Very high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral stem cell support in advanced ovarian cancer.
20 patients with stage III-IV ovarian cancer were submitted to induction chemotherapy (ICT) (40 mg/m2 cisplatin, days 1-4; 1.5 g/m2 cyclophosphamide, day 4; every 4 weeks for 2 cycles) followed by intensified CT (100 mg/m2 cisplatin, day 1; 650 mg/m2 etoposide, day 2; 1.8 g/m2 carboplatin by 24 h infusion, day 3). Haematological support consisted of autologous peripheral stem cells (APSC) and bone marrow (ABM) transplant (T) in 16 and 4 patients, respectively. All patients were evaluable for toxicity and 19 for pathological response (PR), one patient dying of systemic mycosis after ABMT. Severe (grade 3-4) non-haematological toxic effects were gastrointestinal (100%), neurological (10%) and hepatic (10%). PR was observed in 84% of patients (complete response 37%, partial response with microscopic residual disease 26%, partial response with macroscopic residual disease 21%). Five year overall survival was 60% and progression-free survival was 51% with 9 patients still disease-free (DFS). APSCT significantly reduced the duration of aplasia compared with ABMT, and toxicity was acceptable in those patients undergoing APSCT. The prolonged DFS in patients showing PCR suggests that this new approach may have a therapeutic impact.
Benedetti-Panici
P
P
Department of Gynaecology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
Greggi
S
S
Scambia
G
G
Salerno
M G
MG
Baiocchi
G
G
Laurelli
G
G
Menichella
G
G
Pierelli
L
L
Foddai
M L
ML
Serafini
R
R
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002945:Cisplatin