Federation Of Gynecology And Obstetrics Score Research Articles

18F-FDG PET/CT May Predict Tumor Type and Risk Score in Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting pathological prognostic factors, including tumor type and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score, in gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). Retrospective monocentric study including 24 consecutive patients who underwent to 18F-FDG PET/CT from May 2005 to March 2021 for GTD staging purpose. The following semiquantitative PET parameters were measured from the primary tumor and used for the analysis: maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUVmean, metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolisis (TLG). Statistical analysis included Spearman correlation coefficient to evaluate the correlations between imaging parameters and tumor type (nonmolar trophoblastic vs postmolar trophoblastic tumors) and risk groups (high vs low, defined according to the FIGO score), whereas area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive value of the PET parameters. Mann-Whitney U test was used to further describe the parameter's potential in differentiating the populations. SUVmax and SUVmean resulted fair (AUC, 0.783; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.95) and good (AUC, 0.811; 95% CI, 0.59-0.97) predictors of tumor type, respectively, showing a low (ρ = 0.489, adjusted P = 0.030) and moderate (ρ = 0.538, adjusted P = 0.027) correlation. According to FIGO score, TLG was instead a fair predictor (AUC, 0.770; 95% CI, 0.50-0.99) for patient risk stratification. 18F-FDG PET parameters have a role in predicting GTD pathological prognostic factors, with SUVmax and SUVmean being predictive for tumor type and TLG for risk stratification.

Doppler-based predictive model for methotrexate resistance in low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia with myometrial invasion: prospective study of 147 patients.

ABSTRACTObjectivesThis prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the vascularization characteristics of low‐risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) using Doppler imaging and to develop a predictive model for resistance to methotrexate (MTX).MethodsPatients with low‐risk GTN receiving primary MTX treatment were enrolled from the Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China, from September 2012 to August 2018. The primary endpoint was to develop and internally validate a predictive model for resistance to MTX therapy in these patients. In the training set, clinical features and Doppler hemodynamic parameters before MTX therapy were analyzed using logistic regression to identify independent predictors of MTX resistance, which were integrated into the model. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated by leave‐one‐out cross‐validation in the training dataset and internal validation in an independent‐sample test dataset.ResultsThe entire imaging protocol was completed by 147 eligible patients, of which 110 comprised the training set and 37 the test set. In the training set, cases with myometrial invasion (81.8%; 90/110) showed vascular‐enriched areas in the myometrium and high velocity and low impedance ratios of the uterine artery (UtA) compared to cases without myometrial invasion (18.2%; 20/110). On multivariate logistic regression analysis, time‐averaged mean velocity in UtA (UtA‐TAmean) and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score were identified as independent predictors (P = 0.009 and P = 0.043, respectively) of MTX resistance. The Doppler‐based predictive model, developed based on the 90 cases with myometrial invasion, was y = −2.95332 + 0.41696 × FIGO score + 0.03551 × UtA‐TAmean. The model showed an area under the curve of 0.757 (95% CI, 0.653–0.862) and the optimal cut‐off value was 0.50622, which had 45.2% sensitivity and 96.6% specificity. The model stratified patients with low‐risk GTN into low (< 10%), intermediate (10–90%) and high (> 90%) probability of MTX resistance, based on the threshold values of −1.59544 and 0.10046. The model had an accuracy of 74.4% (95% CI, 64.5–82.3%) in the cross‐validation and 72.7% (95% CI, 55.8–84.9%) in the internal validation.ConclusionsThe Doppler‐based predictive model, combining a non‐invasive marker of tumor vascularity with the FIGO scoring system, can differentiate cases with low from those with high probability of developing MTX resistance and therefore has the potential to guide treatment options in patients with low‐risk GTN and myometrial invasion. © 2020 Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Management and prognostic analysis of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) in FIGO stage IV and its special type

