The role of topotecan as second-line therapy in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
Up to 80% of patients with advanced ovarian cancer will recur following first-line platinum containing chemotherapy. Topotecan has recently been used as a second-line agent in treatment of advanced ovarian disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of topotecan on response rate and progression-free interval on patients with recurrent ovarian cancer who had been treated with platinum-containing first-line chemotherapy.


METHODS
A retrospective review of all cases of recurrent ovarian cancer treated with topotecan was done. Response was determined using radiologic reports (CT scans, ultrasound scans), CA-125 level and the clinical evaluation. Response type was determined using World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.


RESULTS
Between 1998-2000, a total of 43 patients were treated with topotecan. Median age was 57 (range 41-80), 40/43 patients had stage III and IV, 37/43 patients had Grade 3 tumors. Seventeen of 43 patients (39.5%) demonstrated stable disease and 9/43 (21%) patients demonstrated partial response. Median time to response was eight weeks, median progression-free interval was 31 weeks and median time of follow-up and survival was 48 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Topotecan is considered a reasonable option for treatment of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer that have failed previous treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy.
Beshara
N
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa, Canada.
Fung Kee Fung
M
M
Faught
W
W
D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000401:mortality; D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018269:Carcinoma, Endometrioid / Q000401:mortality; D018283:Cystadenocarcinoma, Papillary / Q000401:mortality; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019772:Topotecan / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019772:Topotecan