Lack of efficacy of 24-h infusional topotecan in platinum-refractory ovarian cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group trial.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a more convenient topotecan administration schedule in the second-line treatment of advanced platinum-refractory ovarian cancer.


METHODS
The Gynecologic Oncology Group conducted a Phase II trial of 24-h infusional topotecan (8.5 mg/m(2)), repeated every 3 weeks in 26 patients with platinum-refractory ovarian cancer (failure to respond to initial platinum-based treatment or development of recurrent disease within 6 months of completion of chemotherapy).


RESULTS
Grade 4 neutropenia (85% of patients) and thrombocytopenia (12%) were the major toxicities encountered. Of the 25 patients evaluable for response, only a single patient experienced an objective response (4%).


CONCLUSIONS
When employed at this dose and schedule (24-h infusion every 3 weeks), topotecan has minimal second-line activity in platinum-refractory ovarian cancer.
Markman
M
M
Department of Hematology/Medical Oncology, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Blessing
J A
JA
DeGeest
K
K
Morgan
M
M
Look
K Y
KY
Herzog
T J
TJ
Rose
P G
PG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019772:Topotecan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019772:Topotecan; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin