Efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine and pegylated liposomal Doxorubicin in recurrent platinum-resistant/refractory epithelial ovarian cancer.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of patients with platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer is a significant problem. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of the combination of gemcitabine and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in patients with platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer.


METHODS
We retrospectively evaluated the activity and toxicity of gemcitabine and PLD combination in 35 patients with recurrent platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer who had been treated and followed up in 7 centers in Turkey between December 2005 and June 2008. The patients received gemcitabine 1.000 mg/m(2) on day 1 and 8, and PLD 25 mg/m(2) on day 1 every 28 days.


RESULTS
A total of 187 cycles (median, 6 cycles) were delivered. An objective response rate of 28,6 % (1 complete, 9 partial response) was achieved. Additionally, 16 patients (45.7 %) had disease stabilization. The median time-to-progression was 6 months (95 % confidence interval, 4-8) and the median overall survival was 17 months (95 % confidence interval, 12-22). Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicities were as follows: leucopenia (14.3%), neutropenia (8.6%), and anemia (2.9%). One febrile neutropenic episode (2.9%) was observed. Non-hematologic toxicity was well tolerated and easily managed and no grade 3-4 palmoplantar erytrodysestesia (PPE) was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The combination of gemcitabine and PLD is an effective and tolerable treatment option, with 74.3 % disease control rate for patients with platinum resistant/refractory ovarian cancer.
Karaoglu
Aziz
A
Department of Medical Oncology, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey. azizk6@yahoo.com
Arslan
Ulku Yalcintas
UY
Ozkan
Metin
M
Kalender
Mehmet Emin
ME
Alici
Suleyman
S
Coskun
Ugur
U
Gumus
Mahmut
M
Celenkoglu
Gokhan
G
Er
Ozlem
O
Sevinc
Alper
A
Buyukberber
Suleyman
S
Alkis
Necati
N
Benekli
Mustafa
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010984:Platinum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000093542:Gemcitabine
C506643:liposomal doxorubicin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D010984:Platinum; D004317:Doxorubicin; D000093542:Gemcitabine