Optimizing gemcitabine regimens in ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer represents the leading cause of death from gynecologic neoplasms. The chance of response to secondary treatment is currently disappointing; few agents have shown notable activity in recurrent/progressive patients. Among these agents, gemcitabine represents one of the most interesting newer antineoplastic agents, showing significant activity, synergism with cisplatin, and a mild toxicity profile in both platinum-sensitive and platinum-resistant (and also taxane-pretreated) recurrent/progressive patients. Moreover, first-line combination chemotherapy including gemcitabine has shown promising response rates in phase I and II studies. The ongoing phase III, five-arm, randomized Gynecologic Oncology Group Protocol 182/International Collaborative Ovarian Neoplasm 5 study should clarify the clinical impact of the addition of a third drug to the standard paclitaxel plus carboplatin treatment regimen.
Pecorelli
Sergio
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Brescia, Italy. pecorelli@iol.it
Pasinetti
Brunella
B
Tisi
Giancarlo
G
Odicino
Franco
F
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003663:Decision Trees; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000093542:Gemcitabine
D003841:Deoxycytidine; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D000093542:Gemcitabine