title: A randomized study of sequential versus alternating combination chemotherapy in advanced ovarian carcinoma.
abstract: The concept of using either alternating or sequential combination chemotherapy with non-cross-resistant combinations was tested in a randomized trial including 301 previously untreated patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The sequential schedule consisted of CAF (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil) followed by PH (cisplatin, hexamethylmelamine) in nonresponders, CAF- greater than PH (n = 157), and the alternating regimen consisted of CAF/PH (n = 144). With a median observation time of 54 months, no statistically significant differences were found between the pathologically complete response (PCR) rates of 17% and 16%, respectively, nor were there any statistical differences in median disease-free survival for PCR patients (CAF- greater than PH 34+ months and CAF/PH 26+ months), in overall survival (28 and 24 months, respectively), or in time to treatment failure (10 and 11 months). The overall estimated cure rate was 13%. An equal degree of myelosuppression was seen with the two regimens, whereas neuro- and nephrotoxicity were more pronounced when PH was given sequentially to CAF than with the alternating schedule. We conclude that the sequential and the alternated use of doxorubicin- and platinum-based regimens yield equivalent results and that other approaches should be investigated to improve treatment effects.
authors: Department of Oncology ONK, Finsen Institute, Denmark.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Lund
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hansen
authors: H H
authors: HH
authors: Hansen
authors: H K
authors: HK
authors: Thomsen
authors: B L
authors: BL
authors: Sørensen
authors: N C
authors: NC
authors: Nielsen
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Lundvall
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006585:Altretamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin; D006585:Altretamine; D005472:Fluorouracil