Phase II trial of weekly docetaxel for patients with relapsed ovarian cancer who have previously received paclitaxel--ANZGOG 02-01

OBJECTIVE: To determine the response rate of weekly docetaxel in women with relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer previously treated with paclitaxel and at least one line of platinum-based chemotherapy. METHODS: In this multi-center phase II trial, 37 patients with relapsed disease were enrolled and treated with weekly docetaxel at 35 mg/m for 5 out of 6 consecutive weeks. Two patient cohorts were considered, those who progressed or relapsed within 4 months (N=7) or at greater than 4 months (N=30) from the time of completing their last course of paclitaxel. RESULTS: Patients in both cohorts received a median of 2 cycles of treatment (range; 1-4). In evaluable patients, the combined overall response rate, using both CA125 and RECIST response criteria was 18.9% (7/37; 95% CI; 10-34%). The combined overall progression-free survival was 3.1 months (95% CI; 2.5-3.8), and the combined overall survival was 12.3 months (95% CI; 8.2-16.4). Treatment was generally well tolerated with the only grade 4 toxicity being skin toxicity (3%). The most common grade 3 toxicities were fatigue (14%) and watery eyes (8%) with grade 3 neutropenia observed in only 5% of patients. CONCLUSION: Weekly docetaxel is well tolerated and has activity in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer previously treated with platinum and paclitaxel.     

Phase II trial of weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) in platinum and paclitaxel-resistant ovarian and primary peritoneal cancers: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the activity of single agent weekly paclitaxel in patients with both platinum and paclitaxel (delivered every 3 weeks)-resistant ovarian cancer. METHODS: Forty-eight patients with platinum and paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer (defined as progression during, or recurrence < 6 months following, their prior treatment with both agents) received single agent weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2/week) until disease progression (assuming acceptable toxicity). Following the initial 12 weekly doses, treatment could be given for 3 weeks, with a 1 week break. RESULTS: In this chemoresistant population, the objective response rate was 20.9%. Serious adverse events were relatively uncommon (neuropathy-grade 2: 21%; grade 3: 4%; and grade 3 fatigue: 8%). CONCLUSION: The weekly administration of paclitaxel can be a useful management approach in women with both platinum and paclitaxel (given every 3 weeks)-resistant ovarian cancer. It would be appropriate to directly compare weekly to every 3-week paclitaxel delivery in the setting of primary chemotherapy of advanced ovarian cancer.     

A pilot study of weekly docetaxel therapy for recurrent ovarian cancer, tubal cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer

We investigated the efficacy and toxicity of salvage chemotherapy with weekly docetaxel for recurrent ovarian cancer, tubal cancer, and primary peritoneal cancer after treatment with regimens containing platinum or paclitaxel. The 15 subjects were managed as outpatients and received at least two courses of docetaxel therapy (35 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15). Antitumour activity was assessed radiologically and from the CA-125 level. Among five patients with measurable lesions, one showed partial remission and three showed stable disease. Based on CA-125 levels, there were three partial remissions and five patients with stable disease (progression-free survival was 7.5 months and 7.6 months, respectively). During 61 courses, the severe toxicities were grade 3 leukopaenia/neutropaenia (6.7%) or grade 2 oedema and pleural effusion (13.3%). Weekly docetaxel may be useful salvage chemotherapy for recurrent ovarian cancer, tubal cancer, and peritoneal cancer, especially as tumour dormancy therapy.     

Phase 2 evaluation of topotecan administered on a 3-day schedule in the treatment of platinum- and paclitaxel-refractory ovarian cancer

PURPOSE; The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity and efficacy of a more convenient topotecan administration schedule (in contrast to the "standard" 1.5 mg/m(2)/day x 5 days q 21 days) in the management of platinum- and paclitaxel-refractory ovarian cancer. METHODS: Patients with clinically defined platinum- and paclitaxel-refractory ovarian cancer participating in this phase 2 trial conducted by the Gynecologic Cancer Program of the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center received topotecan at a dose of 1.5 mg/m(2)/day x 3 days on a 21-day schedule. Both dose escalations and reductions were permitted in the protocol design. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients (median age: 61; range: 43-80) were treated with this modified topotecan schedule. These individuals had received a median of two prior regimens (range: 1-4) (retreatment with a platinum agent or paclitaxel considered a single regimen). The median number of topotecan courses delivered was 3 (range: 1-7). Major toxicity included grade 4 neutropenia (24% of patients); neutropenic fever (10%); grade 3 thrombocytopenia (10%); and requirement for blood transfusion (14%). Dose escalation was possible, and dose reductions required, in 14 and 28% of patients, respectively. Two patients exhibited evidence of a clinically relevant response to treatment. CONCLUSION: This 3-day topotecan program is more convenient and less toxic than the standard 5-day regimen. The limited level of activity observed is not inconsistent with that previously reported for the 5-day topotecan infusion schedule in platinum/paclitaxel-refractory ovarian cancer. Further investigation will be required to document the clinical utility of a 3-day topotecan schedule in a less heavily pretreated and more chemosensitive patient population.     

