't seem to get any help in outreach.
- T6 Social Determinants, Not Biology: Time to Reappraise Genetics-Based Theories of Racial/Ethnic Cancer Outcome Disparities #ASCO21 #gyncsm Dr Ford: Biological Association of obesity and cancer. SC case I-95 corridor case study most residents are black, > poverty> Cancer rates
- The first step is admitting that there is a problem which is why I was so glad to see inequities highlighted. We can ask questions of our healthcare systems, and advocate for our healthcare boardrooms to look like the waiting room...
T7:
For remaining time, please feel free to ask questions about or highlight other recent research you find of interest. What studies are on the horizon? What areas would you like to see more research?
- T7: cancer treatment is very expensive. Are there any resources available for those who want to partake in a clinical trial out of state & cannot afford the “room & board” expense?
- People need to include #RareCancers in their discussions of #inequity. In gyn #sarcoma, we have less money for research, fewer experts, and less patient support.
- t7: the research regarding early detection not improving survival is disheartening. I was under the impression that when it is caught early, you have a better chance of long term survival?!
- I’d like to see more Data related to helping patients access trials outside their cancer center.
Note there will be no #gyncsm chat in July.
Save the date for our next chat Wed, Aug 11, 2021 at 8pmET (new time for 2021) when we’ll discuss “Cancer Myths”.
Have a wonderful July!
Dee and Christina
Resources:
Media articles written on research discussed at #SGOmtg https://157slyoyo4y17zpa538hczs1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Social-Media-SGO2021-Coverage-List.pdf
Overview of SGO meeting by @Stigetta and @KathleenMaxian https://ocrahope.org/2021/05/highlights-2021-virtual-annual-meeting-of-sgo/
SGO Abstracts https://www.sgo.org/events/annual-meeting/sessions-abstract-titles/
ASCO Abstracts https://conferences.asco.org/am/abstracts
ASCO Abstracts https://conferences.asco.org/am/abstracts
Overview of AACR meeting https://ocrahope.org/2021/05/highlights-2021-virtual-annual-meeting-aacr/
Adjuvant Chemotherapy Fails to Improve PFS and OS in Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer https://www.onclive.com/view/adjuvant-chemotherapy-fails-to-improve-pfs-and-os-in-locally-advanced-cervical-cancer
Oncology Nursing Society https://www.ons.org/
Patient Advocate Foundation https://www.patientadvocate.org/connect-with-services/financial-aid-funds/
