Carboplatin alone vs carboplatin plus epidoxorubicin as second-line therapy for cisplatin- or carboplatin-sensitive ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to analyze the benefit/toxicity profile of a second-line treatment with carboplatin alone or carboplatin plus another non-cross-resistant drug (epidoxorubicin) in ovarian cancer patients sensitive to cisplatin-based chemotherapy at first-line treatment.


METHODS
We conducted a randomized clinical trial. Women with epithelial ovarian cancer FIGO Stage II--IV who had a complete or partial response to first-line treatment with cisplatin or carboplatin-based regiments and subsequently progressed or relapsed more than 6 months after discontinuation of first-line treatment were eligible for the study. A total of 190 subjects entered the study. They were randomly allocated to either 300 mg/m(2) of carboplatin every 28 days for five cycles (95 patients) or 120 mg/m(2) of epidoxorubicin and 300 mg/m(2) of carboplatin every 28 days for five cycles (95 patients).


RESULTS
A complete response was reported, respectively, in 32 (36%) women allocated to carboplatin alone and in 28 (31.8%) of those allocated to carboplatin plus epidoxorubicin. The corresponding figures for partial response were 18 (20.2%) and 26 (29.9%). Comparing the frequency of complete response, partial response, no change, and progression, the differences between the two groups were not significant (chi(2)(3) 5.10, P = 0.16). The median duration of response was 16 months in the carboplatin alone and 20 months in the carboplatin plus epidoxorubicin group (P = not significant). The 3-year percentage of survival was 29% in the carboplatin alone and 42% in the carboplatin plus epidoxorubicin group; this difference was not statistically significant. The frequency of leukopenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia grade 3-4 was higher in the epidoxorubicin plus carboplatin than in the carboplatin alone group. Alopecia G3 was present in 88% of women treated with epidoxorubicin plus carboplatin.


CONCLUSIONS
The general results of this study do not show any marked differences in response to second-line treatment among women treated with single-agent (carboplatin) or multiagent (carboplatin plus epidoxorubicin) schedules. Toxicity, particularly hematological, was more relevant in women treated with the multiagent schedule.
Bolis
G
G
I(a) Clinica Ostetrico Ginecologica, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Scarfone
G
G
Giardina
G
G
Villa
A
A
Mangili
G
G
Melpignano
M
M
Presti
M
M
Tateo
S
S
Franchi
M
M
Parazzini
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015251:Epirubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015251:Epirubicin; D016190:Carboplatin