Treatment of relapsed carcinoma of the ovary with single-agent paclitaxel following exposure to paclitaxel and platinum employed as initial therapy

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of paclitaxel to achieve a second clinical response in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma who responded to standard therapy with platinum and paclitaxel in the initial setting. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with epithelial ovarian who demonstrated a complete response to paclitaxel and platinum in the initial treatment setting were retreated with paclitaxel as a single agent for relapse of their disease. Paclitaxel was given at a dose of 135-175 mg/m(2) over 3 h at 21-day intervals. Fifteen patients had platinum-resistant disease and 19 had potentially platinum-sensitive disease. Response was documented by physical examination, serial serum CA125 measurement, or radiologic evaluation. RESULTS: An objective response to paclitaxel retreatment was demonstrated in 15 patients (44%), with a median progression-free interval (PFI) of 8.6 months (range 4-17 months). An additional 14 patients (41%) demonstrated disease stabilization, with a median PFI of 7.4 months (range 3-13 months). Overall, retreatment with paclitaxel was well tolerated, with minimal cumulative toxicities, despite repetitive dosing. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that patients with ovarian cancer who relapse after initial treatment with paclitaxel often have disease that is still responsive to the agent. Given its relative lack of cumulative toxicity, retreatment with paclitaxel as a single agent is a reasonable therapeutic option for patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.     

Phase 2 trial of single-agent gemcitabine in platinum-paclitaxel refractory ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: There is a need to find agents with activity in platinum and taxane refractory ovarian cancer to be employed as second-line therapy in the malignancy. Limited clinical trial experience has suggested that gemcitabine possesses activity in this clinical setting. We wished to further define the level of activity of gemcitabine in women with well-characterized platinum/taxane refractory disease. METHODS: Patients with ovarian or fallopian tube cancer or primary carcinoma of the peritoneum, whose disease had either failed to respond to a platinum and taxane treatment, or had responded but the "treatment free interval (TFI)" was < or =3 months, or if the TFI was >3 months and they had been retreated with the agents and not responded (or experienced a TFI of <3 months), were eligible for treatment on this phase 2 single institution protocol. Gemcitabine was administered weekly (as a 1-h infusion) for 3 weeks, followed by 1-week break. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients were treated on this trial. The initial dose level (1250 mg/m(2)/week) resulted in excessive toxicity (fatigue, fever/chills, bone marrow suppression). The modified starting dose (1000 mg/m(2)/week) resulted in a more acceptable side effect profile. Eight patients (16%) with measurable disease (n = 4) or evaluable disease by CA-125 criteria (n = 4) achieved an objective response (median duration of response: 4 months; range 2-13 months). CONCLUSION: Single agent gemcitabine possesses modest, but definite, activity in patients with well-characterized platinum/taxane resistant ovarian cancer. It is reasonable to consider this drug for second-line (or later) treatment in this clinical setting.     

An evaluation of cytotoxicity of the taxane and platinum agents combination treatment in a panel of human ovarian carcinoma cell lines

