Evidence for a graft-versus-tumor effect in refractory ovarian cancer.
OBJECTIVE
A 31-year-old woman suffered a 4th relapse of epithelial ovarian cancer refractory to several cytotoxic drugs including platinum, paclitaxel, and topotecan.


METHODS
Sequential high-dose chemotherapy with autografting (three courses) led to a minor response of short duration. In order to induce a graft-versus-tumor effect, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) from an HLA-identical sibling donor, after dose-reduced conditioning, was performed in January 2001.


RESULTS
On day +51 the patient developed acute grade II graft-versus-host disease of the skin and gastrointestinal tract, which was successfully treated by prednisolone. Six months after allogeneic HSCT a complete disappearance of the tumor could be seen. Unfortunately, 14 months later a 5th relapse was diagnosed.


CONCLUSIONS
This case demonstrates, on the one hand, that allogeneic HSCT is able to induce complete remissions (CR) in chemoresistant ovarian cancer. On the other hand, despite achievement of CR after allografting, the chance of cure remains limited for these patients.
Hänel
M
M
Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
Bornhäuser
M
M
Müller
J
J
Thiede
C
C
Ehninger
G
G
Kroschinsky
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D012074:Remission Induction; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome