A pilot study of whole body hyperthermia and carboplatin in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.
The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of whole body hyperthermia (WBH) to carboplatin (CBDCA) can induce responses in patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. 16 pretreated patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were entered on a Systemic Hyperthermia Oncological Working Group (SHOWG) study; (14 patients were eligible with 14 evaluable for toxicity and 12 for response). The patients were treated with WBH (Aquatherm) 41.8 degrees C x 60 min in combination with carboplatin (CBDCA) (area under the curve (AUC) of 8) every 4 weeks. Disease status was evaluated every two cycles. Patients were treated for a maximum of six cycles. One patient had a complete response (CR) and 4 had a partial response (PR). 4 patients had stable disease (SD). 3 patients had progressive disease (PD). 2 patients were unevaluable: 1 had a bowel obstruction shortly after her first treatment; the second patient achieved a CR, but only had one treatment secondary to an idiosyncratic reaction to sedative drugs. 2 patients entered on study were ineligible, as they did not meet criteria for platinum resistance; 1 entered a CR and 1 had SD. Dose-limiting toxicity, which required CBDCA dose reductions, was grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Other toxicities included neutropenia (grade 3/4), and nausea and/or vomiting. Consistent with preclinical modelling, these results suggests that 41.8 degrees C WBH can overcome platinum resistance in ovarian cancer. These observations suggest further investigation of the therapeutic potential of WBH in a group of patients who historically fail to respond to salvage therapies is warranted.
Westermann
A M
AM
The Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Grosen
E A
EA
Katschinski
D M
DM
Jäger
D
D
Rietbroek
R
R
Schink
J C
JC
Tiggelaar
C L
CL
Jäger
E
E
Zum Vörde sive Vörding
P
P
Neuman
A
A
Knuth
A
A
Van Dijk
J D
JD
Wiedemann
G J
GJ
Robins
H I
HI
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016190:Carboplatin