Phase 2 trial of intraperitoneal carboplatin and etoposide as salvage treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

To evaluate the efficacy of intraperitoneal (IP) carboplatin-based therapy as salvage treatment of ovarian cancer, 46 patients with persistent or recurrent ovarian cancer following initial systemic chemotherapy were treated with a regimen of carboplatin (200-300 mg/m2) and etoposide (100 mg/m2) administered on a monthly schedule. A maximum of six courses of therapy was delivered, followed by a response laparotomy. The treatment program was well tolerated, except for bone marrow suppression, with one-quarter of patients developing platelet count depressions to < or = 50,000/mm3, and one-third experiencing hemoglobin levels of < or = 8 g/dl during treatment. Twelve (38%) of 32 patients evaluable for efficacy of the treatment program achieved a surgically documented response, including 8 (25%) complete responses. Of 25 patients whose largest tumor mass at the initiation of therapy measured < or = 0.5 cm, 11 (44%) responded, including 8 (32%) complete responses. We conclude that the IP administration of carboplatin can result in surgically documented responses when used in the salvage setting in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The relative efficacy of carboplatin versus cisplatin when administered by the IP route to patients with ovarian cancer previously treated with platinum-based systemic therapy remains to be defined.     

Carboplatin and etoposide as first-line chemotherapy in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Carboplatin and etoposide are chemotherapeutic agents active in ovarian cancer, previously proved to have a synergistic activity in animal models. The objective of this phase II study was to determine the feasibility and the efficacy of the combination of carboplatin and etoposide in previously untreated patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
Carboplatin, 400 mg m⁻² day 1, and etoposide, 100 mg m⁻² days 1–3 every 4 weeks were administered to 28 patients with advanced stage (III–IV) ovarian cancer and a performance status 0–2 (ECOG scale), as a firstline chemotherapy.
Twenty-three patients were evaluable for response; 15 (65%) (95% CI: 45–81%) responded, 10 (43%) (95% CI: 25–63%) with clinical complete response. Pathologic complete response demonstrated during postchemotherapy laparotomy was noted in 5/23 (22%) (95% CI: 9–42%) patients. The median progression-free interval was 8.5 months, and median survival was 19.5 months. Toxicity, mainly hematologic, was severe. Nine (32%) patients experienced at least one episode of leucopenic fever, which consequently led to toxic deaths in two (7%) patients.
The relatively low response and survival rates with increased toxicity rate are disappointing.     

Phase II study of carboplatin followed by sequential gemcitabine and paclitaxel as first-line treatment for advanced ovarian cancer

The aim of this exploratory phase II study was to evaluate sequential chemotherapy with carboplatin followed by gemcitabine-paclitaxel combination in chemonaive patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The primary objective was to evaluate time to progressive disease (TTPD); secondary objectives included the evaluation of 1- and 3-year survival, response rates, and toxicity. Following initial debulking surgery or biopsy, patients with FIGO stage IIC-IV disease received four cycles of carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) 6 (day 1) every 21 days, followed by four cycles of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 8) and paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) (day 8) every 21 days. A total of 47 patients enrolled, 44 (93.6%) completed the initial four cycles, and 39 patients (82.9%) completed the planned eight cycles. The median and maximum lengths of follow-up were 31.2 and 43.7 months, respectively. Median TTPD was 13.8 months (95% CI, 11.6-21.0 months), and median survival time was 31.2 months (95% CI, 25.2-39.6 months). Survival at 1 and 3 years was 95.7% and 44.2%, respectively. Of the 43 evaluable patients, most (95.3%) of them achieved a CA-125 marker response based on Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG) definition. The partial response rate in the seven patients with measurable disease was 46.4%. Myelosuppression was the major toxicity, with grade 3 and 4 neutropenia observed in 76.6% patients and thrombocytopenia in 12.8% patients. The sequential approach of carboplatin followed by gemcitabine-paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with ovarian cancer is feasible and well tolerated, and depending upon the findings from other major trials, it may merit further evaluation.     

