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Our objective was to retrospectively review temozolomide in advanced and recurrent uterine leiomyosarcoma and to determine if tumor O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) expression correlated with clinical response.All patients with advanced or recurrent uterine leiomyosarcoma who received temozolomide during treatment were retrospectively identified. Relevant clinical and pathologic data were collected and compared. O6-Methylguanine DNA methyltransferase expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and scored by a gynecologic pathologist blinded to clinical outcomes.From 1999 to 2008, 9 cases of leiomyosarcoma were diagnosed; 6 patients received temozolomide. Median follow-up was 54 months (range, 4-114 months). There was 1 patient with complete response, 1 durable partial response (27+ months), 3 stable disease (range, 3-10 months), and 1 progressive disease. Overall, 5 out of 6 patients derived clinical benefit. The patient with a complete response recurred 18 months after her last cycle. Median progression free interval was 15.4 months (95% confidence interval, 9.4-21.4). Two patients died of disease. Temozolomide was well tolerated with no dose-limiting toxicities, and no dose adjustments were required in 64 prescribed cycles. The MGMT expression was inversely correlated with response to temozolomide. Patients with tumors negative for MGMT expression had a median progression free interval of 18.5 months compared with 3 months for those whose tumors were positive, although not statistically significant.Temozolomide is an easily administered, well-tolerated chemotherapeutic option in advanced or recurrent uterine leiomyosarcomas with a reasonable response rate. Assessment of MGMT expression may identify a subset of patients that will respond optimally to this therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine the clinicopathologic features, progression-free interval, and survival of patients with grade 3 endometrioid endometrial cancer (G3 EEC) and malignant mixed müllerian tumors (MMMTs). Akt, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and HER-2/neu expression in these histologic subtypes was also investigated. Associations between phosphorylated Akt and clinicopathologic features were tested.One hundred nineteen women whose conditions were diagnosed with MMMT or G3 EEC from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2003, met inclusion criteria. Retrospective data review was performed. In addition, Akt and EGFR protein expression was measured in tissue samples using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to assay HER-2/neu gene amplification.Fifty-nine patients with MMMT and 60 patients with G3 EEC were identified. Patients with MMMT were older (P = 0.055), more likely to be African American (P = 0.049), have a family history of breast cancer (P = 0.039), have disease involving the uterine cervix (P = 0.007), and experience postoperative complications (P = 0.012). Patients with MMMT had a significantly shorter progression-free interval (23 vs 57 months, P = 0.001) and survival (55 vs 92 months, P = 0.001) than patients with G3 EEC.Grade 3 EEC and MMMT have significantly higher phospho-Akt levels than grade 1 EEC and normal controls. Phospho-Akt was associated with depth of myometrial invasion (r = 0.46, P = 0.05), but not with stage, lymph-vascular space invasion, or tumor size. The mesenchymal component of MMMT preferentially demonstrated EGFR expression relative to the epithelial component (45% vs 13%, P = 0.06). HER-2/neu amplification was observed in 1 of 37 samples.Improved therapy is warranted for both poorly differentiated EEC and MMMT. Recognition of similarities and differences between MMMT and other high-grade histologic types of uterine cancer may provide rationale for new treatment approaches possibly incorporating targeted biological therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]