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Original research
Pre-operative neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles and survival in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer: what is the optimal number? A Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Team Ovary study
  1. Ying L Liu1,
  2. Qin C Zhou2,
  3. Alexia Iasonos2,
  4. Dennis S Chi3,
  5. Oliver Zivanovic3,
  6. Yukio Sonoda3,
  7. Ginger Gardner3,
  8. Vance Broach3,
  9. Roisin O'Cearbhaill1,
  10. Jason A Konner1,
  11. Rachel Grisham1,
  12. Carol A Aghajanian1,
  13. Nadeem R Abu-Rustum3,
  14. William Tew1 and
  15. Kara Long Roche3
  1. 1 Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
  2. 2 Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
  3. 3 Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Kara Long Roche, Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA; longrock{at}mskcc.org

Abstract

Objective Although trials of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in ovarian cancer use 3 neoadjuvant cycles, real-world practice varies. We sought to evaluate the influence of increasing pre-operative cycles on survival, accounting for surgical outcomes.

Methods We identified 199 women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer recommended for neoadjuvant chemotherapy who underwent interval debulking surgery from July 2015 to December 2018. Non-parametric tests were used to compare clinical characteristics by neoadjuvant cycles. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate differences in progression-free and overall survival. The log-rank test was used to assess the relationship of covariates to outcome.

Results The median number of neoadjuvant cycles was 4 (range 3–8), with 56 (28%) women receiving ≥5 cycles. Compared with those receiving 3 or 4, women with ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles received fewer or no post-operative cycles (p<0.001) but had no other differences in clinical factors (p>0.05). Complete gross resection rates were similar among those receiving 3, 4, and ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles (68.5%, 70%, and 71.4%, respectively, p=0.96). There were no significant differences in progression-free or overall survival when comparing 3 versus 4 neoadjuvant cycles. However, more cycles (≥5 vs 4) were associated with worse progression-free survival, even after adjustment for BRCA status and complete gross resection (HR 2.20, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.33, p<0.001), and worse overall survival, even after adjustment for histology, response on imaging, and complete gross resection rates (HR 2.78, 95% CI 1.37 to 5.63, p=0.016). The most common reason for receiving ≥5 cycles was extent of disease requiring more neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusions Despite maximal cytoreduction, patients receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles have a poorer prognosis than those receiving 3–4 cycles. Future studies should focus on reducing surgical morbidity and optimizing novel therapies in this high-risk group.

  • ovarian cancer

https://doi.org/10.1136/ijgc-2020-001641

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    HIGHLIGHTS

    • Receiving >4 neoadjuvant cycles was associated with worse progression-free and overall survival.

    • Negative prognosis associated with >4 neoadjuvant cycles was not alleviated by a complete gross resection.

    • Disease extent precluding surgery was the most common reason for receiving >4 neoadjuvant cycles.

    Introduction

    The use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery in ovarian cancer has increased since 2010.1 2 The core rationale is the hypothesis that delivering chemotherapy prior to surgery may render initially inoperable patients operable by shrinking disease. As a result, much research has focused on delivery of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including how best to optimize the number of pre-operative cycles.3 Four large randomized studies comparing neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking surgery, with primary debulking surgery, have been conducted. In these studies, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was restricted to 3–4 cycles.4–7 However, real-world practice varies, and centers often give >4 pre-operative cycles. Although multiple retrospective studies suggest that more neoadjuvant cycles may be associated with worse outcomes,8–11 many of these studies did not adjust for degree of cytoreduction or other clinical variables. Others have found that certain women may benefit from >4 cycles if complete cytoreduction can be achieved.12

    The decision to proceed with interval debulking surgery is complex and influenced by multiple factors, including response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (often assessed via interval computed tomographic (CT) imaging after 2–3 cycles), ability to achieve complete cytoreduction, patient factors, and the individual surgeon’s philosophy. A number of studies have emphasized the importance of optimal and complete cytoreduction on survival,13 14 and the degree of surgery may influence the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Additionally, completion of neoadjuvant cycles may vary according to patient’s age and co-morbidity.15

    There is a need to describe real-world practices and characterize the influence of an increased number of neoadjuvant cycles on outcomes. We sought to describe our institution’s practices in the delivery of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to evaluate whether increasing the number of pre-operative cycles influenced survival, after adjusting for clinical variables and degree of cytoreduction.