First-line chemotherapy with epidoxorubicin,paclitaxel, and carboplatin for the treatment of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: A combination of carboplatin (CBDCA) and paclitaxel (TAX) is the standard treatment in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients. Epidoxorubicin (EDX) is an active treatment in AOC and exhibits nonoverlapping toxicities with CBDCA and TAX; moreover, when added to platinum-based chemotherapy, it improves long-term survival. We have therefore conducted a phase II study to evaluate the tolerability and antitumor activity of an EDX/TAX/CBDCA (ETC) triplet in AOC patients. METHODS: Patients with histologically confirmed suboptimal stage III-IV ovarian cancer who had not previously received cytotoxic drugs were treated with TAX (175 mg/m(2) in a 3-h iv infusion), CBDCA (AUC 6, Calvert formula), and EDX (75 mg/m(2) iv bolus) all given on day 1 every 28 days for a maximum of six courses on an outpatient basis. EDX dosage was chosen after a pilot phase I study. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were registered, of whom 5 were determined ineligible bacause of age. Forty-two of the 50 are evaluable for response; 27 (64%) achieved a clinical complete response (CR) and 9 (21%) a partial response (PR) for a response rate of 86% (95% CI 71-94%). Thirty-three patients underwent a secondary debulking procedure after a median of 6 courses (range 2-6). Pathological CR and PR were observed in 9 (27.3%) and 21 (63.6%), respectively; among patients with persistent disease a successful cytoreduction (<1 cm) was obtained in 53.8% of patients. At a median follow up of 35.6 months (range 0-55.5) median progression-free survival is 19.5 months and median overall survival is 36 months. The most common adverse effects were G3-4 leukopenia and thrombocytopenia which occurred in 59 and 37% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ETC combination given according to the outlined doses and schedule is highly active in AOC patients with poor prognostic factors and deserves further study.     

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.     

Kinetic modeling and efficacy of intraperitoneal paclitaxel combined with intravenous cyclophosphamide and carboplatin as first-line treatment in ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal (ip) paclitaxel combined with intravenous (iv) carboplatin and cyclophosphamide. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five newly diagnosed patients with Stage IC-IV epithelial ovarian cancer received ip paclitaxel with iv carboplatin and cyclophosphamide as a first-line treatment. Paclitaxel pharmacokinetics was determined during the first cycle on day 1 or 8. RESULTS: This regimen was well tolerated, as abdominal pain and hematological toxicities were minor, while neurotoxicity grade I/II was reported in only 20% and myalgia in 24% of patients and were fully reversible. After treatment 13 of 18 (72%) of the patients had no evidence of disease. At a median follow-up of 30 months patients with residual disease after surgery (n = 10) had a median progression-free survival (PSF) of 13 months; for the optimally debulked group (n = 15) the actuarial PFS was 60% at 48 months. The elimination of paclitaxel from the peritoneal cavity and plasma followed first-order kinetics and was not influenced by adding carboplatin with cyclophosphamide. CONCLUSION: This regimen was well tolerated, with minimal hematologic or neurotoxicity, and allowed the application of a triple-drug schedule without compromising dose intensity. To judge its efficacy, comparison with a standard iv paclitaxel-based schedule should be performed in a formal phase III study.     

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.     

Randomized phase II trial of carboplatin and paclitaxel with or without lonafarnib in first-line treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer stage IIB-IV

Objectives

This study evaluates whether a molecular targeted therapy with the farnesyltransferase inhibitor lonafarnib added to standard chemotherapy in first-line treatment of advanced ovarian cancer (OC) could improve progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Patients and Methods

We performed a prospective randomized phase II study to compare standard therapy carboplatin (C; AUC 5) and paclitaxel (T; 175 mg/m²) in primary advanced OC with or without lonafarnib (L). Lonafarnib was given in a dose of 100 mg orally twice a day during chemotherapy and was increased afterwards to 200 mg up to six months as a maintenance therapy.

