WP 1.3: FRAGINOC study: The impact of FRAilty screening and Geriatric assessment and INtervention in older patients with epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is diagnosed in older comorbid women. Potential curative treatment is a combination of extensive surgery and chemotherapy, either as primary debulking surgery (PDS) followed by chemotherapy or as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with interval debulking surgery (IDS). However, 43% of EOC patients aged > 70 are not referred to surgery. Several organizations recommend a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and derived interventions before and during the oncological treatment to guide decision-making. Likewise, a combination of aerobic and resistance training is recommended during and after oncological treatment, as it has been proved to reduce complications in other cancer types. Screening tools to identify frail patients have been developed, but neither CGA, exercise therapy or the screening tools have been validated in EOC.
Aims: To examine whether CGA and physical training can increase the number of patients referred to IDS, completion of chemotherapy treatment, and its impact ontreatment outcomes and quality of life. Additionally, to examine the performance of three screening tools to identify deficiencies in CGA.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with EOC > 70 are included and screened for frailty. Patients selected for NACT are r andomized 1:1 to CGA and derived interventions along with exercise therapy or standard of care . Patients referred to PDS or palliative care will be followed in an observational cohort.
Perspectives: Systematic frailty screening and optimization of older EOC patients will result in a better selection of patients before treatment, more patients undergoing surgery and complete chemotherapy,
prevent complications and ultimately improving quality of life.

Awarded to: Tine Henrichsen Schnack (Odense University Hospital) – CFA1

Awarded grant to support VIP personnel.