Proteomic profiles of peritoneal fluid-derived small extracellular vesicles correlate with patient outcome in ovarian cancer.

Cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are capable of modifying the tumor microenvironment and promoting tumor progression. Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is a lethal malignancy that preferentially spreads through the abdominal cavity. Thus, the secretion of such vesicles into the peritoneal fluid could be a determinant factor in the dissemination and behavior of this disease. We designed a prospective observational study to assess the impact of peritoneal fluid-derived sEVs (PFD-sEVs) in OvCa clinical outcome. For this purpose, 2 patient cohorts were enrolled: patients with OvCa who underwent a diagnostic or cytoreductive surgery and nononcological patients, who underwent abdominal surgery for benign gynecological conditions and acted as the control group. Systematic extraction of PFD-sEVs from surgical samples enabled us to observe significant quantitative and qualitative differences associated with cancer diagnosis, disease stage, and platinum chemosensitivity. Proteomic profiling of PFD-sEVs led to the identification of molecular pathways and proteins of interest and to the biological validation of S100A4 and STX5. In addition, unsupervised analysis of PFD-sEV proteomic profiles in high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas (HGSOCs) revealed 2 clusters with different outcomes in terms of overall survival. In conclusion, comprehensive characterization of PFD-sEV content provided a prognostic value with potential implications in HGSOC clinical management.

Surgical impact of bilateral transient occlusion of uterine and utero-ovarian arteries during laparoscopic myomectomy.

The objective of this article is to compare the amount of intraoperative blood loss during laparoscopic myomectomy when performing bilateral transient clamping of the uterine and utero-ovarian arteries versus no intervention. It´s a randomized controlled prospective study carried out in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Ramón y Cajal University Hospital and HM Montepríncipe-Sanchinarro University Hospital, Madrid, Spain, in women with fibroid uterus undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy. Eighty women diagnosed with symptomatic fibroid uterus were randomly assigned to undergo laparoscopic myomectomy without additional intervention (Group A) or temporary clamping of bilateral uterine and utero-ovarian arteries prior to laparoscopic myomectomy (Group B). Estimated blood loss, operating time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative hemoglobin values were compared in both groups. The number of fibroids removed was similar in both groups (p = 0.77). Estimated blood loss was lower in the group of patients with prior occlusion of uterine arteries (p = 0.025) without increasing operating time (p = 0.17) nor length of stay (p = 0.17). No patient had either intra or postoperative complications. Only two patients (2.5%) required blood transfusion after surgery. We conclude that temporary clamping of bilateral uterine arteries prior to laparoscopic myomectomy is a safe intervention that reduces blood loss without increasing operative time.

Outcomes after Hysteroscopic Treatment of Symptomatic Isthmoceles in Patients with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and Pelvic Pain: A Prospective Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Isthmoceles are described as complications associated with caesarean section (CS). Only symptomatic isthmoceles should be treated. The main symptoms are abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in the absence of any other causes, pelvic pain and secondary infertility. There are several techniques described for the correction of isthmoceles. Isthmoplasty can be performed by hysteroscopy, laparoscopy or vaginal surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of hysteroscopic surgical treatment of isthmoceles in women with associated symptoms such as pelvic pain and AUB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective case series study was performed; this study included all women with AUB, pelvic pain and ultrasonographic (US) diagnosis of isthmocele, who had undergone hysteroscopic correction between June 2014 and December 2017 in our Hospital. RESULTS: Thirty eight women underwent surgical hysteroscopy for correction of symptomatic isthmoceles. All patients presented AUB, 42.1% experienced pelvic pain and 28.9% had secondary infertility. US evaluation of isthmoceles was performed using 2D ultrasound. The residual myometrial thickness (RMT) above the isthmocele was measured in women who expected future pregnancy; if it was <2.5 mm the patient was not included in the study because the correction was performed laparoscopically. Follow-up was performed one and two months after the surgery. In all cases, pelvic pain was resolved one month after the surgery. AUB disappeared within the first month in 87.5% of patients and in the second month in 96.8% of subjects; however, one patient needed further surgery to alleviate her symptoms. Secondary infertility was assessed one year after surgical isthmoplasty. Seven women completed the first year of follow up, and three of them (42.8%) reported pregnancy after treatment between six and eight months after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Hysteroscopic correction of symptomatic isthmoceles may constitute a safe and effective technique for patients who present AUB and pelvic pain.