title: [Neoadjuvant chemotherapy of stage IIb or III cancers of the uterine cervix. Long-term results of a multicenter randomized trial of 151 patients].
abstract: Present chemotherapy, with cisplatin combinations, currently offers the possibility of seeking adjuvant therapy in locally advanced and bulky carcinomas of the cervix, which have an unfavorable prognosis (nodal involvement). This initial adjuvant chemotherapy may improve the results of classical pelvic irradiation. From 1982 to 1987, a randomized phase III trial was performed in order to determine the long term effect of induction chemotherapy before irradiation in stage IIb-N1, III, M0 squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix. Radiotherapy (R) for all patients consisted in 50 Gy in the pelvis with a boost by external irradiation of the brachytherapy (cumulative dose of 68 Gy). The chemotherapy regimen (C + R group) was an association of methotrexate, chlorambucil, vincristine and cisplatin, given every 3 weeks, at least two courses were to be given before assessing efficacy and two more courses were given to patients who responded. After a follow up of 5-10 years, 76 patients were fully evaluable in the R arm and 75 in the C + R arm. The response rate (> 50%) to chemotherapy was 42.5% and after completion of treatment, remission rate was 93% in the R arm and 96% in the C + R arm. The disease-free survival was 40% in the C + R group and 35% in the R group, and the median survival was 42 and 45 months respectively (NS). The survival of patients with a complete response at the end of radiotherapy was significantly better in the C + R group when they are responding to chemotherapy, than in R group (P < 0.05). Radiotherapy was not modified whether patients had an initial chemotherapy or not; tolerance was not significantly different between the two groups. Efficacy of induction chemotherapy is an available test for long term results. This approach has the potential for improving the outlook in patients with high-risk primary cancer: earlier use and higher dose intensity of chemotherapy may be associated with a better cytoreduction, and probably a better survival. Further controlled investigations are warranted to confirm the value of adjuvant chemotherapy in cervical cancer.
authors.affiliation: Fondation Bergonié, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chauvergne
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lhommé
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rohart
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Héron
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ayme
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goupil
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fargeot
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: David
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D016019:Survival Analysis; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*
vernacular_title: Chimiothérapie néoadjuvante des cancers du col utérin aux stades IIb et III. Résultats éloignés d'un essai randomisé pluricentrique portant sur 151 patients. Groupe coopérateur de gynécologie de la Fédération nationale des centres de lutte contre le cancer (FNCLCC).