Activity of weekly paclitaxel in patients with advanced endometrial cancer previously treated with both a platinum agent and paclitaxel

PURPOSE: The aim of this report is to describe the potential clinical utility of the weekly administration of paclitaxel in patients with endometrial cancer previously treated with a platinum agent and paclitaxel (delivered on an every 3-week schedule). METHODS: We briefly describe the clinical courses of three women with recurrent endometrial cancer who had prior exposure to platinum and paclitaxel, and who were subsequently treated with weekly paclitaxel in an effort to relieve significant cancer-related symptoms. RESULTS: In these individuals, the weekly administration of paclitaxel was reasonably well tolerated. There was evidence of both objective and subjective improvement in the status of the malignant process. CONCLUSION: The weekly administration of paclitaxel is a rational management approach in women with metastatic or recurrent endometrial cancer who have previously received treatment with both a platinum agent and paclitaxel. This delivery strategy should be further explored through the conduct of well-designed clinical trials, both in the primary and secondary chemotherapeutic management of this malignancy.