title: Topotecan in the treatment of gynecologic cancer.
abstract: Topotecan (Hycamtin; SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Philadelphia, PA), a derivative of the topoisomerase I inhibitor camptothecin, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in May 1996 for the salvage treatment of ovarian cancer. It has shown promising clinical activity in a variety of solid tumors, including cervical cancer. Phase II and III trials in patients with cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer have been conducted using a regimen of a single 30-minute intravenous topotecan infusion (1.5 mg/m2/d) for 5 days, repeated every 21 days. Significant responses, both partial and complete, have been observed in 14% to 21% of patients, with stable disease achieved in as many as 61%. In advanced or recurrent cervical cancer, partial response or stable disease was achieved in 59% of phase II trial patients. Myelosuppression is the major dose-limiting toxicity associated with topotecan. In general, the severity of myelosuppression shows a positive correlation to the magnitude of exposure to topotecan. Support with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor may partially ameliorate myelosuppressive effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D019772:Topotecan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D059004:Topoisomerase I Inhibitors; D019772:Topotecan