Results

105 patients were recruited (53 patients were randomized to receive LTC, 52 to TC). Hematologic toxicity was similar in both arms. Grade 3 and 4 non-hematological toxicity, occurred significantly more often with LTC (23% versus 4%, p = 0.005) and was associated with a higher dropout rate. PFS and OS were not significantly different among both arms. The LTC arm showed inferiority in the stratum with residual tumor of more than 1 cm: median PFS was 11.5 months (95% CI: 7.4-14.2) compared with 16.4 (95% CI: 10.3-40.4) for TC (p = 0.0141; HR = 0.36 (95% CI: 0.15-0.84)) with median OS 20.6 months (95% CI: 13.1-31.0) and 43.4 months (95% CI: 15.7-) for the TC arm (p = 0.012; HR = 0.32 (95% CI: 0.13-0.8)).

Conclusion

The addition of lonafarnib did not improve PFS or OS. Patients with a residual tumor of more than 1 cm had significantly shorter PFS and OS. Incorporation of lonafarnib into future studies for primary therapy of OC is not recommended.     

Phase I feasibility trial of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine in patients with previously untreated epithelial ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of administering a minimum of four cycles of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and gemcitabine (CPG) every 21 days without excessive dose modification or cycle delay in patients with previously untreated epithelial ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal cancer. METHODS: Paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) was given over 3 h followed by carboplatin concentration time curve (AUC) 5 (day 1) and gemcitabine 1 g/m(2) (days 1 and 8) in the first cohort. A second cohort received paclitaxel 135 mg/m(2) over 3 h followed by carboplatin AUC 5 (day 1) and gemcitabine 800 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 8). A maximum of eight cycles was administered. RESULTS: Fourteen patients received 89 cycles during the first cohort. Seven patients experienced 19 hematologic dose-limiting events (DLEs) within the first four cycles, including grade 4 thrombocytopenia (n = 9), febrile neutropenia (n = 3), and omission of gemcitabine on day 8 (n = 7). This exceeded the threshold for nonfeasibility. In the second, less intense regimen, 36 patients were entered. Thirty-one evaluable patients received a total of 200 and median of 6 (range: 2-8) cycles. Thirteen of the thirty-one had 27 DLEs within the first four cycles including grade 4 thrombocytopenia (n = 5), prolonged grade 4 neutropenia (n = 2), febrile neutropenia (n = 2), and omission of day 8 gemcitabine (n = 18). There was one patient death secondary to a wound abscess and febrile neutropenia. Myelosuppression as expected was the dose-limiting toxicity. CONCLUSION: The schedule of paclitaxel 135 mg/m(2) (day 1, 3 h), carboplatin AUC 5 (day 1), and gemcitabine 800 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 8) is feasible, with an acceptable toxicity profile.     

Phase II study of sequential doublets: topotecan and carboplatin, followed by paclitaxel and carboplatin, in patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: Incorporating topotecan into standard platinum/taxane chemotherapy for advanced ovarian cancer has been complicated by myelosuppression. This study evaluated sequential doublets of topotecan and carboplatin, followed by paclitaxel and carboplatin, in newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer patients. METHODS: Forty-five patients (median age, 56 years; range, 38-77 years) with stage III/IV disease and GOG performance status <2 were enrolled and received four cycles of topotecan (1.0 mg/m(2)/day on days 1 to 3) and carboplatin (AUC 4 on day 1), followed by four cycles of paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2) via 3-h IV infusion on day 1) and carboplatin (AUC 5 on day 1). All cycles were 21 days. Antitumor response was assessed after four and eight cycles; patients with clinical complete response (CR) underwent second-look laparotomy for determination of pathologic CR (PCR). Dose reductions were instituted for grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and for grade 3/4 nonhematologic toxicity. RESULTS: Among 41 CA-125 evaluable patients, complete and partial responses were observed in 29 (70.7%) and 11 (26.8%) patients, respectively. Of the 12 clinical CRs (43%) in 28 evaluable patients, 10 patients underwent second-look laparotomy, with 3 PCRs (30%). Median time to progression was 14 months and actuarial survival was 23 months. Neutropenia was the primary toxicity and cause of dose adjustments and delays, including two deaths. CONCLUSION: The antitumor activity observed is comparable with other series, although neutropenic complications were increased. Progression-free and actuarial survivals were slightly inferior. A Phase III trial (GOG 182) of sequential doublets in the reverse sequence is ongoing.     