    Methods

    Patient selection

    From July 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018, we prospectively identified 199 women seeking medical care at our tertiary care institution for newly diagnosed, pathologically verified ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal epithelial cancer. Patients were identified prospectively at the point they initiate care at our institution via the center’s Ovarian Database, which tracks all patients seen with an ovarian diagnosis and is updated continuously. There was no selection, and all women who received care at our institution were included. Second opinion cases were excluded. All women were recommended to receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent interval debulking surgery.

    Data collection

    Clinical data were abstracted from the electronic medical record by two independent reviewers (YLL and KLR) from May 2019 to September 2019. Age was defined from date of pathological diagnosis. Histology was abstracted from pathological reports and stratified into high-grade serous carcinoma or other. Stage was defined at pathological diagnosis using the 2014 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system.16 BRCA testing status and results were abstracted from the medical record. The Charlson co-morbidity score, a composite score measuring co-morbidity in 12 areas and predictive of mortality,17 18 was calculated based on medical conditions present at the pathological diagnosis.

    Surgical and medical oncology notes were reviewed to determine the indication for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and were categorized into the following groups: (1) patient factors (Aletti Score,19 co-morbidity, venous thromboembolism, clinical trial, or other); or (2) disease factors (stage IV unresectable, extent of disease on imaging, extent of disease on laparoscopy, extent of disease requiring thoracic surgery).

    Chemotherapy regimens were documented and categorized as: (1) weekly intravenous paclitaxel with carboplatin every 3 weeks; or (2) other, which included intravenous paclitaxel and carboplatin every 3 weeks, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, and clinical trials. The number of pre- and post-operative chemotherapy cycles was documented. The charts of patients receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles were reviewed in detail, and the reasons for more cycles were characterized as follows: (1) surgical (disease too extensive for debulking); (2) medical (functional status or delayed chemotherapy recovery); (3) venous thromboembolism; (4) patient preferences; (5) logistics.

    Radiologic reports from interval imaging (CT chest, abdomen and pelvis with contrast, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pelvis with contrast and CT chest without contrast) obtained after 2–3 pre-operative cycles were reviewed by investigators (YLL) to determine response. This was then categorized as: (1) response, defined as any amount of disease shrinkage on imaging; or (2) no response or disease progression, defined as no change, or growth of disease on imaging. This dichotomous categorization was used as these were clinical examinations and thus not scored using criteria such as RECIST. All patients underwent interval debulking surgery. Optimal debulking was defined as residual disease <1 cm. A complete gross resection was defined as no visible residual disease at the completion of surgery.

    Statistical analysis

    Summary statistics were provided. The Fisher’s exact and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare clinical characteristics by 3, 4, and ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles. Progression-free survival was defined from date of interval debulking surgery to date of disease progression, defined as clinical recurrence via pathologically confirmed biopsy (when available), or imaging showing disease recurrence per the clinical provider, or death in those without recurrence, or last follow-up in those without recurrence or death. Overall survival was defined from date of interval debulking surgery to date of death from all causes or last follow-up.

    The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate progression-free and overall survival (median and rate at 1 year). The log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model were used to assess the relationship of covariates to outcome. The number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles was recorded prior to interval debulking surgery and is therefore a known baseline covariate at the time of surgery. Landmark analysis was used for the time-dependent variable post-operative chemotherapy cycles, and only patients who received post-operative treatments were included in these analyses. Progression-free survival was plotted against neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles as a continuous variable, and a weighted Kaplan–Meier survival function was obtained by smoothing to determine a smoothed median estimate across survival time.20 The maximally selected standardized log-rank statistic was then used to assess the predictive power of this relationship.21–23

    This study was approved by our center’s Institutional Review Board.

    Results

    Patient characteristics

    Among the 199 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and underwent interval debulking surgery, median age was 66.5 (mean 66.5) years, with a range of 43–88 years. Most (n=183, 92%) had high-grade serous carcinoma. Other histologies (n=16) included clear cell carcinoma (n=2), endometrioid carcinoma (n=1), carcinosarcoma/malignant mixed Müllerian tumor (n=2), low-grade serous (n=1), and Müllerian carcinoma non-specified (n=10). Most patients had stage IV disease (67%) at diagnosis; 15% had a BRCA 1/2 mutation, but 30 (15%) had not yet undergone testing. The median Charlson comorbidity score was 8, with a mean of 8.5 (range 6–12), representing intermediate peri-operative risk.24

    Most patients received weekly intravenous paclitaxel with carboplatin every 3 weeks (72%); 53 (28%) patients received other regimens including intravenous paclitaxel and carboplatin every 3 weeks (n=34), combination intravenous-intraperitoneal chemotherapy (n=7), intravenous pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and carboplatin (n=1), and weekly intravenous paclitaxel and carboplatin with nivolumab every 3 weeks on a clinical trial (n=11). Twelve (6%) patients received bevacizumab with chemotherapy and 16 (8%) received a PARP inhibitor.

