Outpatient taxol and carboplatin chemotherapy for suboptimally debulked epithelial carcinoma of the ovary results in improved quality of life: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Phase II Study (E2E93).
OBJECTIVE
The combination of a platinum compound and paclitaxel is a standard treatment for ovarian cancer. In this cooperative group trial, paclitaxel and carboplatin were combined in an outpatient schedule to determine the clinical benefit, toxicities, and effect on quality of life.


METHODS
Women with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage II to IV epithelial ovarian cancer with suboptimal residual disease (> 1 cm) were eligible. Paclitaxel, 150 mg/m2, was given over 3 hours, followed by carboplatin (area under the curve, 5). This was repeated every 4 weeks for six cycles. Quality of life was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Ovarian Cancer scale. Fifty-nine patients were enrolled, 38 with measurable disease and 21 with evaluable disease.


RESULTS
The response rate (complete response + partial response) was 72%. The progression-free interval for patients with measurable disease was 17.5 months and for patients with evaluable disease was 11.1 months. Median survivals were 30.1 months (measurable) and 25.7 months (evaluable). Toxicities were modest. Quality-of-life scores improved significantly during therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This regimen is ideal for most women with advanced ovarian cancer because it is convenient and well tolerated, with response and survival comparable to those of more aggressive regimens. Overall quality-of-life scores and physical well-being scores improved throughout this outpatient treatment regimen for most patients.
Schink
J C
JC
University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, USA.
Weller
E
E
Harris
L S
LS
Cella
D
D
Gerstner
J
J
Falkson
C
C
Wadler
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011788:Quality of Life; D013019:South Africa; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel