Phase II evaluation of topotecan and navelbine in patients with recurrent ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer

ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and toxicity profile in patients with recurrent ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer treated with topotecan at 2.5 mg/m² days 1 and 8 plus vinorelbine at 25 mg/m² days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks.Materials and methodsEligibility criteria included patients with recurrent primary peritoneal or epithelial ovarian cancer with either platinum-resistant or platinum-sensitive disease. Patients were required to have a performance status of ≤ 2 and normal hepatic and renal function. Response to therapy and toxicity were assessed using standard criteria. Chi square and Student's t-tests were used as appropriate. Survival was assessed with Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsAll 40 patients enrolled were assessable for response. The median age of the patients was 58 years (range 30–82). Median treatment-free interval was 4.0 months. A total of 216 cycles of chemotherapy were administered with a median of 5.0 cycles per patient. Overall median TTP with this treatment regimen was 19 weeks (range 2–136 weeks). The response rate was 30% overall, and the response for platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant patients was 44% (95% CI:22–69%) and 18% (95% CI:5–40%) respectively. Median progression-free survival was 3.0 months (range 1–9 months). Median overall survival was 16.4 months (range 1.5–51.7 months). Assessment of toxicity by patient showed 58% demonstrating grade 3/4 neutropenia with the vast majority being uncomplicated. No severe non-hematological toxicity was observed.ConclusionAdministration of topotecan and navelbine is feasible with demonstrable activity and tolerable toxicity. This regimen may be considered especially in platinum-sensitive patients if a non-platinum based doublet is desired.