    Most patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy due to disease factors (70%) and had some response after 2–3 cycles (91%). Patients who did not have a response on CT after 2–3 cycles received further imaging, and those who did not have a response sufficient for debulking surgery were not included in the study. The rate of optimal debulking was 91% and the rate of complete gross resection was 70% (Table 1).

    View this table:
    Table 1

    Patient characteristics by neoadjuvant cycles

    Neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles

    The number of neoadjuvant cycles ranged from 3 to 8, with a median of 4. Seventy-three (37%) patients received 3 cycles, 70 (35%) patients received 4 cycles, and 56 (28%) patients received ≥5 cycles. The number of post-operative cycles ranged from 0 to 6, with a median of 3. Fifteen patients received no post-operative chemotherapy. The number of neoadjuvant and post-operative chemotherapy cycles were significantly and negatively correlated: Pearson’s correlation coefficient −0.50 (p<0.001).

    The median number of post-operative cycles for those receiving 3 and 4 neoadjuvant cycles was 3 (range 2–6) and 3 (range 1–4), respectively. Compared with patients receiving 3 or 4 neoadjuvant cycles, those receiving ≥5 cycles received fewer or no post-operative cycles (median 2, range 1–4, p<0.001) but had no differences in other clinical factors including age, stage (including more detailed staging, online supplementary Table S1), co-morbidity score, neoadjuvant indication, chemotherapy regimen, presence of response on imaging after 2–3 pre-operative cycles (p>0.05). Of note, rates of optimal debulking and complete gross resection were similar among the groups (Table 1).

    Supplemental material

    Progression-free survival analysis

    At a median follow-up of 15.7 months (range 1.6–43.8) for progression-free survivors, there were 142 (71%) recurrences; two (1%) deaths without recurrence were observed. Median progression-free survival was 12.0 months (95% CI 10.1 to 13.9) overall and 12.5 months (95% CI 10.6 to 17.2), 14.6 months (95% CI 11.2 to 18.3), and 8.2 months (95% CI 6.9 to 11.3) in those with 3, 4 and ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles, respectively. On univariate analysis, receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles was significantly associated with worse progression-free survival compared with 3 cycles (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.96, p<0.001) and 4 cycles (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.36 to 3.08, p<0.001). There were no significant differences with respect to progression-free survival between 3 versus 4 neoadjuvant cycles. Presence of BRCA 1/2 mutations, achieving optimal debulking or complete gross resection, and receiving post-operative chemotherapy were associated with improved progression-free survival (p<0.05) on univariate analysis (Figure 1 and online supplementary Table S2).

    Supplemental material

    Figure 1
    Figure 1

    Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by neoadjuvant cycles. NACT, neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

    A smoothed survival function20 assessing the association of progression-free survival with neoadjuvant cycles as a continuous variable found a cut-off at 4 cycles (Figure 2). The maximally selected rank statistics methodology21–23 suggests that receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles was associated with worse progression-free survival (maximally selected log rank p=0.017). Given this, multivariate models of progression-free survival used 4 neoadjuvant cycles as the comparator. In multivariate models of progression-free survival, there were no significant differences between 3 and 4 cycles. Receiving ≥5 vs 4 cycles was associated with worse progression-free survival, even after adjustment for BRCA mutation status and complete gross resection (HR 2.20, 95% CI 1.45 to 3.33, p<0.001) (Table 2).

    Figure 2
    Figure 2

    Smoothed Kaplan–Meier survival function of progression-free survival (PFS) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cycles (continuous).

    View this table:
    Table 2

    Multivariate model of progression-free and overall survival

    Overall survival analysis

    At a median follow-up for survivors of 21.2 months (range 1.6–45.4), 55 deaths were observed. Median overall survival was not reached overall and was 33.3 months (95% CI 27 to not reached), not reached, and 28.9 months (95% CI 19.7 to not reached) in those with 3, 4, and ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles respectively. On univariate analysis there were no significant differences between 3 and 4 neoadjuvant cycles. Receiving ≥5 cycles was significantly associated with worse overall survival compared with 3 cycles (HR 1.64, 95% CI 0.89 to 3.0, p=0.008) and 4 cycles (HR 2.88, 95% CI 1.43 to 5.77, p=0.008) (Figure 3 and online supplementary Table S3). High-grade serous carcinoma, presence of BRCA 1/2 mutations, and achieving complete gross resection were significantly associated with improved overall survival; having no response on imaging after 2–3 cycles was significantly associated with worse overall survival on univariate analysis (p<0.05; online supplementary Table S3).

