A randomized phase II study of paclitaxel with carboplatin +/- amifostine as first line treatment in advanced ovarian carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Will amifostine (A) protect against chemotherapy-induced neuro- and myelotoxicity.


METHODS
Ninety ovarian cancer patients were randomized to receive standard paclitaxel + carboplatin without (PC) or preceded by amifostine 740 mg/m(2) (PC + A).


RESULTS
The mean baseline values of hemoglobin, leukocyte, and platelets were slightly lower in the amifostine group, but the mean percentual decrease of these parameters after each treatment cycle showed no difference between both arms. Symptoms of neurotoxicity remained absent in 40% PC vs. 49% PC + A cycles; sensory neurotoxicity grade I occurred in 45% vs. 48% and grade II in 12% PC vs. 2% of PC + A cycles (overall P < 0.001). Nausea grade II was reported in 2% vs. 6% (P = 0.007) and vomiting grade II in 1% of PC vs. 8% PC + A cycles (P < 0.001). Amifostine was temporarily interrupted in five patients due to hypotension, but no dose reductions were indicated. Quality of life questionnaires showed no difference in neurotoxicity scores between both study arms at treatment completion. The median progression-free survival was 16 vs. 22 months (n.s.) for PC and PC + A patients. In a pooled analysis of four randomized studies, amifostine diminished the risk of developing neurotoxicity grade II-III (Odds Ratio 0.3, 95% confidence interval 0.15-0.63, P < 0.05), but had no effect on the risk for bone marrow toxicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Amifostine shows only minor but significant activity in diminishing neurotoxicity without preventing paclitaxel + carboplatin-induced bone marrow toxicity.
De Vos
F Y F L
FY
Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Groningen, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
Bos
A M E
AM
Schaapveld
M
M
de Swart
C A M
CA
de Graaf
H
H
van der Zee
A G J
AG
Boezen
H M
HM
de Vries
E G E
EG
Willemse
P H B
PH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004999:Amifostine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D016190:Carboplatin; D004999:Amifostine; D017239:Paclitaxel