title: Chemotherapy of advanced ovarian epithelial carcinoma with melphalan and levamisole: a pilot study of the Gynecologic Oncology Group.
abstract: Twenty-three patients with Stage III, Stage IV, or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer were treated with a combination of melphalan and levamisole to determine a tolerable dosage schedule, possible adverse effects, and a general estimate of response rate and duration. In seven patients with measurable disease there were four complete responses (57%) with a median duration of 75 weeks. Two of the complete responders have had negative second-look laparotomies while the other two patients have had subsequent progression. Of 16 patients with nonmeasurable disease two have had negative second-look laparotomies and two remain progression free. Thus 8 of 23 patients (35%) had complete responses or remain progression free whereas 4 of 23 patients (17%) have had negative second-look laparotomies. No serious toxicity was encountered. Immunologic monitoring did not indicate significant immunologic reconstitution in these immunosuppressed patients.
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007978:Levamisole / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D011043:Pokeweed Mitogens; D007978:Levamisole; D008558:Melphalan