First-line chemotherapy with weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin for advanced ovarian cancer: a phase I study

OBJECTIVE: The presence of nodal metastases is the most important prognostic factor in cervical cancer. To adjust our therapy based on the true extent of the patient's disease, we performed an extraperitoneal lymph node dissection (EPLND) in all patients with cervical cancer prior to radiotherapy (RT) or radical hysterectomy. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with carcinoma of the cervix underwent EPLND. The value of this procedure as a diagnostic tool for monitoring the extension of the disease was determined. Additionally, EPLND/RT-associated treatment complications were monitored. RESULTS: The combined treatment approach of EPLND with RT or chemotherapy/RT was without major complications. Nineteen patients showed a temperature elevation, but only one patient had a fever of greater than 39.0 degrees C. Fourteen (48.3%) of 29 patients experienced some degree of proctitis or diarrhea and 3 (10.3%) experienced cystitis during the course of RT. No grade 3 or 4 acute or late genitourinary or gastrointestinal toxicities were noted. EPLND changed the clinical management for 6 patients from a radical hysterectomy to RT and for 7 patients from standard-field RT to extended-field RT. Without EPLND these 7 patients would have received RT with standard pelvic fields that would not have treated involved lymph node areas at high risk for subsequent failure. CONCLUSION: Thirteen (44.8%) of 29 patients received a different treatment than would otherwise have been administered with standard treatment planning. Therefore, we suggest that EPLND should be performed in all patients with cervical cancer prior to radical surgery or RT.     

Gemcitabine and oxaliplatin followed by paclitaxel and carboplatin as first line therapy for patients with suboptimally debulked, advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. A phase II trial of sequential doublets. The GO-First Study

OBJECTIVES: Gemcitabine and oxaliplatin are active in epithelial ovarian cancer with minimal overlapping toxicity. We studied the efficacy and toxicity of this combination in patients with advanced ovarian cancer when given prior to carboplatin and paclitaxel. METHODS: Chemonaive patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and measurable disease were eligible for the study. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine 1250 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 on day 8 every 21 days (GO) for 4 cycles. This was followed by carboplatin AUC = 6 and paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 on day 1 every 21 days (CP) for 4 cycles. RESULTS: Twenty patients, median age 62 years (range 39-78), FIGO stages III (16) and IV (4) received treatment. The response rate (RR) after 4 cycles of GO was 80% (95%CI 61-99%) (4 complete responses (CR), 12 partial responses (PR)). Interval debulking surgery was performed in 7 patients (35%). After CP chemotherapy, RR increased to 85% (95%CI 68-100%) (CR = 13, PR = 4). Median time to progression was 14.5 months. Estimated median overall survival was 31.5 months. Toxicities of GO were mild; grade 3/4 nausea in 3 patients (15%) and vomiting in 2 patients (10%), grade 3/4 neutropenia in 5 patients (25%). Grade 2/3 peripheral neuropathy occurred in 5 patients (25%). After sequential administration of CP, grade 2/3 neuropathy occurred in 13 patients (72%). CONCLUSION: The sequential doublet regimen of GO followed by CP resulted in unacceptable neurotoxicity and is not recommended for further study; however, the doublet gemcitabine and oxaliplatin has significant activity in the first line treatment of patients with ovarian cancer.     

奥先达联合紫杉醇或卡铂联合紫杉醇治疗卵巢上皮癌的多中心随机对照初步研究

目的:比较奥先达联合紫杉醇或卡铂联合紫杉醇治疗卵巢上皮癌的疗效和安全性。方法:2010年8月到2012年4月入组了Ⅱ期以上行满意的肿瘤细胞减灭术的卵巢上皮癌患者182例。术后将患者随机分为奥先达组(92例)和卡铂组(90例),分别采用奥先达或卡铂联合紫杉醇方案治疗。奥先达剂量80mg/m2,或卡铂AUC=5,第2天给药;紫杉醇135mg/m2,第1天给药,21天1个疗程。研究两组患者治疗的近期疗效和药物安全性。结果:奥先达组、卡铂组患者完成的治疗周期数分别为5.02±1.63和5.39±1.30。奥先达组化疗第3、6个周期结束时,CA125下降到正常水平的比率分别为80.00%和86.36%,卡铂组为72.88%和86.00%,两组比较均无统计学差异;治疗后两组患者的KPS、QOL评分均明显改善,但两组间比较无统计学差异。奥先达组恶心呕吐发生率为3.26%,卡铂组为5.56%;奥先达组和卡铂的Ⅲ～Ⅳ度白细胞减少的发生率分别为10.87%和23.33%,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组的其他毒性反应发生率无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:奥先达联合紫杉醇治疗卵巢上皮癌近期疗效与卡铂方案相似,但其毒副反应较轻,患者耐受性好。     

