Ten‐year follow‐up of a phase 2 study of dose‐intense paclitaxel with cisplatin and cyclophosphamide as initial therapy for poor‐prognosis,advanced‐stage epithelial ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND:

The objective of this study was to assess activity and toxicity in patients with newly diagnosed, advanced‐stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) who were receiving dose‐intense paclitaxel, cyclophosphamide, cisplatin, and filgrastim delivered with a flexible dosing schedule.

METHODS:

Patients with stage III/IV EOC received cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m², followed by a 24‐hour infusion of paclitaxel 250 mg/m² and cisplatin 75 mg/m² on Day 2. Filgrastim began on Day 3 at 10 μg/kg daily for 9 days. Patients received 6 cycles of all drugs. Those who achieved a pathologic complete response or had microscopic residual disease at the conclusion of 6 cycles of therapy received an additional 2 to 4 cycles of paclitaxel with cyclophosphamide. Patients who had an objective response continued on cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel.

RESULTS:

Sixty‐two patients were enrolled. Thirty‐two of 62 patients had stage IIIC disease, and 26 of 62 patients had stage IV disease. According to an intent‐to‐treat analysis, 55 patients (89%) experienced a clinical complete remission. At a median potential follow‐up of 11.4 years, the median progression‐free survival was 18.9 months, and the median survival was 5.4 years. The most serious toxicity was grade 3/4 neutropenic fever (35%). Although all participants developed peripheral neuropathy, improvement in neuropathic symptoms began with the decrease or cessation of paclitaxel.

CONCLUSIONS:

The studied regimen yielded a high response rate and encouraging overall survival. The current data and those reported by the Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group suggest that further study is warranted of dose‐dense or dose‐intense paclitaxel regimens in women with newly diagnosed, advanced‐stage EOC. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.