Combination chemotherapy for high-risk gestational trophoblastic tumour.
BACKGROUND
Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) includes gestational trophoblastic tumour and hydatidiform mole. Many women of reproductive age are affected by this disease although its incidence differs by geographical location. A number of chemotherapy regimens are used for treating the disease, such as methotrexate, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide (MAC), methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, melphalan, hydroxyurea and vincristine (CHAMOC), etoposide, methotrexate and actinomycin (EMA) plus cyclophosphamide and vincristine (CO) (EMA-CO), etoposide, methotrexate and actinomycin (EMA) plus etoposide and cisplatin(EP) (EMA-EP). The efficacy of these drugs has not been systematically reviewed.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy and safety of combination chemotherapy in treating high-risk GTT.


METHODS
Electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMB, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and CBM were carried out. Four journals were handsearched and other searching methods were used for identifying more studies.


METHODS
The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs of combination chemotherapy for treating high-risk GTT. Patients with placental-site trophoblastic tumour (PSTT), who had received chemotherapy in the previous two weeks, or patients with chemotherapy intolerance were excluded.


METHODS
Two investigators independently collected data using a data extraction form. Meta-analysis was not performed and the review was conducted as a narrative review.


RESULTS
One study with 42 participants was included in this review. It indicated that a MAC regimen was better than a CHAMOCA regimen for high-risk GTT because of lower toxicity. The quality of the study was unclear.


CONCLUSIONS
The methodological limitations of the included study prevent any firm conclusions about the best combination chemotherapy regimen for high-risk GTT. High quality studies are required.
Xue
Y
Y
Zhang
J
J
Wu
T X
TX
An
R F
RF
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000188:drug therapy; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011247:Pregnancy; D018245:Trophoblastic Tumor, Placental Site / Q000188:drug therapy; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D003609:Dactinomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002955:Leucovorin; D006918:Hydroxyurea; D008727:Methotrexate