A phase I trial of gemcitabine and topotecan in previously treated ovarian or peritoneal cancer: a Gynecologic Oncology Group study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination of gemcitabine and topotecan in women with previously treated epithelial ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer. METHODS: Patients with recurrent or persistent cancer after treatment with a platinum and paclitaxel-containing regimen were eligible for this study. Initial treatment was gemcitabine at a dose of 800 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 and topotecan at a dose of 0.5 mg/m(2) on days 2-5, with cycles repeated every 28 days. Dose escalations were planned first for topotecan (Cohort I, Dose Levels 1-5) then for gemcitabine (Cohort II, Dose Levels 6-9) until the MTD was reached. RESULTS: Ten patients received a total of 29 cycles. When none of the first four patients could complete therapy as prescribed due to toxicity, doses for each drug were reduced by 1 day. The next six patients were treated at the modified schedule of gemcitabine days 1 and 8 and topotecan days 2-4 (Dose Level -1). Despite this modification, dose-limiting toxicities including neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and stomatitis occurred at Dose Level -1, and the study was closed early. CONCLUSIONS: At both the initial dose schedule and an attenuated schedule, the combination of gemcitabine and topotecan produced dose-limiting toxicities in women with previously treated epithelial ovarian or peritoneal cancer.