    Supplemental material

    Figure 3
    Figure 3

    Reasons for receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles (n=56).

    On multivariate analysis, receiving ≥5 vs 4 neoadjuvant cycles was significantly associated with worse overall survival, even after adjusting for high-grade serous carcinoma, presence of response on imaging after 2–3 pre-operative cycles, and achieving complete gross resection (HR 2.78, 95% CI 1.37 to 5.63, p=0.016). Of note, after adjustment for these factors, response on imaging after 2–3 cycles was no longer independently associated with overall survival (Table 2).

    Reasons for receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles

    The most common reason cited for receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles was surgical (62%) due to disease that was too extensive for interval debulking surgery after 2–3 cycles, as assessed by imaging, clinical examination, or both. Medical reasons (14%) for deferring interval debulking surgery included patient performance status and delayed recovery from chemotherapy. The presence of newly diagnosed venous thromboembolism requiring delay of surgery was cited in 13% of cases. Patient preferences and initial refusal of surgery and logistics of scheduling were cited in 7% and 4% of cases, respectively (Figure 3). In those receiving ≥5 cycles for surgical factors (n=35), median progression-free survival was 8.7 months (95% CI 6.7 to 12.0) and overall survival was 33.0 months (95% CI 19.7 to not estimable). In those receiving ≥5 cycles for other reasons (n=21: medical factors (n=8), venous thromboembolism (n=7), patient preference (n=4), and logistics (n=2)), median progression-free survival was 7.8 months (95% CI 4.4 to 12.3) and overall survival was 20.9 months (95% CI 10.4 to not estimable) (see online supplementary Table S4).

    Supplemental material

    Discussion

    In our single-center study of 199 women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy who underwent interval debulking surgery, we found that the number of neoadjuvant cycles ranged from 3 to 8, with a median of 4 cycles. Although there were no differences in progression-free or overall survival between those receiving 3 versus 4 cycles, those receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant cycles (28%) had worse progression-free and overall survival, even after adjusting for clinical factors and complete gross resection rates. These data suggest that patients who remain unfit for interval debulking surgery after cycle 4 of neoadjuvant chemotherapy have a poorer prognosis, which is not mitigated by surgical effort.

    Our study is consistent with multiple retrospective studies suggesting that a greater number of neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles may be associated with worse outcomes. Bristow and Chi examined number of neoadjuvant cycles and survival, and found that each increase in the number of cycles above 3 was associated with a decrease in median survival time by 4.1 months.10 Altman et al studied 403 women with ovarian cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and found that those who received ≥4 cycles had worse outcomes, even after adjusting for degree of cytoreduction.8 Bogani et al studied 193 women with ovarian cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery at four Italian centers and found that increased number of neoadjuvant cycles (4 vs 3) was associated with worse overall survival (p=0.06), with significantly worse 10-year overall survival (26% vs 18%, p=0.009).9 Others have corroborated these findings and have suggested that the number of neoadjuvant cycles should not exceed 4 (online supplementary Table S5).11 25

    Supplemental material

    Of note, we found no difference in complete gross resection rates, progression-free or overall survival between those receiving 3 versus 4 neoadjuvant cycles, suggesting that either 3 or 4 cycles is acceptable clinically. In practice, logistical constraints of scheduling often lead providers to administer an additional cycle of chemotherapy prior to interval debulking surgery. Interestingly, our Kaplan–Meier curve of overall survival shows some separation between 3 versus 4 cycles; although not statistically significant, there is a suggestion of potentially worse overall survival in patients undergoing 3 versus 4 cycles. Our small sample size, small number of deaths, and limited follow-up for assessment of overall survival make it difficult to draw conclusions. This is hypothesis generating, however, and should be studied in larger cohorts with longer follow-up.

    Although some studies have suggested that achieving complete gross resection may negate the prognostic implications of receiving >4 neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles,12 our study does not support this. In fact, our data show similar complete gross resection rates in those receiving 3, 4, and ≥5 cycles, and there does not appear to be an interaction between neoadjuvant cycles and complete gross resection. This implies that patients unfit for interval debulking surgery after 4 cycles have a worse prognosis that is not reversed by maximal cytoreduction. Limiting surgical morbidity in this patient population should remain a goal of care and warrants further study. However, these data do not suggest that interval debulking surgery should be withheld in those requiring >4 cycles, as some patients may still derive benefit. Careful consideration of the risks and benefits of cytoreduction should be addressed on an individual basis.

