Combined PEG liposomal doxorubicin and gemcitabine are active and have acceptable toxicity in patients with platinum-refractory and -resistant ovarian cancer after previous platinum-taxane therapy: a phase II Austrian AGO study.
OBJECTIVE
Platinum resistance is a significant problem in patients with ovarian cancer. The aim of this phase II study was to define the response rates, the progression-free survival and the toxicity profile of the combination of PEG liposomal doxorubicin (L-DXR) and gemcitabine (GEM).


METHODS
Thirty one patients with histologically confirmed platinum-refractory or -resistant epithelial ovarian cancer were scheduled to receive 6 cycles of L-DXR 30 mg/m(2) on day 1 as well as GEM 650 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 every 28 days.


RESULTS
The median number of chemotherapy cycles given was 4. The mean dose intensity for L-DXR and GEM on day 1 was 96% and 97%, respectively. The mean dose intensity for GEM on day 8 was 93%. The overall response rate was 33% (10 of 30 evaluable patients; 20% complete responses). The median progression-free survival was 3.8 months, and the median overall survival was 15.8 months, respectively. Toxicity was acceptable. One quarter of patients developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia, but none developed febrile neutropenia. Palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) grades 2 and 3 occurred in 13% and 3% only, respectively, and no grade 4 PPE was observed. Grades 1 to 3 stomatitis was found in 58% of patients (10% grade 3).


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of L-DXR and GEM is an active and acceptably tolerated option in the treatment of patients with platinum-resistant and -refractory ovarian cancer. Dose reductions seem advisable in the case of > or =grade 2 stomatitis and/or PPE > or =grade 2.
Petru
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 14, A-8036 Graz, Austria. edgar.petru@klinikum-graz.at
Angleitner-Boubenizek
L
L
Reinthaller
A
A
Deibl
M
M
Zeimet
A G
AG
Volgger
B
B
Stempfl
A
A
Marth
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D000093542:Gemcitabine
C506643:liposomal doxorubicin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D004317:Doxorubicin; D000093542:Gemcitabine