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the optimum schedule for combination of taxane and platinum agents in human ovarian carcinoma cell lines. METHODS: Cell growth inhibition was determined by the standard MTT assay and an IC(50) was calculated for docetaxel, paclitaxel, cisplatin, and carboplatin in seven human ovarian cancer cell lines (CAOV-3, OVCAR-3, SKOV-3, ES-2, OV-90, TOV-112D, and TOV-21G). The IC(50) was defined as the drug concentration required for a 50% reduction in optical density. Cytotoxicity assays were performed with four sequential combinations of a taxane and a platinum compound. In each combination, cell lines were treated with the appropriate IC(50) of the drugs for varying time increments between 3 and 24 h. Controls were no drug, each agent alone and the combination of both. Results were obtained via manual cell counting with a hemocytometer. RESULTS: The inhibitory concentration to achieve 50% cell death (IC(50)) was determined for each compound in each cell line. The IC(50) ranged from 0.8 to 1.7 nM, 0.7 to 1.8 nM for docetaxel and paclitaxel, respectively, and 17.4 to 25.7 microM, 15.1 to 25.7 microM for cisplatin and carboplatin, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study the combination of docetaxel plus cisplatin was considerably more active in vitro than any of the other taxane plus platinum agent combinations evaluated in the panel of human ovarian cancer cell lines. In vitro activity was similar to previously report clinical studies comparing taxane and platinum combination regimens. This suggests the combination of docetaxel with cisplatin will have enhanced clinical activity compared to the paclitaxel plus carboplatin regimen.     

Experience with single-agent paclitaxel consolidation following primary chemotherapy with carboplatin, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine in advanced ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: Twelve cycles of single-agent paclitaxel have been demonstrated to prolong progression-free survival in women with advanced ovarian cancer whom achieved a clinical complete response to a primary platinum/paclitaxel chemotherapy regimen. This trial was conducted to compare the toxicity and disease-free interval of 3 cycles vs. 12 cycles of paclitaxel consolidation in patients treated with an intensive three-drug front-line regimen of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine. METHODS: Following cytoreductive surgery, 26 ovarian cancer patients received primary chemotherapy with carboplatin (AUC = 5, day 1), paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2) over 1 h, day 1), and gemcitabine (800 mg/m(2), day 1 day 8), with treatment repeated every 21 days x 6 cycles. The first 13 patients (group A) received three additional cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2) over 1 h every 21 days). The second set of 13 patients (group B) also received three cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2) over 1 h every 21 days) and then received nine additional cycles of paclitaxel (135 mg/m(2) over 1 h every 21 days) consolidation therapy. The change from 3 cycles to 12 cycles of consolidation therapy for group B was made following the published results of GOG 178. RESULTS: In group A, all 13 patients completed three courses of consolidation therapy. One patient experienced grade 3 neutropenia and two patients exhibited both grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Grade > or = 2 neuropathy developed in 3 patients (23%). In group B, 9 of the 13 patients whom were intended to receive 12 total cycles of paclitaxel consolidation were able to complete the program. There was no grade 3-4 neutropenia or anemia in this population, although 1 patient developed grade 3 thrombocytopenia. Grade > or = 2 neuropathy developed in 7 patients (54%). Although not a randomized experience, median progression-free interval was 76 weeks for group B, and 47 weeks for group A. CONCLUSION: Single-agent paclitaxel consolidation therapy can be administered for 12 cycles following first-line carboplatin, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine induction therapy, but there is considerable risk for development of a moderately severe peripheral neuropathy.     

Weekly low-dose carboplatin and paclitaxel in the treatment of recurrent ovarian and peritoneal cancer

OBJECTIVES: Weekly paclitaxel alone has moderate activity in the salvage treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer and is associated with a favorable toxicity profile. Combination paclitaxel and carboplatin is a well-established first-line regimen for ovarian cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate weekly low-dose paclitaxel and carboplatin in recurrent ovarian or peritoneal cancer. METHODS: Patients with recurrent ovarian or peritoneal cancer previously treated with between one and four chemotherapeutic regimens were eligible. Patients had measurable or assessable disease defined by clinical exam, radiographic studies, or serum CA-125 greater than 75 U/ml. One cycle of treatment consisted of carboplatin at an area under the curve of 2 and paclitaxel at 80 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 on a 28-day cycle. Clinical responses were defined by established criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included in this intent-to-treat study. The median number of prior treatment regimens was 2 (range 1 to 4). The overall response rate was 82.8% (16 complete clinical responses, 8 partial responses). Among 8 platinum-refractory patients, the response rate was 37.5%, while 21 platinum-sensitive patients had a 100% response rate. Median time to progression was 13.7 months among platinum-sensitive patients and 3.2 months among platinum-refractory patients. Overall median time to progression was 11.5 months and median-duration of response was 9.9 months. Hematologic toxicity was common (32% grade 3 neutropenia, no grade 4 neutropenia, 14.2% grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia) and managed by treatment delay, dose reduction of paclitaxel, or discontinuation of carboplatin. CONCLUSION: Weekly low-dose carboplatin and paclitaxel has significant activity in both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer with acceptable toxicity that is easily managed by dose adjustment.     

Results of reinduction therapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the treatment results and toxicity of a retreatment regimen of paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with ovarian cancer relapse. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 241 consecutive patients with primary epithelial ovarian cancer receiving paclitaxel and a platinum analogue as first-line treatment was performed. Relapse treatment of platinum-sensitive patients consisted of paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) over 3 h followed by carboplatin at an area under the concentration-time curve of 5, repeated every 3 weeks. RESULTS: Forty-three patients with relapse were treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin after a median progression-free interval from the end of first-line chemotherapy of 15.8 months (range 6.0-41.7 months). In patients with evaluable disease the overall response rate was 84% (95% CI: 68.0-93.8%). The progression-free survival and overall survival from start of relapse treatment were a median of 9.7 months (range 1.4-26.9 months) and 13.1 months (range 4.5-35.5 months), respectively. In a multivariate Cox analysis independent prognostic factors for progression-free survival after first relapse were response to relapse treatment (P = 0.002, hazard ratio = 13.9) and time to first recurrence (P = 0.016, hazard ratio = 0.167). The planned treatment was accomplished by 67% of patients. Grade 4 neutrocytopenia over 1 week was observed in 9.3% of patients. Grade 1-2 peripheral neuropathy was reported in 30% of patients. Only 1 patient had her paclitaxel dose attenuated because of grade 4 neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Retreatment with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer relapse yielded a high response rate and encouraging progression-free survival and overall survival. Paclitaxel-carboplatin reinduction therapy is generally well tolerated and the toxicity is manageable.     

A phase II trial of high-dose hydroxyurea administered parenterally in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma refractory to platinum

Verschraegen CF, Kudelka AP, Loyer E, Edwards CL, Freedman RS, Kavanagh JJ. A phase II trial of high-dose hydroxyurea administered parenterally in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma refractory to platinum. Int J Gynecol Cancer 1998; 8 : 494–498.
This phase II study was designed to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of an intravenous infusion of hydroxyurea in patients with ovarian cancer in which previous chemotherapy with platinum failed. Another phase II study of paclitaxel was run in the same patient population. Twenty-six patients with measurable ovarian cancer were entered in the hydroxyurea phase II study at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Treatment consisted of a loading dose of 2,100 mg/m² of hydroxyurea followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of 16,800 mg/m² over 24 h repeated every 3 weeks. Patients with disease unresponsive to hydroxyurea could then be crossed over to paclitaxel. Disease in one patient responded, but the patient refused further treatment with hydroxyurea. Disease in 3 was stable. The median survival time was 8.8 months. The main toxic effect was neutropenia, with 31% of patients experiencing grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. No episodes of neutropenic fever were observed. Twenty seven percent of patients presented with anemia and thrombocytopenia. Other side effects were all lower than grade 2 and included gastrointestinal dysfunction (35% of patients), alopecia (12%), dermatitis (12%), headache (8%), and stomatitis (4%). We conclude that high-dose hydroxyurea administered parenterally as a single agent over 24 h is not active in patients with platinum-refractory ovarian cancer but is subjectively well tolerated.     

Topotecan in Platinum- and Paclitaxel-Resistant Ovarian Cancer

Objective:The purpose of this study was to define the response rate and toxicity of topotecan in patients with ovarian cancer resistant to first-line therapy.Methods:Twenty patients with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer were enrolled in a phase I/II protocol, and an additional 16 patients were treated following protocol closure at Washington University Medical Center. The starting dose of topotecan was 1.25 mg/m²/day given intravenously over 30 min for 5 consecutive days. Patients were eligible for response evaluation if they completed more than one cycle of topotecan. All patients were evaluated for toxicity.Results:Of 28 patients eligible for response evaluation, 26 were resistant to both platinum and paclitaxel prior to treatment with topotecan. There were four partial responders and no complete responders for a total response rate of 14% (95% confidence interval: 4 to 33%). All responders had exhibited primary resistance to both platinum and paclitaxel. Myelotoxicity was the major toxicity, with 92% of patients experiencing Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and 67% experiencing GOG grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. Other toxicity was minimal and easily managed. Fifty percent of patients receiving more than one cycle of topotecan tolerated a dose equal or greater to the starting dose.Conclusions:Topotecan exhibits activity in patients with ovarian cancer resistant to both platinum and paclitaxel. Further study is warranted in less heavily pretreated patients and in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.     

