Ten topics were chosen among major clinical research achievements in gynecologic oncology in 2012. For
ovarian cancer, comprehensive review of the history of
bevacizumab studies was followed by poly
adenosine diphosphate [
ADP]-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors and other molecular targeted agents such as
epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor and
AMG 386. For the development of genomic study in gynecologic
cancers, BRCA and DICER1 mutations were covered in epithelial and nonepithelial
ovarian cancer, respectively. For
endometrial cancer, targeted agents including
mammalian target of rapamycin (
mTOR) inhibitors and
bevacizumab were discussed.
Radiation therapy "sandwiched" between
combination chemotherapy schedules for the treatment of uterine papillary serous
carcinoma was also reviewed. Preoperative prediction of
lymph node metastasis, definition of low-risk group, and recurrence and survival outcomes of laparoscopic approaches were addressed. For
cervical cancer, we reviewed long-term benefit of human papillomavirus test and efficacy of
paclitaxel/
carboplatin versus
paclitaxel/cisplatin in stage IVB, persistent or recurrent disease. In addition, the effect of three dimensional image-based high-dose rate
brachytherapy was also reviewed. For
vulvar cancer, the diagnostic value of sentinel lymph node biopsy was discussed. For
breast cancer, positive results of three outstanding phase III randomized clinical trials, CLEOPATRA, EMILIA, and BOLERO-2 were introduced. Lastly, updates of major practice guidelines were summarized.