GTN is a group malignant diseases from placental trophoblastic cells. There are very few cases of GTN with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage IV all over the world, and the special types (patients with metastatic lesions and with no evidence of GTN neither in genitalia nor in lungs) have rarely been reported. It is necessary to conduct large retrospective studies aimed at exploring the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of this disease. In this retrospective study, 716 patients with GTN were treated at Zhejiang University School of Medicine Women’s Hospital between January 1999 and September 2019; 26 patients were diagnosed as stage IV GTN; Among the 26 stage IV GTN patients, 5 were defined as the special types. The 5-year OS rate of the total 26 FIGO stage IV GTN patients was 69.0%. There was no significant difference of survival rate between stage IV GTN and its special type. And no significant differences in blood type, antecedent pregnancy type, the interval from last known pregnancy, pretreatment serum HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) level, maximum diameter of tumors, FIGO score, underwent surgery or not and pathological pattern by the outcomes. Age, number of tumor lesions, primary chemotherapy regimen was EMA-CO or EP-EMA protocol and chemoresponse affected the prognosis significantly. Only number of tumor lesions > 8 was independent prognostic factors associated with poorer OS.

Preliminary study of PD-1 inhibitor in the treatment of drug-resistant recurrent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of programmed cell death receptor 1 (PD-1) inhibitor in drug-resistant recurrent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Methods: Clinicopathological features, previous treatments, PD-1 inhibitor treatment and prognosis of 8 patients with drug-resistant recurrent GTN treated with PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab， in Peking Union Medical College Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from August 2018 to June 2019 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results: (1) Clinicopathological features: the average age of onset of 8 GTN patients was 32.9 years old (31-39 years old); pathological types: choriocarcinoma in 7 cases, epithelioid trophoblastic tumor in 1 case. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages: stage Ⅲ in 5 cases, stage Ⅳ in 3 cases; FIGO score: 4 patients with 7-12 points (high-risk group) and 4 patients with ≥13 points (ultra high-risk group). All the 8 patients had lung metastasis, 2 patients with brain metastasis, 1 patient with kidney and 1 patient with intestinal metastasis. (2) Previous treatments: ① Chemotherapy: 8 patients with GTN received an average of 21.1 courses (5-30 courses) of chemotherapy; the main route was systemic intravenous chemotherapy. One patient received intrathecal methotrexate chemotherapy due to brain metastasis. ② Surgery: 7 of 8 patients with GTN received surgical treatment, including 5 cases of pelvic surgury, 6 cases of pulmonary lobectomy and 1 case of right hemicolectomy. ③ Radiotherapy: 2 of 8 patients with GTN received radiotherapy, among which 1 patient received radiotherapy for lung for 8 times due to lung metastasis, and the other one received radiotherapy for lung, right sacroiliac joint and skull for a total of 22 times. (3) PD-1 inhibitor treatment: 8 patients with GTN received PD-1 inhibitor treatment with a mean course of 9 (2-12 courses). Six patients appeared Ⅰ-Ⅱ grade of immune related adverse events (AE), and no severe AE occurred. (4) Prognosis: after 2-3 courses of PD-1 inhibitor treatment, serum β-hCG level came to normalization in 4 patients. They were followed up for 2-7 months without any recurrence after 0-9 courses of consolidation treatment. One patient received 12 courses of PD-1 inhibitor treatment. The serum β-hCG level normalized after the 6th courses but increased 1 months later, and then received bevacizumab treatment due to the progression of the disease. The remaining 3 patients received other chemotherapy regiments due to disease progression during PD-1 inhibitor treatment. Conclusions: PD-1 could be used as a remedial treatment for drug-resistant recurrent GTN, with a high effective rate and relatively mild AE. However, more cases need to be accumulated clinically and efficacy should be comprehensively evaluated in combination with pathology and immunohistochemical examination.

