title: Efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine and pegylated liposomal Doxorubicin in recurrent platinum-resistant/refractory epithelial ovarian cancer.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey. azizk6@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Aziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karaoglu
authors.forename: Ulku Yalcintas
authors.initials: UY
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ozkan
authors.forename: Mehmet Emin
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kalender
authors.forename: Suleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alici
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Coskun
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gumus
authors.forename: Gokhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Celenkoglu
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Er
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sevinc
authors.forename: Suleyman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Buyukberber
authors.forename: Necati
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Alkis
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benekli
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: C506643:liposomal doxorubicin; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D010984:Platinum; D004317:Doxorubicin; D000093542:Gemcitabine