A phase I study evaluating the safety and pharmacokinetics of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin in relapsed ovarian cancer

This phase I study sought to determine the toxicity profile, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of giving carboplatin every 3 weeks and paclitaxel weekly in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer. Eligible patients with relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer and prior treatment with platinum- and paclitaxel-based therapy were treated with an escalating regimen of carboplatin (day 1) at an area under the curve (AUC) of 4-6 and 1-h infusions of paclitaxel (days 1, 8, and 15) at 50-80 mg/m(2) cycled at 3-week intervals. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed on the first day of cycles 1 and 2. All patients had a platinum-free interval of greater than 6 months from the most recent platinum treatment. A total of 77 cycles were administered to 16 patients, with a similar median number of cycles per patient at each dose level varying from 4.6 to 5.3. Febrile neutropenia and grade 4 thrombocytopenia were the dose-limiting toxicities at dose levels 3 and 4 after the third cycle, with no mucositis, nausea, vomiting, or peripheral neuropathy observed greater than grade 2. The maximum tolerated dose of carboplatin was an AUC of 5 and 80 mg/m(2) for paclitaxel. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed a marginal statistical difference with regard to reduced systemic paclitaxel concentration after cycle 2 compared with cycle 1 (P= 0.06). Of nine patients evaluable for a radiographic response, the response rate was 66.6% with a complete response of 33.3%. All five patients with nonmeasurable disease achieved a biochemical response. The combination of carboplatin given every 3 weeks at an AUC of 5 and 1-h weekly paclitaxel at 80 mg/m(2) is a feasible and reasonably well-tolerated regimen and may have significant antitumor activity in relapsed ovarian cancer patients.     

Phase I study of alternating doublets of topotecan/carboplatin and paclitaxel/carboplatin in patients with newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate topotecan with carboplatin in an alternating doublet with carboplatin and paclitaxel in first-line ovarian cancer. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed stage III/IV ovarian cancer were studied. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of topotecan (cycles 1, 3, 5, 7) in an alternating doublet regimen was determined through standard dose escalation in cohorts of three; doses of carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] 4 to 5) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2), cycles 2, 4, 6, 8) were fixed. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined only for cycle 1 as febrile neutropenia, prolonged grade 4 granulocytopenia, grade 4 thrombocytopenia, > or =grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity, or failure to recover in < or =7 days. The use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) to permit further dose escalation was also studied. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients received 142 cycles of topotecan/carboplatin. Hematologic DLTs included grade 4 neutropenia (59 events, 42% of cycles) and thrombocytopenia (32 events, 23% of cycles). Granulocytopenia was generally short-lived, and only 2 cases of febrile neutropenia occurred. The MTD was 1.0 mg/m(2)/day topotecan and carboplatin AUC 4, alternating with 175 mg/m(2) paclitaxel and carboplatin AUC 4. Although G-CSF effectively managed myelosuppression, thrombocytopenia developed in later cycles, limiting further topotecan dose escalation. The median progression-free survival was 20.5 months, and elevated pretreatment CA-125 levels normalized in 29 of 34 (85%) patients. CONCLUSION: The establishment of a reasonably well-tolerated alternating doublet regimen, coupled with evidence of antitumor activity, provides the basis for further investigation of topotecan in first-line therapy of ovarian cancer. Topotecan (1.0 mg/m(2) daily for 3 days) was chosen for further evaluation in a phase II study.     

Survival following the documentation of platinum and taxane resistance in ovarian cancer: a single institution experience involving multiple phase 2 clinical trials

OBJECTIVES: There are very limited data in the oncology literature regarding the survival of women with both platinum and taxane-refractory ovarian cancer. METHODS: To examine this issue, we retrospectively reviewed the survival of patients treated on one (or more) of four previously reported nonrandomized single-agent phase 2 trials (topotecan, liposomal doxorubicin, gemcitabine, docetaxel), involving women with well-characterized platinum/taxane-resistant ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancers. Following their most recent treatment with both classes of agents, patients must have either not responded to therapy or experienced a treatment-free interval of <3 months before documented disease progression. RESULTS: The median survival of the 111 patients (median age 61) included in this analysis was 6 months (range 1-37 months). Whereas 36 patients (32%) survived for <4 months, 30 patients (27%) lived for > or =12 months following documentation of resistance to both platinum and taxane therapy. CONCLUSION: With currently available antineoplastic drug therapy of platinum/taxane-resistant ovarian cancer, overall survival is relatively short, but a substantial minority of patients can be anticipated to live for periods in excess of 1 year. It remains uncertain whether such unexpectedly prolonged survival results from a biological response to chemotherapy or simply reflects the natural history of disease in a subset of patients with this malignancy.     

