Weekly low-dose carboplatin and paclitaxel in the treatment of recurrent ovarian and peritoneal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Weekly paclitaxel alone has moderate activity in the salvage treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer and is associated with a favorable toxicity profile. Combination paclitaxel and carboplatin is a well-established first-line regimen for ovarian cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate weekly low-dose paclitaxel and carboplatin in recurrent ovarian or peritoneal cancer.


METHODS
Patients with recurrent ovarian or peritoneal cancer previously treated with between one and four chemotherapeutic regimens were eligible. Patients had measurable or assessable disease defined by clinical exam, radiographic studies, or serum CA-125 greater than 75 U/ml. One cycle of treatment consisted of carboplatin at an area under the curve of 2 and paclitaxel at 80 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, and 15 on a 28-day cycle. Clinical responses were defined by established criteria.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients were included in this intent-to-treat study. The median number of prior treatment regimens was 2 (range 1 to 4). The overall response rate was 82.8% (16 complete clinical responses, 8 partial responses). Among 8 platinum-refractory patients, the response rate was 37.5%, while 21 platinum-sensitive patients had a 100% response rate. Median time to progression was 13.7 months among platinum-sensitive patients and 3.2 months among platinum-refractory patients. Overall median time to progression was 11.5 months and median-duration of response was 9.9 months. Hematologic toxicity was common (32% grade 3 neutropenia, no grade 4 neutropenia, 14.2% grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia) and managed by treatment delay, dose reduction of paclitaxel, or discontinuation of carboplatin.


CONCLUSIONS
Weekly low-dose carboplatin and paclitaxel has significant activity in both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant recurrent ovarian cancer with acceptable toxicity that is easily managed by dose adjustment.
Havrilesky
Laura J
LJ
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. havri001@mc.duke.edu
Alvarez
Angeles A
AA
Sayer
Robyn A
RA
Lancaster
Johnathan M
JM
Soper
John T
JT
Berchuck
Andrew
A
Clarke-Pearson
Daniel L
DL
Rodriguez
Gustavo C
GC
Carney
Michael E
ME
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D016190:Carboplatin; D017239:Paclitaxel