Objective: With the development of novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), folate receptor alpha (FOLR1) is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of platinum-resistant tuboovarian carcinomas. The main aims of this study were to assess FOLR1 protein expression in a large cohort of ovarian carcinoma histotypes. To inform future clinical trial design we identified molecular correlates of FOLR1 expression in low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC). Methods: One thousand five hundred forty-seven ovarian carcinoma samples from 5 different Canadian cohorts were successfully evaluated by immunohistochemistry for FOLR1 expression using the PS2+ system. Statistical analyses with clinicopathological parameters, LGSC molecular subtypes, and overall survival (OS) were performed. Results: High FOLR1 expression was detected in 44% of high-grade serous carcinomas, and in 30% LGSC, 8% clear cell, 6% endometrioid, and 0% mucinous and/or mesonephrictype adenocarcinomas. In 160 LGSC cases, FOLR1 expression was more frequent in cases with normal MAPK pathway status (37% MAPK wild type vs. 14% canonical MAPK pathway mutations; p=0.002), low progesterone receptor (PR) expression (41%) vs. 23% (Allred score >2; p=0.02), and p16 loss (48% p16 absent vs. 26% normal; p=0.03). Canonical MAPK mutation status and PR expression remained significant on multivariable analysis. No significant associations between OS and FOLR1 expression were observed. Conclusion A significant proportion of LGSC express high FOLR1 levels supporting the development of clinical trials to investigate ADCs targeting FOLR1 as novel agents for treating this disease. In LGSC, high FOLR1 expression was associated with fewer MAPK pathway alterations, low PR expression, and p16 loss.

Objective To assess the results of paediatric liver transplantation in our institution. Methods From September 1993 to November 1996, 10 living-related liver transplants (LRLT) and 3 reduced-size liver transplants (RSLT) were performed on 12 children at our hospital. The medical records of the patients were reviewed. All patients suffered from end-stage liver disease resulting from biliary atresia with failed Kasai's operations. Their ages at initial transplantation ranged from 8 months to 11 years. Excluding the 2 older children aged 7.5 and 11 years, the remaining patients were aged 10.5 months on the average and weighed 6 to 9.5 kg (mean: 6.8 kg) at the time of initial transplantation.Results All living donors were discharged on postoperative day 4 to 8 and resumed their previous normal activities. All recipients were alive with normal liver function and growing after a follow-up period of 3-40 months (mean: 21 months). The patient survival rate was 100%. One patient with RSLT had hepatitis of undetermined aetiology and underwent retransplant with a graft from her mother. The graft survival rate was 92%. Postoperative complications included: postoperative bleeding (n=3), hepatic vein stenosis (n=l), biliary-enteric anastomotic stenosis (n=3), intestinal perforation (n=l) and portal vein thrombosis (n=l). They were all treated promptly. In all patients, the hepatic artery (diameter ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 mm) anastomosis was achieved by microvascular technique. There was no hepatic artery thrombosis in our patients. Conclusion With technical refinements, early detection and prompt treatment of complications, and advances in immunotherapy, excellent results can be achieved in paediatric liver transplantation.