No rules without exception: long-term complete remission observed in a study using a LH-RH agonist in platinum-refractory ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Second-line chemotherapy in platinum/paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer induces an objective response in <15% and third-line chemotherapy results in responses less than 10%. Chemotherapy always results in side effects with the risk of a low quality of life. Endocrine therapy is used world-wide among chemo-resistant ovarian cancer. Tamoxifen is a standard palliative treatment in many centers. LH-RH (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) agonists have also demonstrated activity among patients with ovarian cancer in several studies with response rates of 9-12% and disease stabilization in 15-26% of these women.


METHODS
In this retrospective study 32 patients with ovarian cancer who had relapsed after platinum/paclitaxel-based first-line chemotherapy and had exhausted all standard treatments received LH-RH analogue Leuprorelin depot 3.75 mg sc once a month until tumor progression.


RESULTS
One patient (3%) had a complete response, with remission time over 3 years. Two patients (6%) reached partial response with remission time of 3 and 4 months. Four patients (12%) remained stable for a mean time of 7 months (range 4-12 months). The remaining 25 patients (78%) had progressive disease. The treatment was well tolerated, and no major toxicity has been reported.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that LH-RH agonist Leuprorelin has only a limited effect in patients pretreated with platinum-based chemotherapy.
Paskeviciute
Ligita
L
Department of Oncology, Finsen Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Roed
Henrik
H
Engelholm
Svend
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists*; D006801:Humans; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012074:Remission Induction; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D016729:Leuprolide