Concurrent radiation therapy and irinotecan in stage IIIB cervical cancer.
The present study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent radiation therapy and irinotecan in patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer. Fifteen patients with no prior radiation therapy and chemotherapy were enrolled in the study. These patients received 50 Gy of external radiation to whole the pelvis, 50 Gy with an additional dose of 6-10 Gy to the parametrium and 1 or 2 sessions of intracavitary Cesium-137. Weekly intravenous infusion of 40 mg/m2 irinotecan was given for 5 cycles during the course of radiation therapy. Of 14 evaluable patients, 4 (28.6%) achieved complete response and 7 (50.0%) achieved partial response. Treatment-related toxicity included grade 1 & 2 anemia, grade 1 & 2 leucopenia, grade 1 & 2 neutropenia and 7.1 per cent grade 3 diarrhea. No grade 4 toxicity or treatment-related death occurred in the present study.


CONCLUSIONS
Irinotecan is a promising new cytotoxic agent in treatment concurrently with radiation therapy in newly diagnosed locally advanced cervical cancer. This modality of treatment appeared to be effective with acceptable toxicity.
Suntornpong
Nan
N
Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
Pattaranutaporn
Pittayapoom
P
Chanslip
Yaowalak
Y
Thephamongkhol
Kullathorn
K
D000328:Adult; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018196:Carcinoma, Adenosquamous / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*
D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002166:Camptothecin