title: Phase II evaluation of a 3-day infusion of topotecan in patients with recurrent ovarian or primary peritoneal cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy and toxicity profile in patients treated with topotecan at 2.0 mg/m2/day x 3 days every 3 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligibility criteria included patients with recurrent primary peritoneal or epithelial ovarian cancer with > or =6 months elapsed from time of prior platinum treatment. Patients were required to have a performance status of < or =2 and normal hepatic and renal function. Response to therapy and toxicity was assessed using standard criteria. Chi-square and Student's t tests were used as appropriate. Survival was assessed with Kaplan-Meier method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 40 patients enrolled were assessable for response. The mean age of the patients was 63.2 years (range 43-85). Median time to progression from initial treatment was 11.8 months. A total of 286 cycles of chemotherapy were administered with an average of 7.1 cycles per patient. Overall median time to progression (TTP) with 3-day topotecan treatment was 21 weeks (range 6-43 weeks). Of the 33 patients with measurable disease, 24% (11-42%, 95% CI) demonstrated a response. Seven patients had CA-125 evaluable disease with a response of 43% (10-89%, 95% CI). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 16 weeks (range 12-21 weeks, 95% CI). Median overall survival was 106 weeks (range 76-117 weeks, 95% CI). Assessment of toxicity by patient showed 90% demonstrating grade 3/4 neutropenia with the vast majority being uncomplicated. No severe non-hematological toxicity was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of topotecan as a 3-day regimen is feasible with demonstrable activity and tolerable toxicity. Critical comparison to the 5-day regimen in a randomized fashion is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. th2135@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Janet S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Rader
authors.forename: Randall
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gibb
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Mutch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005185:Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019772:Topotecan / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019772:Topotecan