Phase II study and long-term follow-up of patients treated with taxol for advanced ovarian adenocarcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Based on the results of our phase I study that demonstrated the antitumor activity of taxol in a previously treated patient with ovarian cancer, a phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of taxol in patients with metastatic ovarian cancer and to evaluate further the toxicity of taxol in this group of patients.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients with metastatic ovarian cancer received taxol (180 to 250 mg/m2) as a 24-hour continuous infusion. A premedication regimen was used to reduce the likelihood of an acute hypersensitivity reaction.


RESULTS
Six of 30 assessable patients demonstrated complete responses (one patient) or partial responses (five patients; 20%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6% to 34%; range, 2 to 30 months). Additionally, one patient had a less than partial objective response (2 months), and two patients had stable disease for 6 and 15 months. Those responders had a median survival of 27 months, and the nonresponders had a median survival of 6 months (P = .0001). Myelosuppression was the most significant toxicity. Other adverse effects included alopecia and peripheral neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Taxol has significant activity in ovarian cancer and should be studied in combination with other active agents earlier in this disease.
Division of Medical Oncology, Albert Einstein Cancer Center, Bronx, NY 10461.
A I
AI
Einzig
P H
PH
Wiernik
J
J
Sasloff
C D
CD
Runowicz
G L
GL
Goldberg
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D017239:Paclitaxel