Liposomal doxorubicin in ovarian, peritoneal, and tubal carcinoma: a retrospective comparative study of single-agent dosages.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative activity and tolerance of liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent ovarian, peritoneal, and tubal carcinoma at an initial dose of 40 or 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks.


METHODS
A retrospective single-institution study was performed on patients who received liposomal doxorubicin from 1/97 to 12/00. Demographic data, liposomal doxorubicin dose, dose reductions, response, and progression-free and overall survival were recorded.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight patients, 38 treated at 40 mg/m(2) and 40 treated at 50 mg/m(2), were identified. There was no difference with respect to patient age, performance status, percentage of patients who were platinum resistant or paclitaxel resistant, or tumor bulk. The response rate in this highly resistant population was 13.5 and 7.7% for liposomal doxorubicin at 40 and 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks, respectively. Stable disease was observed in 49 and 51% of patients treated with liposomal doxorubicin at a dose of 40 and 50 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks, respectively. The progression-free survival for patients with responding and stable disease was similar. Dose reductions were required in 27.5% of patients treated at 50 mg/m(2) versus no patients treated at 40 mg/m(2) (P < 0.001). Treatment delays due to toxicity were required in 32.5% of patients treated at 50 mg/m(2) versus 16% of patients treated at 40 mg/m(2) (P = 0.14).


CONCLUSIONS
Liposomal doxorubicin at a dose of 40 mg/m(2) appears to be as active as liposomal doxorubicin at a dose of 50 mg/m(2) in ovarian, peritoneal, and tubal carcinoma and is better tolerated based on the frequency of dose reductions and treatment delays.
Rose
P G
PG
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
Maxson
J H
JH
Fusco
N
N
Mossbruger
K
K
Rodriguez
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005185:Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008081:Liposomes; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D008081:Liposomes; D004317:Doxorubicin