Triplet combination of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel in previously treated, relapsed ovarian and peritoneal carcinoma: an experience in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine, carboplatin, and paclitaxel (GCP) combination as salvage therapy in patients with relapsed ovarian or peritoneal cancer who had previously received platinum-based chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with progressive ovarian or peritoneal carcinoma who had previously received platinum-based chemotherapy were enrolled. Gemcitabine was administered at 800 mg/m(2) as a 30-min intravenous infusion on days 1 and 8; carboplatin (AUC of 5) and paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) were administered as 60-min and 3-h intravenous infusions, respectively, on day 1. Treatment cycles were repeated every 3 weeks for a maximum of nine cycles. RESULTS: Twenty patients (ovarian carcinoma, 19; peritoneal carcinoma, 1) received this triplet regimen as salvage therapy. All the patients had previously received at least one platinum-based regimen for chemotherapy and 17 of them had received platinum plus paclitaxel. The median number of previous regimens was 2 (range, 1-4), and the median platinum-free interval was 9 months (range, 1-18). A total of 130 cycles were administered with a median of six cycles per patient (range, 3-9). The overall response rate was 75%, including 12 complete responses (60%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 36.1-80.9) and three partial responses (15%; 95% CI, 3.2-37.9). The other five patients showed stable disease (25%; 95% CI, 8.7-49.1). The median duration of the progression-free survival was 6.5 months (range, 3-20). Myelosuppression was the main toxicity, with leukopenia being the most prominent (grade 3/4 toxicity in 35% patients), followed by thrombocytopenia in 20% patients. In addition, 35% patients had grade 3 anemia. All the toxicities were manageable and the patients recovered fully. Among non-hematological toxicities, the only notable one was grades 2 and 3 hepatic toxicity seen in two and one patients, respectively, necessitating a decrease in the paclitaxel dose in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: GCP combination is an effective salvage chemotherapy in patients with heavily pretreated and relapsed ovarian and peritoneal cancer. The significant side effects of myelosuppression and hepatic toxicity were of moderate severity and manageable.     

TP、PTP及CAP化疗方案治疗上皮性卵巢癌的比较

目的探讨进口紫杉醇(泰素)与铂类联合化疗方案(TP)、国产紫杉醇(紫素)与铂类联合化疗方案(PIP)治疗上皮性卵巢癌的疗效及毒性,并与环磷酰氨、阿霉素及铂类方案(CAP)进行比较。方法对1993年12月至1999年4月采用TP、PIP及CAP化疗方案治疗的卵巢癌患者进行回顾性分析。泰素组(TP组)22例、紫素组(PTP组)18例,CAP组38例。结果泰素组有效率为55.6％,紫素组有效率为71.4％;紫杉醇作为一线用药有效率为88.9％,CAP作为一线用药有效率为55.9％。紫杉醇的毒副作用有造血功能抑制、消化道症状、脱发、外周神经炎、肌肉、关节疼痛,其中2例出现Ⅲ度外周神经损伤。结论TP或PTP作为一线用药疗效高于CAP,国产及进口紫杉醇在疗效及副作用上无明显差异。     