Expression pattern Nanog is associated with the development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in Chinese women from Fujian province: a case-control study

Background Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a group of interrelated but distinct diseases and has a serious impact on the reproductive health of women. To analyze the expression of Nanog in GTD and to evaluate its potential to predict the development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Methods The study included 41 normal first-trimester placentas matched by gestational age to 53 regressed-hydatidiform-moles (rHMs), 56 malignant-HMs (mHMs) and 17 choriocarcinomas (CCAs) and evaluated the Nanog expression by immunohistochemistry. The chi-square test, ANOVA, Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were performed to assess the Nanog expression and clinical prognostic factors in GTD. Results Compared to normal placenta levels, the Nanog expression was increased in GTD samples (p < .05). In HMs, Nanog expression was positively correlated with serum β-hCG levels,uterine size and theca-lutein cysts (p < .05). Compared with the low-risk metastatic group (Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score ≤ 6), the high-risk metastatic group (FIGO score >7) had higher Nanog expression (p = .030). Moreover, logistic regression analysis showed that the positive expression of Nanog had the highest risk of developing into GTN (OR = 4.764, p < .001). Conclusions Nanog is an independent predictor of clinical outcomes. It can also be a reliable predictor for GTN development from GTD.

Evaluation and influence of lung metastasis on patient outcome in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: A 10-year study at a single institution

ObjectivesTo evaluate the outcomes and related factors of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) with lung metastasis in comparison with GTN without metastasis. Study designGTN is a spectrum of diseases arising from trophoblastic cells, and treatment outcome is promising because of its high sensitivity to chemotherapy. Lung metastasis is not usually considered to be an adverse prognostic factor in the evaluation and treatment of GTN. The clinical records of 48 GTN patients with lung metastasis and 162 GTN patients without metastasis were reviewed and analysed retrospectively from 2003 to 2013. Data were compared between patients with and without metastasis. ResultsTwenty-five percent of GTN patients with lung metastasis presented with pre-treatment serum human chorionic gonadotropin ≥105 mIU/mL, which was significantly higher compared with GTN patients without metastasis (9.3 %, p < 0.01). Regarding the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score, 39.6 % of patients with lung metastasis were in the high-risk group (FIGO score ≥ 7), compared with 13.6 % of patients without metastasis (p < 0.01). However, on multi-variate analysis, only a FIGO score ≥7 was associated with lung metastasis. The relapse rate of GTN patients with lung metastasis was significantly higher than that of those without metastasis (8.3 % vs 0.6 %, p < 0.05). In the patients who relapsed, non-postmolar GTN, high-risk GTN and first-line chemoresistance were observed more frequently compared with the patients who did not relapse (p < 0.05). ConclusionGTN patients with lung metastasis appear to have increased risk of relapse compared with GTN patients without metastasis. To overcome this, there is a need to consider adjustment of the FIGO scoring system to enable GTN patients with lung metastasis to receive more intensive chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia patients with a FIGO score of 12 or greater: A multistudy analysis

ObjectiveTo enable a comparison of reported chemotherapy regimens in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) patients with a International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score ≥12. Study designStudies reporting cases of GTN with a FIGO score ≥12 were collected and screened for eligibility. A total of 17 studies encompassing 256 patients were included in final analysis. ResultsIn the first-line setting, etoposide-methotrexate-dactinomycin alternating with cyclophosphamide-vincristine (EMA/CO), etoposide-platinum alternating with EMA (EP/EMA), and floxuridine-dactinomycin-etoposide-vincristine (FAEV) were the three most commonly used regimens. The complete response (CR) rate was 55.2% for EMA/CO, 60.0% for EP/EMA, and 63.1% for FAEV. There was no significant difference in CR rate among EMA/CO, EP/EMA and FAEV in the first-line setting. While limited by low number, the CR rate was 66.67% for methotrexate-bleomycin -etoposide (MBE), and 25% for vincristine-dactinomycin-cyclophosphamide (VAC). Of the patients who failed initial therapy, EMA/CO, EP/EMA, and paclitaxel- cisplatin alternating with paclitaxel-etoposide (TP/TE) were the three most commonly used salvage regimens. The CR rate was 39.7% for EMA/CO, 35.0% for EP/EMA, and 11.8% for TP/TE. While limited by low number, MBE was used in 5 patients and yielded a 80% CR rate. Of the fatal cases, 21 (61.8%) patients had brain metastases, and 41.2% (14/34) of the deaths were early deaths. ConclusionEMA/CO, EP/EMA, and FAEV yielded comparable CR rates in GTN patients with a FIGO score ≥12 in the first-line setting.

Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia: A Tunisian Multicenter Study

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) develops from abnormal cellular proliferation of trophoblasts following fertilization. It includes benign trophoblastic disease (hydatidiform moles (HM) and the malignant trophoblastic diseases or gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). The frequency of the GTD in Tunisia is one per 918 deliveries. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcomes of GTD at Salah Azaiez Institute (ISA). Medical records of women diagnosed with GTD at ISA from January 1, 1981 to December 31, 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) score was determined retrospectively for patients treated before 2002 One hundred and nine patients with GTN were included. Patients presented with metastases at 43% of cases. The most common metastatic sites was lung (30%) and vagina (13%). 56 (51%) patients had low-risk and 21 (19%) cases had high-risk, the FIGO score was not assessed in 32 cases. After a median follow-up of 46 months, 21 patients were lost to follow-up, 12 patients died, 19 progressed and 8 relapsed. At 10 years, the OS rate was 85% and the PFS rate 79%. OS was significantly influenced by the presence of metastases at presentation (M0 100 % vs. Metastatic 62 %; p &lt; 0.0001), FIGO stage (I-II 100% VS 61% and 65% for stage III and IV; p &lt; 0.001), FIGO score (low-risk 99 % vs. high-risk 78 %; p &lt; 0.001). GTN is a significant source of maternal morbidity with increased risk of mortality from complications if not detected early and treated promptly.

Curative effects and influenced factors of EMA-CO as an initial regimen for the treatment of high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of EMA-CO as an initial regimen for high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and to analysis the influenced factors. Methods: A total of 81 patients with high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (HRGTN) treated in Women Hospital Affiliated Zhejiang University from Jan 2007 to Jan 2017 whose primary chemotherapies were EMA-CO were enrolled.The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) prognosis score of all the patients was ≥7.The relationships of different factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: Fifty-five of 81 patients (67.90%) achieved complete primary remission with single EMA-CO regimen, 12 patients (14.81%) achieved complete primary remission with EMA-CO regimen and surgery, and 14 patients (17.28%) achieved drug resistance.The univariate and multivariate analysis showed that the FIGO score (P=0.004, OR 1.336, 95%CI 1.099-1.623) was an independent predictive factor for the outcome of EMA-CO regimen. Conclusions: EMA-CO is the first-line regimen used to treat patients with HRGTN. Salvage therapies such as EMA-EP regimen and adjuvant surgery are still effective treatments. The FIGO score is an independent risk factors for the outcome of EMA-CO regimen.

Management and prognosis of patients with liver metastases from gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: a retrospective cohort study.

PurposeThe aims of this study were to analyze the clinical features, identify prognostic factors, and evaluate the survival outcomes of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) patients with liver metastases.Patients and methodsForty patients with liver metastases arising from GTNs, who were treated at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (Beijing, People’s Republic of China) between January 1999 and December 2015, were recruited from the institutional database, and their medical records were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for survival.ResultsTwenty-seven patients (67.5%) achieved complete remission after multidrug chemotherapy treatment. The remaining 13 patients (32.5%) had disease progression. Eighteen patients (45.0%) died during treatment or follow-up. A history of failed multidrug chemotherapy was an independent risk factor for survival (OR: 5.57, 95% CI: 1.42–21.86, P=0.014). Moreover, patients with an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score of >16 had a significantly poorer survival than those with a score of ≤16 (P<0.001).ConclusionGTN with liver metastasis is a very rare disease with a relatively poor prognosis. Patients with a history of failed multidrug chemotherapy and a FIGO score of >16 have poorer survival outcomes. Multidrug chemotherapy is the key to the management of GTN patients with liver metastases.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis of ultra high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia patients: A retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveThe gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) patients with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score≥12 are defined as ultra high-risk GTN. This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics, the treatment efficiency, and the prognosis of ultra high-risk GTN patients. MethodsBetween January 2002 and December 2015, medical record data of 143 GTN patients with FIGO score≥12 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) were reviewed. Ratios were compared using chi-square test, and prognostic risk factors were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis. ResultsAmong the 143 ultra high-risk GTN patients, 94 (65.7%) patients had achieved complete remission and 15.9% (15/94) patients relapsed after complete remission. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the entire cohort approached 67.9%. The results of the multivariate analysis revealed that non-molar antecedent pregnancy [Relative risk (RR) 4.689, 95% CI 1.448–15.189, P=0.010], brain metastases (RR 2.280, 95% CI 1.248–4.163, P=0.007), previous failed multiagent chemotherapy (RR 5.345, 95% CI 2.222–12.857, P=0.000) and surgery (RR 0.336, 95% CI 0.177–0.641, P=0.001) all had influence on the prognosis of ultra high-risk GTN patients. ConclusionsGTN patients with FIGO score≥12 have a poor prognosis. More emphasis should be placed on non-molar antecedent pregnancy, brain metastases, and previous multiagent chemotherapy failure. Moreover, salvage surgery may improve the prognosis. Floxuridine-based multiagent chemotherapy is effective with manageable toxicity for ultra high-risk GTN patients.

