Tru-cut Biopsy in Tumor Characterisation

The primary endpoint is represented by the assessment of adequacy, accuracy and safety of the procedure in prospective settings. The secondary endpoint is to evaluate feasibility of immunohistochemistry (IHC), next generation sequencing (NGS) and tumor immunology in obtained samples by TCB and to assess the alterations of these tumor characteristics in relation to the treatment. The additional endpoint includes the effect of several variables (e.g. tumor origin, size of the tumor, presence of ascites, body mass index (BMI), biopsy site, biopsy approach - transvaginal, transrectal vs. transabdominal, status of the disease - the first diagnosis, the first and other recurrence or progression and previous treatment modality - chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy, PARP inhibitor therapy, hormonal therapy, radiotherapy) on the outcome of the procedure (adequacy, accuracy and safety).

All patients indicated for tru-cut biopsy (including advanced stages of ovarian, endometrial or cervical cancers) in Gynecologic Oncology Center of the General University Hospital from February 2024 to January 2026 will be recruited. Furthermore, all patients with suspicious recurrence or progression of already known gynecologic malignancy based on the imaging methods will be recruited. The duration of recruitment is 3 years, and we expect 250 patients enrolled into the trial. Data will be assessed in relation to the patient characteristics, tumor/lesion characteristics, procedure specifications, histopathological characteristics and IHC/NGS/immunological characteristics, consequent biopsy/surgery and final histopathological results. All adverse events will be recorded. Moreover, patient related outcomes will be recorded within 72 hours after the procedure.

This prospective study could support our hypothesis that TCB is feasible and safe procedure with high adequacy and accuracy rate. It enables to get appropriate outcomes of IHC, NGS and immunology preoperatively. We expect that TCB is applicable and efficient in majority of recurrences/disease progressions, so it can be considered suitable technique for de novo biopsy. It can help us show the alterations of tumor characteristics after the previous treatment and can be used to select appropriate targeted therapy.