白蛋白结合型紫杉醇联合铂类或异环磷酰胺治疗复发性卵巢癌的疗效及安全性分析

目的:观察白蛋白结合型紫杉醇联合铂类或异环磷酰胺治疗复发性卵巢癌的临床疗效及毒副反应。方法:回顾分析我院46例复发性卵巢癌患者接受含不同制剂紫杉醇的联合化疗的疗效及安全性。26例铂敏感复发患者分别采用白蛋白结合型紫杉醇或溶剂型紫杉醇联合铂类化疗,20例铂耐药复发患者采用白蛋白结合型紫杉醇或溶剂型紫杉醇联合异环磷酰胺方案,每21天为1疗程,直至完全缓解后再巩固2个疗程或疾病进展或出现不可耐受的不良反应。比较患者间临床效果、毒副作用及预后差异。结果:铂敏感复发患者中,白蛋白结合型紫杉醇组的完全缓解率显著高于溶剂型紫杉醇组(60%vs 18.8%,P0.05);两组的客观缓解率分别为90%、75%。铂耐药复发患者中,白蛋白结合型紫杉醇组的完全缓解率显著高于溶剂型紫杉醇组(16.7%vs 0%,P0.05);两组的客观缓解率分别为66.7%、57.1%。铂敏感复发患者中,白蛋白结合型紫杉醇组及溶剂型紫杉醇组的中位无进展生存时间(PFS)分别为10.25、7.5个月(P0.05);铂耐药复发患者中白蛋白结合型紫杉醇组及溶剂型紫杉醇组的中位PFS分别为7.8、5.6个月(P0.05)。4组患者的不良反应主要表现为骨髓抑制和胃肠道反应,铂敏感、铂耐药患者中白蛋白结合型紫杉醇组及溶剂型紫杉醇组各种严重不良反应的发生率均无显著差异。结论:与溶剂型紫杉醇比较,含有白蛋白结合型紫杉醇的联合化疗方案治疗铂敏感或铂耐药复发性卵巢癌均有更高的完全缓解率,可有效延长PFS,且不额外增加严重毒副反应的发生率。     

Phase II study of gemcitabine and weekly paclitaxel in recurrent platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the activity of gemcitabine and weekly paclitaxel in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with platinum-resistant disease and prior treatment with paclitaxel received treatment with paclitaxel 80 mg/m(2) IV over 60 min, followed by gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) IV administered on days 1, 8, and 15. Cycles were repeated every 4 weeks. RESULTS: All patients had platinum-resistant disease and all had received prior treatment with paclitaxel. Patients were heavily pretreated as the median number of chemotherapy regimens for recurrent disease was 2 (0-3). The overall response rate was 40% (95% confidence intervals (24%, 58%) and 37% of patients achieved stable disease. The median time to progression was 5.7 months (95% CI, 4.6, 8.5) and median overall survival 13.1 months (95% CI, 10.6, 15.9). More than 50% of patients were alive at 12 months, including six patients (17%) who were alive at 24 months. Treatment was well tolerated. Grades 3-4 neutropenia occurred in 17 patients (48.5%), grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 7 (20%), grade 3 anemia in 3 (8.5%). The most common serious non-hematological toxicities were nausea (14%), vomiting (14%), and fatigue (34%). CONCLUSIONS: The regimen of weekly paclitaxel and gemcitabine exhibits significant activity in heavily pretreated patients, is well tolerated, and is associated with encouraging survival. This regimen should be considered as a treatment option in patients with chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer.     

Carcinosarcoma of the ovary treated with platinum and taxane: the memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience

INTRODUCTION: Due to the rarity of ovarian carcinosarcomas, the optimal chemotherapeutic regimen to treat this aggressive disease is yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to determine the response rate, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival of patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma who were treated with the combination of platinum and a taxane as first-line chemotherapy. METHODS: We identified all patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma who received a combination of platinum and taxane either after initial tumor resection or as neoadjuvant therapy. Data extracted from the medical records included residual tumor after surgery, number, type and dose of chemotherapy cycles, tumor response, and survival outcome. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2005, 30 patients were identified for analysis. Twenty-four patients had stage III disease, 5 had stage IV disease, and 1 had stage II disease. All patients underwent surgical resection and 17 (57%) were cytoreduced to less than 1 cm. Twenty-eight patients received chemotherapy after surgery, and 2 patients received chemotherapy before surgery. Twenty-four patients (80%) received carboplatin and paclitaxel, 3 (10%) received carboplatin and docetaxel, and 3 (10%) received cisplatin and paclitaxel. Twelve (40%) had a complete response, 7 (23%) a partial response, 2 (7%) stable disease, and 9 (30%) progression of disease. The median time to progression for responders was 12 months. With a median follow-up of 23 months, the median overall survival was 43 months for survivors. The 3- and 5-year survival rates were 53% and 30%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combination of platinum and a taxane is a viable first-line treatment option for patients with ovarian carcinosarcoma.