    We found that patients receiving >4 neoadjuvant cycles received fewer post-operative cycles, and some received no adjuvant therapy. Those receiving 4 versus 3 neoadjuvant cycles did receive significantly fewer post-operative cycles (p<0.001), although both groups had a median of 3 post-operative cycles. Detailed review of the charts of women not receiving adjuvant therapy showed that most did not receive it due to poor tolerability or because the treating oncologist had finished the prescribed plan of 6 total cycles prior to surgery. Many oncologists will aim to deliver 6 total cycles, regardless of when they occur in relation to surgery. A small portion of these patients did die or progress shortly after surgery. Although differences in post-operative chemotherapy may be important and affect survival, our study showed only an association with progression-free and not overall survival, a finding supported by other studies.26 Additionally, the number of pre- and post-operative cycles were highly correlated, and both variables likely reflect the underlying fitness of the patient and the aggressiveness of disease. In our analysis, only pre-operative cycles, not post-operative cycles, were associated with progression-free and overall survival, suggesting that pre-operative cycles may be a better prognostic indicator.

    Although any response on imaging after 2–3 pre-operative cycles was associated with overall survival on univariate analysis, this association disappeared in multivariate models adjusting for number of neoadjuvant cycles and surgical outcomes. McNulty et al found that, although radiological assessment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy was correlated with the chemotherapy response score on histopathologic review, it was not independently associated with survival.27 Our study corroborates these results and suggests that any response on imaging after 2–3 cycles was not an independent predictor of survival, after adjusting for neoadjuvant cycle number and surgical outcomes. This implies that the decision to proceed with more neoadjuvant cycles and interval debulking surgery is complex and should be based on clinical variables as well as imaging results. Given the high-risk nature of this group and high likelihood of recurrence, careful counseling, early integration of palliative care, and individualization of care is particularly important.

    Unlike our prior studies of patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy,28 age, stage, and co-morbidity score were not associated with survival and were not included in multivariate models. This may reflect a highly selected population that was considered fit to undergo debulking surgery.

    The strengths of our retrospective study include utilization of a prospective Ovarian Database and inclusion of multiple clinically relevant variables. This is one of the first studies to assess the potential interaction of degree of cytoreduction and neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles on survival. Limitations include our modest sample size and short follow-up of <2 years. Our characterization of response on imaging after 2–3 neoadjuvant cycles was dichotomous (yes/no), and patients who had any response represent a heterogeneous group, which could explain the lack of association with survival on multivariate models. This should be explored further in larger imaging-based studies. In addition, although we collected detailed clinical information (online supplementary Table S1), the prognosis of different subtypes of stage III and IV disease varies, and larger studies of neoadjuvant treatment should investigate the association of specific stage and outcomes.

    Conclusion

    Women with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer receiving ≥5 neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycles may have a worse prognosis, despite maximal cytoreduction. Strategies to limit surgical morbidity and optimize patient selection, as well as novel systemic therapies, should be used in this high-risk population.

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    Supplementary materials

    Footnotes

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    • Contributors YLL: Concept and design; acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; drafting of manuscript; critical revision of manuscript; final approval of manuscript; takes responsibility for all aspects of the work. QCZ, AI: Analysis and interpretation of data; statistical analysis; critical revision of manuscript; final approval of manuscript; takes responsibility for all aspects of the work. DSC, OZ, YS, GG, VB, RO'C, JAK, RG: Interpretation of data; critical revision of manuscript; final approval of manuscript; takes responsibility for all aspects of the work. CAA: Concept and design; drafting of manuscript; critical revision of manuscript; final approval of manuscript; takes responsibility for all aspects of the work. WT: Concept and design; supervision; drafting of manuscript; critical revision of manuscript; final approval of manuscript; takes responsibility for all aspects of the work. NRA-R: Concept and design; interpretation of data; drafting of manuscript; critical revision of manuscript; final approval of manuscript; takes responsibility for all aspects of the work. KLR: Concept and design; supervision; acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; drafting of manuscript; critical revision of manuscript; final approval of manuscript; takes responsibility for all aspects of the work.

    • Funding This study was funded in part through the NIH/NCI Support Grant P30 CA008748.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

    • Data availability statement All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.