Three-consecutive-day topotecan is an active regimen for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to determine the response rate and toxicity of topotecan administered Days 1-3 every 21 days for recurrent epithelial cancers of the ovary, peritoneum, or fallopian tube. A 3-day regimen may be more convenient and less expensive than a 5-day schedule.


METHODS
Patients with recurrent epithelial cancer of the ovary, peritoneum, or fallopian tube who had adequate hepatic, renal, and hematologic function were eligible for participation. Topotecan (2 mg/m(2)) was administered for 3 consecutive days every 21 days. Response was measured clinically and serologically. Granulocyte colony stimulating factors (GCSF) were not utilized prophylactically, but could be added under specific conditions.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients with recurrent ovarian cancer whose median age was 63 (range 32-84) received 165 cycles of topotecan (median = 6; range 2-8) and are evaluable for toxicity. The median number of prior regimens was 1. Topotecan was administered on schedule in 96.6% of cycles. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was seen in 29.1 and 23.6% of courses, respectively; but only 3.4% of cycles required GCSF support (6 cycles for 2 patients). Grade 4 thrombocytopenia was rare (1% of cycles). Nonhematologic toxicity was mild. The response rate for 28 evaluable patients was 32.1% (10.7% complete response (CR) and 21.4% partial response (PR)); stable disease was seen in 17.9% of patients. The median progression-free interval (PFI) for all patients was 15.5 weeks (range 5-40). Eighteen platinum-sensitive patients demonstrated a 43.4% response rate (12.5% CR and 31.3% PR); stable disease was documented in 18.8%. The median PFI for platinum-sensitive patients was 18.5 weeks (range 5-40).


CONCLUSIONS
Topotecan is an effective regimen with acceptable toxicity for recurrent ovarian cancer when administered for 3 consecutive days (2 mg/m(2)) every 21 days. It can be delivered on schedule without GCSF support in the vast majority of patients.
Brown
John V
JV
Gynecologic Oncology Associates, Hoag Memorial Hospital Cancer Center, Newport Beach, CA 92663, USA. iebbrown@cox.net
Peters
William A
WA
Rettenmaier
Mark A
MA
Graham
Cheri L
CL
Smith
Michael R
MR
Drescher
Charles W
CW
Micha
John Paul
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005185:Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D000069585:Filgrastim; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019772:Topotecan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor; D019772:Topotecan; D000069585:Filgrastim