title: Antineoplastic agents in the management of ovarian cancer: current status and emerging therapeutic strategies.
abstract: The intent of this review is to critically examine the status of the current chemotherapeutic management of ovarian cancer and possible future directions. Standard systemic chemotherapy includes a platinum agent (cisplatin or carboplatin) and a taxane (paclitaxel or docetaxel), a strategy that has not changed in more than a decade. Phase-III-trial data have revealed the superior efficacy of intraperitoneal cisplatin, compared with systemic platinum delivery, in small-volume residual advanced ovarian cancer, but in general this approach is associated with greater toxicity. Several regimens have been shown to be active in recurrent and platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, but an optimal management strategy has not been defined. Although 'targeted therapeutic approaches' are currently being explored in this disease, with the important exception of anti-angiogeneic agents, to date, limited biological and clinical activity have been demonstrated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecological Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. mmarkman@mdanderson.org
authors.forename: Maurie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Markman