title: Phase I study of gemcitabine and liposomal doxorubicin in relapsed ovarian cancer.
abstract: Twenty-three patients were enrolled in a phase I study conducted to determine the maximum tolerated doses (MTD) of combined liposomal doxorubicin (CAE) and gemcitabine (GEM) in relapsed ovarian cancer patients. A total of 82 courses are evaluable, with a median number of three cycles administered per patient (range 2-8). GEM was administered on days 1 and 8 by 30-min intravenous infusion immediately after CAE given by 60-min intravenous infusion on day 1; cycles were repeated every 21 days. The starting doses were CAE 20 mg/m(2) and GEM 600 mg/m(2). Following dose levels were 20/800; 20/1,000; 30/800; 30/1,000; 35/800, and 35/1,000 for CAE and GEM, respectively. The MTD was reached at dose level 5, with febrile neutropenia and thrombocytopenia as dose-limiting toxicities. After the MTD, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was administered in 15% of cycles. Non-hematological toxicity was mild and manageable. All patients are so far evaluable for response. Among them, 5 partial responses (21.7%; 95% confidence interval, CI: 4.9-38.5), 5 disease stabilizations (21.7%, 95% CI: 4.9-38.5) and 13 progressions (56.6%, 95% CI: 36.4-76.8) have been registered. These results warrant further research in a phase II study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferrandina
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garganese
authors.forename: M Giovanna
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.forename: Domenica
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.forename: M Giuseppina
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Farnetano
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mancuso
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scambia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D008081:Liposomes; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000093542:Gemcitabine
chemical_list: D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D006454:Hemoglobins; D008081:Liposomes; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D000093542:Gemcitabine