Twelve-year follow-up of a randomized trial comparing cisplatin and cyclophosphamide with cisplatin, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

From 1982 to 1984, 131 patients with FIGO stage Ic-IV epithelial ovarian cancer were included in a randomized clinical trial comparing cisplatin 50 mg m⁻² plus cyclophosphamide 600 mg m⁻² (PC regimen) with PC plus doxorubicin 45 mg m⁻² (PAC regimen). Chemotherapy was repeated every 4 weeks for six cycles. The criteria for entry, the characteristics of the elegible patients, the response rates and the toxicities have been previously reported. The study was updated in August 1994 with a median follow-up of 10.5 years (range 10–12 years). In the whole series, the median time to progression is 13 months and the 12-year progression-free survival (PFS) is 18%, whereas the median time to survival is 21 months and the 12-year survival is 21%. By log-rank test survival is significantly related to residual disease after first surgery ( P <0.0001), ECOG performance status (PS) ( P <0.0001), FIGO stage ( P =0.0001) and histologic grade ( P =0.04), but not to type of chemotherapy and age. By Cox proportional hazard model residual disease ( P =0.0004), histologic grade ( P =0.01) and ECOG performance status ( P =0.049), but not FIGO stage, treatment arm and age, are independent prognostic variables for survival. The survival curves are superimposable in the two treatment arms among patients with residual disease <2 cm, whereas there is a trend in favor of the PAC regimen among patients with larger residual disease. By log-rank test PFS is not significantly related to chemotherapy arm. However, it is worth noting that among patients with residual disease >2 cm 12-year PFS is 12.5% for PAC arm, while all patients of PC arm progressed by the sixth year. Conversely, the PFS curves are superimposable in the two treatment arms among patients with residual disease <2 cm.     

Phase II study of carboplatin and cyclophosphamide combination chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer

The efficacy and toxicity of intravenous carboplatin (300 mg/m2) and cycloprosphamide (600 mgs/m2) was evaluated in 44 newly diagnosed patients with advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer. Cycles were administered at four weekly intervals for a total of 6 cycles, and therapy was provided on an out-patient basis without prehydration or forced diuresis. During treatment patients were assessed by physical, gynaecological and radiological examinations. Forty-four patients with a median age of 54 years (range 28-76) were entered into the study. The majority of patients had serous cystadenocarcinoma, 82% had stage III or IV disease and 87% had grade II or III histologic subtype. Optimal debulking surgery was carried out in only 46% of patients. The overall response rate to carboplatin/cyclophosphamide was 73%, with 55% achieving a clinical complete response. The median survival for all patients was 18+ months (range 2-41+). For those patients who received optimum surgery, median survival was 26+ months, compared with 11+ months for those whose lesion could not be completely resected. Treatment was well tolerated by most patients, with significant nausea and vomiting (WHO grade III-IV) observed in only 11% of 226 cycles of therapy. Myelosuppression was acceptale, with a mean nadir white cell count 4.3 x 10(9)/L (range 1.4-9.0) and a mean nadir platelet count of 273 X 10(9)/L (range 39-536) observed on day 21. There were no therapy-related infective episodes. Significant alopecia developed in 4 patients, but significant nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity or neurotoxicity has not been observed in any patients. This study demonstrates that combination carboplatin/cyclophosphamide is well tolerated in women with advanced stage epithelial ovarian cancer and produces overall response rates and median survival similar to those obtained with cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.     

