ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is associated with dismal outcome and progression-free survival (PFS) shortens with each subsequent relapse. For patients with recurrent and platinum refractory disease, therapeutic options are limited. Oral metronomic therapy (OMT) is associated with symptomatic relief and stable response in a significant proportion of patients. We retrospectively evaluated the outcome of patients with EOC treated with OMT at a tertiary care hospital in north India. Methods: Between January 2011 to December 2017, 36 EOC patients received OMT. Patients' median age was 50 yr (range, 38-81 yr) and they had received a median of two lines of prior chemotherapy. OMT regimen included a combination of cyclophosphamide, etoposide (VP-16) and celecoxib with or without pazopanib along with supportive care. Response rates and outcomes were ascertained using the Gynecological Cancer Intergroup Guidelines. The toxicity was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v.4.03. Results: The median CA-125 before initiating OMT was 160 U/ml (range, 42.23-5330 U/ml). The median interval between last chemotherapy and starting OMT regimen was 159 days (range, 1-1211 days). The overall response rate was 50 per cent. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.03-10.33], and the median overall survival was 38 months (95% CI: 25.6-NR). Patients who received two lines of chemotherapy before OMT (P=0.052) and those who received pazopanib-based OMT (P=0.0513) had better PFS. Interpretation & conclusions: For patients with relapse and refractory EOC, OMT could be a reasonable option. A combination of oral etoposide (VP-16) and pazopanib needs further evaluation in a large number of patients in a randomized trial.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a rare localized extramedullary tumor of myeloid precursor cells. Short clinical history: An 11-year-old male presented with nasal bleed, two days; breathlessness and loss of appetite, one month and bilateral nasal blockade for two months. There was no fever. On clinical examination, bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly was found. On opening mouth, a pink mass hanging behind the soft palate was noted. Magnetic resonance imaging of head and neck revealed a nasopharyngeal mass in maxillo-ethmoidal sinus. Gross pathology: Excised mass was greenish pink, measuring 2 × 2 × 2 cm. Microscopic examination: Hemogram revealed total leukocyte count 1.2 lac/mm3, hemoglobin 10.1 g/dl, and platelet count 41,000/mm3. Differential count showed 24% blasts with marked left shift. Bone marrow aspirate revealed 27% blasts. No auer rod seen. Cytochemistry showed myeloperoxidase (MPO) positivity. Trephine biopsy showed myeloid hyperplasia with excess blasts. Histopathological examination of lymph nodes and soft tissues showed leukemic infiltration. Immunohistochemistry showed blasts positive for MPO and negative for CD3. On multicolor flow cytometry blasts were positive for MPO, CD34 and CD45, and negative for CD3 and CD79a. A diagnosis of MS with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was made. Discussion: It is rare in children (1 month-89 years). Any site of body, most commonly skin, lymph node, bone, etc. are affected. Prediction of first appearance of MS or AML was difficult in this case. MS may progress to AML simultaneously or may remain localized, never progressing to AML. Conclusion: Any extramedullary tumor showing myeloid precursor cells, should be investigated for MS, easily misdiagnosed as solid tumors.