title: Weekly administration of topotecan-paclitaxel as second-line treatment in ovarian cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the weekly administration of topotecan combined with paclitaxel in pretreated advanced ovarian cancer patients; our objectives were to determine efficacy, toxicity and survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  The chemotherapy agents, topotecan and paclitaxel were administered on a weekly basis for 3 consecutive weeks, every 28 days. The plan was to give three courses (each course included three once-weekly infusions). The dose of topotecan was 1.75 mg/m(2) and of paclitaxel 70 mg/m(2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  From January 2004 until January 2006, 45 patients were enrolled in this multicenter trial; 44 patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. The median age was 60 years old (range 39-82 years) and performance status was 0-2. Thirty-nine patients were in stage III and 5 in stage IV. All patients had been pretreated with carboplatin or cisplatin in combination with paclitaxel. Complete and partial responses were seen in 39% of the patients, stable disease in 43% and progressive disease in 18%; median survival time was 9 months, range 2-24+ months, (95% CI: 7.9-10.2). There was a notable absence of grade 3 toxicity except for neutropenia in 11% of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of topotecan and paclitaxel administered on a weekly basis is a well-tolerated chemotherapy schedule. The response rate of 39% is quite high for patients with pretreated ovarian cancer.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Oncology, Errikos Dunant Hospital, Semitelou 2A, 115 28, Athens, Greece. dr-gps@ath.forthnet.gr
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Stathopoulos
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Malamos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aravantinos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rigatos
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Christodoulou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stathopoulos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Skarlos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012074:Remission Induction; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D019772:Topotecan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019772:Topotecan; D017239:Paclitaxel