Phase I study of intraperitoneal carboplatin as adjuvant therapy in early ovarian cancer

Early stage poor-risk ovarian cancer patients are at considerable risk for recurrent disease. Adjuvant radio- or chemotherapy has been found to improve disease-free and overall survival. Carboplatin, a second generation platinum, is documented comparable in efficacy to cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The toxicity profile is different from that of cisplatin. Dose-limiting toxicity is myelosuppression. The incidence and grade of renal and neurological toxicity is much lower compared with cisplatin, as is nausea and vomiting. Carboplatin given intraperitoneally (ip) is shown to have a favorable theoretical therapeutic advantage compared with iv administration since the peak peritoneal cavity/peak plasma concentration ratio is 18. Patients with early stage ovarian cancer seem suitable for carboplatin ip treatment. The study was designed to find the maximal tolerated dose (MTD). Three new patients were given two courses at each dose level. The MTD found was confirmed with further patients. Carboplatin was given in 2 liters of glucose via a subcutaneous implantable port without removal of fluid from the cavity. The starting dose was 300 mg/m2. Dose-limiting toxicity was thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Leukocyte and platelet counts were reconstituted within 28 days in all cases. One case of severe but transient nephrotoxicity was observed. MTD was determined to 500 mg/m2.     

Phase II trial of albumin-bound paclitaxel and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor as an immune modulator in recurrent platinum resistant ovarian cancer

BackgroundGranulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) stimulates immunity via recruitment of antigen presenting cells and tumor specific T-cell stimulation. Albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) followed by GM-CSF may enhance antitumor responses and prolong remissions in ovarian cancer. Immune phenotypes present before treatment may identify responders to chemo-immunotherapy.MethodsRecurrent platinum-resistant ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer patients received nab-paclitaxel, 100 mg/m² days 1, 8, 15 followed by GM-CSF 250 μg days 16–26 every 28 days for 6 planned cycles. The primary endpoint was remission duration compared to immediate prior remission. Peripheral blood was evaluated by flow cytometry and interferon-γ ELISPOT.ResultsTwenty-one patients were enrolled. Six patients (29%) achieved a biochemical complete response and 9 (43%) a partial response for an overall response rate of 72%. Median time to progression was 4 months and 10% of patients achieved longer remissions than the immediate prior regimen. Median overall survival (OS) was 16.8 months. Fewer myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) at enrollment significantly associated with complete response (p = 0.05). T-cell responses to IGF1R-p1332–1346 (r = 0.827, p = 0.0003) and IGF1R-p1242–1256 (r = 0.850, p = 0.0001) during treatment correlated with time to progression.ConclusionsNab-paclitaxel combined with GM-CSF demonstrated biochemical responses in a majority of patients, although responses were not sustained. This combination did not demonstrate an advantage in OS over prior studies of nab-paclitaxel monotherapy. Agents that modulate MDSC should be studied as potential adjuvants to therapy. Strategies to expand T cells recognizing tumor-associated antigens biologically significant in ovarian cancer should also continue to be investigated.     

Interferon-gamma in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel as a safe and effective first-line treatment option for advanced ovarian cancer: results of a phase I/II study

We have previously shown that interferon-gamma 1b (IFN-gamma) in combination with cyclophosphamide and cisplatin significantly prolongs progression-free survival in ovarian cancer. In this phase I/II study, we examined if administration of IFN-gamma is also safe in combination with the current standard treatment, paclitaxel and carboplatin. Thirty-four patients with newly diagnosed advanced epithelial ovarian cancer, FIGO stage III/IV, were treated for six to nine cycles with paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] 5) every 3 weeks. IFN-gamma was administered in an escalating dose from 6 days/cycle with 0.025 mg sc up to 9 days/cycle with 0.1 mg sc. As expected, administration of IFN-gamma was associated with flu-like symptoms. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 74% (25 out of 34) of patients. Other side effects, in particular peripheral neuropathies, were within the previously observed ranges for the paclitaxel plus carboplatin combination. Overall response rate (complete or partial response) in patients who received either six or nine doses (0.1 mg) of IFN-gamma/cycle (n = 28) was 71%. IFN-gamma is safe in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel for first-line treatment of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. This combination should be further evaluated as an immunotherapeutic treatment option for ovarian cancer.