Factors related to treatment outcomes in low-risk gestational neoplasia.

To define the factors associated with methotrexate (MTX) resistance in patients with low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). A total of 63 patients with low-risk GTN according to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) criteria were included. A total of 37 (58.7%) patients were treated with successive doses of 1 mg/kg intramuscular (IM) MTX on days 1, 3, 5, and 7, and 0.1 mg/kg IM folinic acid (FA) on days 2, 4, 6, and 8, until β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels were normalized. After the β-hCG value dropped to the normal level, an additional cycle of MTX/FA was administered. This protocol is defined as the standard protocol. In a watchful waiting protocol, the same 8-day IM MTX/FA regimen was given only once (n = 8) or twice (n = 18) to 26 (41.3%) patients and patients in whom β-hCG values declined were subjected to follow-up and no additional cycles were administered as long as there was a decrease in β-hCG value. Clinical response and factors affecting therapeutic outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Of 63 patients, 47 (74.3%) were cured with primary MTX/FA treatment irrespective of any protocol. Of the 16 patients who were not able to be treated with primary MTX/FA, 3 were treated with single-agent actinomycin-D and 11 were treated with multi-agent chemotherapy. Univariate analysis showed that a pretreatment β-hCG level of ≥5000 IU/L was related to reduced therapeutic response (p = 0.001). The FIGO score, antecedent gestational pathology, and treatment with standard or watchful waiting protocol were not related to treatment response. The level of β-hCG prior to therapy is an important factor for predicting therapeutic outcomes. It should be noted that the success of the therapy decreases notably in case of high β-hCG level.

Circulating Tumor DNA: A Potential Novel Diagnostic Approach in Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia

Circulating Tumor DNA: A Potential Novel Diagnostic Approach in Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia

Hormonal contraceptive use before hCG remission does not increase the risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia following complete hydatidiform mole: a historical database review.

To re-evaluate the safety of hormonal contraceptives (HC) after uterine evacuation of complete hydatidiform mole (CHM). Historical database review. Charing Cross Hospital Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Centre, London, United Kingdom. Two thousand four hundred and twenty-three women with CHM of whom 154 commenced HC while their human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was still elevated, followed between 2003 and 2012. We compared time to hCG remission between HC users and nonusers. The relationship between HC use and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) development was assessed. The relationship between HC use and a high International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) risk score was determined. Time to hCG remission, risk of developing postmolar GTN and proportion of women with high FIGO risk score. No relationship was observed between HC use with mean time to hCG remission (HC users versus non-users: 12weeks in both, P=0.19), GTN development (HC users versus non-users: 20.1 and 16.7%, P=0.26) or high-risk FIGO score (HC users versus nonusers: 0% and 8%, P=0.15). Moreover, no association between HC and GTN development was found, even when an age-adjusted model was used (OR = 1.37, 95% CI 0.91-2.08, P=0.13). The use of current HC is not associated with development of postmolar GTN or delayed time to hCG remission. Therefore, HC can be safely used to prevent a new conception following CHM regardless of hCG level. Non-concurrent cohort study to re-evaluate the safety of low dose HCs after uterine evacuation of CHM.

