Salvage chemotherapy of relapsed or high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) with paclitaxel/cisplatin alternating with paclitaxel/etoposide (TP/TE).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel and cisplatin alternating with paclitaxel and etoposide doublet regimen (TP/TE), for salvage of patients with high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).


METHODS
Twenty-four patients with GTN received TP/TE. Sixteen had failed previous chemotherapy including six with cisplatin-based regimens (group A) and eight changed to TP/TE because of prior treatment-induced toxic effects (group B).


RESULTS
In group A, three patients (19%) achieved a complete response (CR) and five (31%) a partial response (PR). All CR and four PR patients remain alive with a median follow-up of 25 months (range 9-48). The eight patients failing TP/TE subsequently died. Thus, the overall survival of the 16 patients in group A was 44% (seven of 16), rising to 70% (seven of 10) if the six patients who had failed prior cisplatin-based chemotherapy were excluded. In group B, four patients were assessable for response (two CR, two PR) and six remain alive (median follow-up 19 months) giving an overall survival of 75%. TP/TE was well tolerated, with only one patient discontinuing therapy because of toxic effects.


CONCLUSIONS
TP/TE is an effective, well-tolerated, salvage treatment for relapsed patients who are heavily pretreated for GTN. Further studies of this regimen are warranted.
Wang
J
J
Department of Health, Charing Cross Hospital Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Centre, Imperial College School of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK.
Short
D
D
Sebire
N J
NJ
Lindsay
I
I
Newlands
E S
ES
Schmid
P
P
Savage
P M
PM
Seckl
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016019:Survival Analysis
D005047:Etoposide; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin