Overexpression of the unfolded protein response (UPR) master regulator GRP78 is associated with poor prognosis and therapeutic resistance in numerous human cancers, yet its role in endometrial cancers (EC) is undefined. To better understand the contribution of GRP78 to EC, we examined its expression levels in EC patient samples and EC cell lines. We demonstrate that GRP78 overexpression occurs more frequently in EC tissues compared to that found in normal endometrium, and that GRP78 expression occurs in most EC cell lines examined. Functional analysis demonstrated that GRP78 is inducible by cisplatin in EC cells, and siRNA knockdown of GRP78 augments chemotherapy-mediated cell death. Examination of AKT and GRP78 expression demonstrated that inhibition of AKT activity by MK2206 blocks GRP78 expression in EC cells. SiRNA studies also revealed that knockdown of GRP78 reduces but does not abrogate AKT activity, demonstrating that GRP78 is required for optimal AKT activity. In the presence of MK2206, siRNA knockdown of GRP78 does not augment AKT mediated survival in response to cisplatin treatment, suggesting that GRP78’s anti-apoptosis functions are part of the AKT survival pathway. Targeted therapies that reduce GRP78 expression or activity in cancers may serve to increase the effectiveness of current therapies for EC patients.

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Objective Palliative care is recognized as an important component of oncologic care. We sought to assess the quality/quantity of palliative care education in gynecologic oncology fellowship. Methods A self-administered on-line questionnaire was distributed to current gynecologic oncology fellow and candidate members during the 2013 academic year. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Of 201 fellow and candidate members, 74.1% (n = 149) responded. Respondents were primarily women (75%) and white (76%). Only 11% of respondents participated in a palliative care rotation. Respondents rated the overall quality of teaching received on management of ovarian cancer significantly higher than management of patients at end of life (EOL), independent of level of training (8.25 vs. 6.23; p < 0.0005). Forty-six percent reported never being observed discussing transition of care from curative to palliative with a patient, and 56% never received feedback about technique regarding discussions on EOL care. When asked to recall their most recent patient who had died, 83% reported enrollment in hospice within 4 weeks of death. Fellows reporting higher quality EOL education were significantly more likely to feel prepared to care for patients at EOL (p < 0.0005). Mean ranking of preparedness increased with the number of times a fellow reported discussing changing goals from curative to palliative and the number of times he/she received feedback from an attending (p < 0.0005). Conclusions Gynecologic oncology fellow/candidate members reported insufficient palliative care education. Those respondents reporting higher quality EOL training felt more prepared to care for dying patients and to address complications commonly encountered in this setting.