Peter R. Dottino, MD, professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses the benefit of early-detection screening for endometrial cancer.

Endometrial cancer is one of the most common cancer types in the United States, and incidence rates continue to increase exponentially in the female population, according to Dottino, who adds that the lack of adequate screening options in this tumor type could be contributing to this rise. To address this unmet need, Dottino and colleagues evaluated a targeted gynecologic cancer liquid biopsy designed to detect and endometrial precancer.

One of the biggest challenges in implementing this screening was the hesitancy from clinicians about its utility for patients with endometrial cancer, Dottino continues. Due to the nature of the disease’s symptoms, a high percentage of women with endometrial cancer will experience bleeding and tend to seek care early, leading to subsequent hysterectomy, Dottino explains.

However, hysterectomies are not benign procedures, and they can potentially lead to complications and greater difficulties with activities of daily life, Dottino notes. Utilizing early-detection screening could reveal endometrial cancer in a precancerous state, increasing the likelihood that hormonal therapy alone will be effective, Dottino notes. Early detection could prevent a sizeable number of patients from undergoing hysterectomy, Dottino concludes.

Videos

Peter R. Dottino, MD, discusses the benefit of early-detection screening for endometrial cancer. 

Dr. Dottino on the Benefit of Early-Detection Screening in Endometrial Cancer

Peter R. Dottino, MD, professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science, Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses targeted therapies for patients with ovarian cancer.

There are PARP inhibitors and VEGF inhibitors are targeted therapies that are available today, but others are being investigated in phase I/II trials that will be potentially of use, explains Dottino.

According to Dottino in a study investigating 

-mutated patients using AZD1775 with carboplatin in platinum-refractory patients, a 46% response rate was observed.

Dr. Dottino on Targeted Therapies in Ovarian Cancer

Peter R. Dottino, MD, professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science, Mount Sinai Hospital, discusses molecular techniques used to determine ovarian cancer following treatment with chemotherapy.

Researchers out of Mount Sinai out of their 10-year biobank to explore tumors to determine what the genetic make-up of the primary tumor, the recurrent tumor, and whether they can predict and find the same mutations in the primary tumor as in "second-look" washings, Dottino says. Using a 56-gene panel with next-generation sequencing, it was discovered that 5 patients had positive second-looks, with mutations in all washes. Three out of 5 patients who were classed as negative second-looks were later determined to still carry deleterious 

 mutations. These patients went on to have recurrent disease. 

This confirms that there is a heterogeneity to ovarian cancer, Dottino explains. 

Peter R. Dottino, MD

Articles

Dr. Dottino on the Benefit of Early-Detection Screening in Endometrial Cancer

Dr. Dottino on Targeted Therapies in Ovarian Cancer

Dr. Dottino on Molecular Detection of Recurrent Ovarian Cancer