Management and prognosis of patients with brain metastasis from gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: a 24-year experience in Peking union medical college hospital.

BackgroundThe optimal treatment for patients with brain metastasis from gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) has not been established. This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics and the management of brain metastasis from GTN in relation to patients’ outcomes.MethodsWe retrospectively investigated 109 GTN patients with brain metastasis treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1990 to December 2013. Patients mainly received multiagent chemotherapy with florouracil or floxuridine, dactinomycin, etoposide, and vincristine (FAEV) combined with intrathecal methotrexate with or without surgery.ResultsIn the 109 patients, sixty-two (56.1%) patients presented for primary therapy and 47 patients had failed chemotherapy elsewhere. Eight early demise patients who died before or during first cycle of chemotherapy were excluded from analysis. The median follow-up time was 47 months (range 9–180 months). The overall 5-year survival rate (OS) was 71.1%, while the OS rate for patients receiving primary chemotherapy in our hospital was 85.5%, and this fell to 51.9% in patients with failure multidrug chemotherapy elsewhere. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) scores over 12 (Hazard ratio-HR 1.279, 95% CI 1.061-1.541, P = 0.010), failure of previous multidrug chemotherapy (HR 3.177, 95% CI 1.277-7.908, P = 0.013), and concurrent renal metastasis (HR 2.654, 95% CI 1.125-6.261, P = 0.026) were the risk factors of overall survival in patients with brain metastases from GTN.ConclusionsPatients with brain metastasis from GTN have favorable outcome by multidrug chemotherapy and adjuvant therapies. Nevertheless, the prognosis is poor if the patients had previous multidrug failure chemotherapy history, concomitant with renal metastasis, or FIGO score over 12. Initial treatment with FAEV combined with intrathecal methotrexate chemotherapy can bring bright prospect to patients with brain metastases from GTN.

Effects of primary chemotherapy with single methotrexate on low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and influencing factors thereof

To evaluate the effects of primary chemotherapy with single-agent methotrexate (MTX) on low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) and the influencing factors thereof. Sixty-one GTN patients with the score of < or = 6 according to the new International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) scoring system (2000) were divided into 2 groups: 51 patients were treated with single MTX 0.4 mg/kg daily for 5 days (MTX 5 d group), and 10 patients were treated with MTX on the days 1, 3, 5, and 7, and with folinic acid (FA) 0.1 mg/kg on the days 2, 4, 6, and 8 (MTX + FA group), both group with an interval of treatment course of 2 weeks. The serum level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was detected every week. If a plateau or increase of serum hCG appeared between 2 examination results, meaning tolerance to MTX, the patients concerned had to undergo different regimens of salvage chemotherapy, all with MTX as one of their components. Univariate and multivariate methods were used to analyze the relationships of different factors to the outcomes of chemotherapy. Thirty-five of the 51 patients of the MTX 5d group (68.6%) achieved complete primary remission, 3 of the 10 patients of the MTX + FA group achieved complete primary remission, and all patients achieved complete remission after salvage chemotherapy. Univariate analysis showed that the mean pretreatment serum level of hCG, duration between antecedent pregnancy and start of treatment, size of tumor, FIGO score, specific regimen of MTX were significantly associated with outcome of chemotherapy (P = 0.004, 0.022, 0.017, 0.005, 0.021 respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that only three independent factors predictive for the outcome of chemotherapy: MTX regimen (OR = 2.476), FIGO score (OR = 1.431), and pretreatment hCG titer (OR = 1.001). Primary chemotherapy with single MTX regimen may still be one of the options for patients with low-risk GTN according to the new FIGO scoring system, though the rate of complete primary remission appears to be lower. All patients with low-risk GTN achieve complete remission after salvage chemotherapy. MTX regimen, FIGO score, and pretreatment hCG are independent risk factors of outcome of single MTX chemotherapy.